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2019 Summit Programme Announced

Friday, 15 March 2019 15:48

Business for Peace is pleased to share the programme for the 2019 Summit: Navigating in a World of Imbalance. The Summit aims to provide businessworthy leaders with the knowledge, inspiration, actions and the networks necessary to effectively create social impact through their work.

The Summit will explore different perspectives of imbalances and which role technology and investment can play, all with the objective to identify tangible actions for business leaders. Through deeper understanding of the challenges and through cross-sector conversations, the Summit will offer insight and actionable ideas for how business leaders and investors can play a greater role in driving an inclusive and prosperous future for all.

The Summit takes place 14-15 May 2019 in Oslo, Norway. View the full Summit programme and For invite-only events, you can submit a Request to Attend form as well. The Award Ceremony is open to all members of the public.

Tune in to the 2019 Oslo Business for Peace Award Announcement

Thursday, 14 March 2019 20:01

On March 20, we will announce who will receive the 2019 Oslo Business for Peace Award. Following a global nomination process through our partners, the International Chamber of Commerce, Principles for Responsible Investment, UN Development Programme, and UN Global Compact, our Award Committee of Nobel Laureates has made its selection.

Hear from Raymond Johansen, Governing Mayor of Oslo, Per Saxegaard, Board Chair of Business for Peace, and Fiona Reynolds, CEO of Principles for Responsible Investment, as they share the news.

Tune into our livestream on 20 March at 9:00 CET for the announcement.

Visit to SEKEM

Tuesday, 27 November 2018 16:24

Earlier this month we had the opportunity to visit SEKEM, a comprehensive development initiative founded by the late Dr Ibrahim Abouleish, a 2012 Oslo Business for Peace Award Honouree. Rafik Costandi welcomed us to Bilbeis, Egypt to give us a first-hand look at SEKEM’s operations.

Spanning agriculture, health, education and textiles, SEKEM takes a holistic approach to sustainable development in Egypt, working toward a future where social structures reflect human dignity and all economic activity is conducted in accordance with ecological and ethical principles.

First, we got to see a production facility at NatureTex, SEKEM’s company for organic cotton textiles and garments. Here, a team member is seen weaving carpets from leftover material used in the all-organic clothing production.

Pigeon towers, with their unique design and all natural materials, can be seen all across Egypt. It is an ancient method of keeping pigeons, either in a farm or on the top of a house near green fields. The ones pcitured below are owned by SEKEM.

Lotus was the first company within the SEKEM initiative, founded in 1977. The company processes organic herbs and spices from bio-dynamically cultivated plants. We got to see the factory, including one of their storage facilities.

Next, we toured Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development, established under the umbrella of SEKEM, and inaugurated in 2012, to introduce sustainable development principles to students in Egypt and improve well-being by decreasing threats to the Earth’s natural systems. The University has an entrepreneurial hub and also includes art and music as part of its core programme since, as Dr Abouleish said, “the human is not just intellect.”

Ms Regina Hanel accompanied us in a tour around campus and to the different faculties. We met students from the Engineering faculty who up-cycled this car and made it electric. It can now drive 80 kilometres after five hours of charging.

Thank you to Regina Hanel and the team at SEKEM for the warm welcome and tour!

BfP Foundation Joins Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace

Monday, 12 November 2018 17:37

Business for Peace Endorses the Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace President Macron and the French Government launched the Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace at the Internet Governance Forum on 12 November 2018. This cross-industry initiative supports the call of 25 European governments so far to address state-sponsored cyberattacks. Business for Peace is proud to be one of the initial signatories endorsing the Call.

Cyberspace plays a crucial role in every aspect of our lives and it is the shared responsibility of a wide variety of actors to improve trust, security, and stability in cyberspace. Signatories of the Paris Call affirm their support of an open, secure, stable, accessible, and peaceful cyberspace. The Call underlines the need to enhance broad digital cooperation and recognises the necessity of a strengthened multi-stakeholder approach to reducing risks to the stability of cyberspace, and to building confidence, capacity, and, trust.

See the full text of the Paris Call and a list of signatories thus far here

Business for Peace Foundation partners with Oslo European Green Capital 2019

Thursday, 11 October 2018 12:44

Our foundation is based in Oslo, Norway, so we are delighted to announce that we will be an official partner in Oslo’s upcoming role as the 2019 European Green Capital.

What does that mean? Oslo will work to strengthen the green economy, promote green citizens, and support ambitious green policies. As the capital city of Norway, Oslo has a population of 658,390. It is surrounded by the Marka Forest, a nationally protected area, and the Oslo Fjord, both connected by a number of waterways, and its approach to conserving its natural areas and restoring its waterway network is just one of the many reasons why it won the European Green Capital Award for 2019.

Governed by #businessworthy thinkers, the municipality of Oslo has made tackling climate change a priority. The city aims to cut emissions by 50% by 2020 (as compared to 1990) and wants to be carbon neutral by 2050. Oslo has introduced a range of integrated measures to achieve these ambitious targets, including the promotion of zero emissions transport, and is currently the ‘Electric Vehicle Capital of the World’ with 30% of all vehicles sales involving electric cars.

