Cambridge University's Programme for Sustainability Leadership organizes seminar on Inclusive Business

For the past 3 years, Cambridge University's Programme for Sustainability Leadership (CPSL) has organized a Business and Poverty Leadership Programme to examine the interrelationship of business and poverty. Launched in association with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and Oxfam, the program aims to assist senior company managers, experienced pacticioners, academic thinkers and NGO representatives to develop an advanced understanding of how, through their mainstream commercial activities, businesses can improve the quality of life of the world's poorest communities. It examines the opportunities and implications for business of entering and operating in emerging markets, as well as examining the economic impact of corporations in developing countries.

From 6-9 December 2009, CPSL will run two seminars in Cambridge, UK: one focused on inclusive business, the other looking at the topic of business innovation in emerging and developing economies.

Inclusive Business: Equitable wealth creation in emerging and developing economies

The 3-day seminar is designed for delegates from industries whose work has a direct interface with the public in emerging and developing country economies and where a strong social license to operate is essential for their business. It focuses on innovative approaches to voluntary co-regulation, community engagement, community beneficiation, designing pro-poor supply chains and supporting small scale entrepreneurs. The value of cross-sector partnerships and a multi-disciplinary approach to the interaction of social, economic and environment sustainability issues are also considered. 

Business Innovation: Equitable wealth creation in emerging and developing economies

The 3-day seminar is designed for delegates developing innovative product/service businesses in emerging and developing country economies to access new ‘bottom-billion’ markets. It focuses on innovative product/process design and marketing using co-creation/base of the pyramid techniques and collaborative value chain enhancement approaches. The value of cross-sector partnerships and a multi-disciplinary approach to the interaction of social, economic and environment sustainability issues are also considered. 

The seminars provide:

 

- An international forum for business leaders, civil servants and NGO representatives to address the challenges and opportunities that inequitable wealth distribution present to both business and wider society
- A peer network of individuals facing similar challenges, with access to thought leaders and leading edge practitioners who understand not only the social implications of sustainable development but also the complexities of the wider economic and environmental agenda
- Practical advice from a team of contributors composed of business leaders and sustainability experts with the necessary track record and management experience to help participants understand and address social sustainability within their organization

The fee for attending the seminar is £3,950 (VAT exempt) per person and includes learning materials, accommodation and meals throughout the event, as well as membership of the University of Cambridge Sustainability Network.