The Sustainability Learning Forum

A Far-reaching Approach to Raising Labor Practices in Agriculture

Miguel Coleta
Philip Morris International

When Human Rights Watch unveiled their research in 2009 on child labor and other labor issues related to tobacco-growing in Kazakhstan, it prompted Philip Morris International (PMI) to rethink the way it was addressing these issues. Although the company already had efforts in place, clearly they were insufficient to gain visibility into these issues and address child labor. This prompted PMI to seek the advice of Verité (a leading NGO in supply chain responsibility) and to adopt a new approach aimed at systematically addressing child labor, resulting in the launch of PMI’s global Agricultural Labor Practices (ALP) program in 2011. more[...]

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A Pioneer for Women's Economic Security

Green Delta Insurance Co. Ltd.

Bangladesh is a developing country in which women comprise more than 52 percent of the total population as well as the fastest-growing segment of the workforce. There exists a nexus between gender equality and economic growth. An example is Nibedita, which is the first comprehensive insurance scheme for women in South Asia. more[...]

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MDGs and SDGs: Are the Concepts Compatible?

Dr. Markus Loewe, German Development Institute

For the last 20 years, the international development debate has been dominated by two trends that seem, at first, to be heading in a similar direction. However, under closer scrutiny, they differ with respect to their focus and underlying philosophies. On the one hand, there is the agenda of reducing poverty in developing countries in its various dimensions, which found its expression in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). On the other hand, there is the idea of sustainability that became popular at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and that, at the Rio+20 summit in 2012, generated a parallel concept to the MDGs: the so-called Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). more[...]

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CSR in Africa

Editorial Team

For many years Africa is the hotspot for hunger and conflicts. But besite all these troubles ether is also a change for change and hope arising. More countries become aware of the ptential CSR has and include corporate responsibility as a fundanetla brickstone for developing citizenship. Our special illustrates variuos aspects. more[...]

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Philanthropy As an Integral Part of CSR

Jeffrey Revels, TMS Group
TMS Group

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) encompasses many different components across a myriad of industries in both the public and private sectors. One of the most demonstrative aspects of CSR involves philanthropy, which not only includes a commitment of monetary support, but a personal involvement in volunteerism, too. These much-cherished values represent the cornerstone of our year in 2012 and future CSR endeavors. more[...]

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Creating Homes – Affordable Housing in India

Katharina Riese, TÜV Rheinland
Svenja Wittkämper, TÜV Rheinland

In recent years there has been a large migration wave from India’s rural regions to the cities. Soon, 40 percent of the Indian population will be living in the country’s urban centers. Due to this fast growth and the large influx of people, cities are having trouble providing adequate living spaces, utilities, and facilities. More than 130 million people – equivalent to 40 to 60 percent of the urban population – are expected to be living in substandard housing. These low-income groups face a broken housing market that hinders them from living in an affordable and quality home. more[...]

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Creating Homes – Affordable Housing in India

Katharina Riese, TÜV Rheinland
Svenja Wittkämper, TÜV Rheinland

In recent years there has been a large migration wave from India’s rural regions to the cities. Soon, 40 percent of the Indian population will be living in the country’s urban centers. Due to this fast growth and the large influx of people, cities are having trouble providing adequate living spaces, utilities, and facilities. More than 130 million people – equivalent to 40 to 60 percent of the urban population – are expected to be living in substandard housing. These low-income groups face a broken housing market that hinders them from living in an affordable and quality home. more[...]

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Addressing Nutritional Challenges Through Micronutrient Fortification

Susan Steinhagen, Nestlé
Nestlé S.A.

Nestlé’s ambition is to be recognized as the leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company, helping to enhance the quality of life of our consumers by bringing the best and most relevant products to people, wherever they are, whatever their needs, throughout their lives. more[...]

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$37.7 Million in Contributions to Strengthen Governance and Economic Growth

World Bank

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Transition Fund recently received $37.7 million from Canada, the United Kingdom, and France to support good governance, sustainable growth, and greater employment opportunities for youth. more[...]

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It Is Time For A Social Stock Exchange

Prof Muhammad Yunus, Yunus Centre

Many of the problems in the world today persist because of a too-narrow interpretation of capitalism. Most businesses today are run based on the assumption that people are selfish and interested solely in maximizing their own profit. This is a very one-dimensional view of humans who in reality are very multidimensional. As much as selfishness is part of us, so is selflessness, but the selfless dimension is not taken into account in economic theory. more[...]

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When Job Earnings are Behind Poverty Reduction

World Bank

Improvement in labor market conditions has been the main explanation behind many of the poverty success stories observed in the last decade – that is the primary conclusion of an analysis of changes in poverty by income source. Changes in labor earnings were the largest contributor to poverty reduction for a sample of 16 countries where poverty increased substantially. more[...]

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Fisheries and the Right to Food

Dr. Olivier De Schutter, UN

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur identifies the challenges facing global fisheries and examines how the individuals most vulnerable to negative impacts (the residents of developing coastal and island countries, (specially lowincome food-deficit countries) can be supported to ensure the progressive realization of the right to food, noting that pursuing a human rights approach is critical to achieving sustainable development in the fisheries sector. more[...] login_required

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African leaders urged to invest in jobs, infrastructure and protecting development gains

African Development Bank (AfDB)

n unprecedented gathering of experts in Kigali, present and former African Heads of State urged business, community and political leaders to help turn the continent’s impressive growth into economic opportunities for ordinary citizens. more[...]

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World Bank President Calls for “Solutions Bank” to Meet Global Challenges

World Bank

World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim today told the Bank’s shareholders he wants the institution to become a solutions Bank that can work with partners and help “bend the arc of history” to eliminate extreme poverty. more[...] login_required

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3 Imperatives for the Next Global Development Agenda

World Resources Institute (WRI)

Can extreme poverty be eliminated in the next 20 years? With much of the world still mired in an economic slump, the question might seem ill-timed. Yet, as heads of state arrive in New York on Monday for the 67th United Nations General Assembly, this goal should be at the top of the agenda. more[...] login_required

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