Given that innovation and the creation of new jobs in the circular economy are featured as hallmark priorities for Oslo’s future, we are proud to hold our annual Business for Peace Award Ceremony and Summit in the city every May. The Summit will be held from May 14-15, 2019, but until then, learn more about Oslo’s selection as the 2019 European Green Capital here.

Insights from the 2018 Summit

Monday, 09 July 2018 17:32

The 2018 Business for Peace Summit brought together business leaders, investors, politicians, academics, and civil society to discuss businesses’ role in accelerating climate leadership and how trust is central to the way forward.

The Summit report, prepared in collaboration with McKinsey, covers how businesses can thrive by embracing sustainability, the role of the finance sector in funding a sustainable future, what’s ahead for the energy sector, and more.

See key insights from Summit speakers such as Christiana Figueres, Convenor of Mission 2020, Matthew Harrington, Global COO of Edelman, Leymah Gbowee, Liberian peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2011, and other thought leaders. Case studies from companies across the world add further insight.

Read the report here

Leymah Gbowee to be Keynote Speaker at 2018 Award Ceremony

Sunday, 17 May 2018 20:53

We’re pleased to announce that Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate and activist, will give the annual State of the Union keynote address on the relationship between business and society at our Award Ceremony on May 16.

Currently, Ms. Gbowee is the Executive Director of the Women Peace and Security Network Africa and a founding member and former Coordinator of the Women in Peacebuilding Program/West African Network for Peacebuilding. Commended for her efforts as a peace activist in Liberia, she led a women’s movement that was pivotal in ending the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003. Having won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, Ms. Gbowee continues her inspiring work, including her efforts to speak on behalf of women and girls around the world.

Learn more about Ms. Gbowee’s story and her activism from this short documentary, produced by The New York Times.

The 2018 Award Ceremony is the highlight of the Business for Peace Summit. Join us as we hear from Ms. Gbowee and celebrate this year’s Honourees: Lori Blaker, CEO of TTi Global, Edgar Montenegro, Founder and CEO of Corpocampo, and Martin Naughton, Founder of Glen Dimplex Group.

The Award will be presented by Award Committee members Ms. Gbowee and Shirin Ebadi, Human Rights Advocate and winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize.

Look back on the 2018 Summit

Sunday, 13 May 2018 21:46

Were you unable to join us in Oslo for this year’s Business for Peace Summit? You can still be #businessworthy and catch up on events from the Summit below. Watch the recordings from the landmarks events of the 2018 Summit below:

Launch of the Oslo Climate Leadership Declaration

May 15, 08:00-10:00 CET

Rococo Banquet Room at Grand Hotel

Business for Peace Lecture with Jamie Oliver and Dr Sandro Demaio

May 15, 14:00-15:00 CET

University Aula, University of Oslo

The Business for Peace Roundtable

Building Trust: Accelerating Climate Leadership

May 16, 11:00-15:00 CET

Sentralen

2018 Award Ceremony

Oslo Business for Peace Award Ceremony

May 16, 17:00-18:30 CET

Oslo City Hall

Also, look back through the live coverage of events provided across our Social Media platforms. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Summit.

H.E. Ms. Amina J Mohammed of United Nations to give address at 2018 Award Ceremony

Sunday, 13 May 2018 20:53

We are pleased to share that our 2018 Award Ceremony will now feature an address from the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Ms. Amina J Mohammed.

In addition to her esteemed presence, the award ceremony will feature other special guests, a curated programme of live musical performances, an interactive installation prior to the ceremony, and the annual State of the Union address, given this year by Nobel Peace Laureate, Ms. Leymah Gbowee. Join us as we recognise this year’s Business for Peace Award Honourees at Oslo City Hall, Wednesday May 16.

Were you unable to join us in Oslo? Watch the recording of the Award Ceremony here.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon to attend this year’s Award Ceremony

Friday, 20 April 2018 12:42

Business for Peace is proud to announce that His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon will attend this year’s Oslo Business for Peace Award Ceremony on May 16 at Oslo City Hall. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon has previously attended Business for Peace events and we are honoured to welcome him back again this year.

The Award Ceremony is the highlight of the annual Business for Peace Summit, celebrating the Oslo Business for Peace Award Honourees. This year’s Oslo Business for Peace Award Honourees are: Lori Blaker, CEO of TTi Global, Edgar Montenegro, Founder and CEO of Corpocampo, and Martin Naughton, Founder of Glen Dimplex Group.

Leymah Gbowee, Peace Activist and winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, will give the annual State of the Union Address on the relationship between business and society. Shirin Ebadi, Human Rights Advocate and winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize, will join Ms Gbowee to hand out the prize. Both are members of the Oslo Business for Peace Award Committee that selects the Honourees for the annual Award.

The Award Ceremony will take place on May 16 at 17:00 in Oslo City Hall. The public is invited to attend but advance registration is required as space is limited.