Steven Brant Bryn Mawr Jan 19, 2008 5:59 am

Dear FSB friends,

Back in December, Doug McKenzie-Mohr said... This listserv was set up with a very specific purpose; providing an easy method for program designers to seek assistance from others in their efforts to foster sustainable behavior in their communities. As set out in the listserv guidelines (which are sent out to all subscribers), this listserv is not to be used for general discussions of sustainability -- there are many other forums on the internet for this purpose.

I am of the belief that program designers can benefit from information that leads them to partner with the business world so as to create the most inclusive (ie every socioeconomic players in a community is included) programs possible. I also believe that such programs wide up having access to more resources than they otherwise would. Businesses are, after all, "where the money is" (to paraphrase that old story about how that famous bank robber was asked why he robbed banks, and his answer was "Because that's where the money is."). To those who think the only programs that can foster sustainable development are those that exclude (or are, potentially, even antagonistic towards) the business elements of their communities, I say "Feel free to ignore the information I offer." However, to those whose vision of sustainable behavior is behavior that seeks to reform (and ultimately transform) those community socioeconomic players who have historically been destructive rather than constructive in their behavior, I say "Here's some information that can help you do that." The following two paragraphs comes from The Economist's Special Report on Corporate Social Responsibility which ( I kid you not ) just hit the news stands today...

http://www.economist.com/business/displayStory.cfm?story_id=10491077

"Coca-Cola has identified water conservation as critical to its future as the world's largest drinks company. Las June it announced an ambitious collaboration with World Wildlife Fund, a global environmental organisation, to conserve seven major fresh-water river basins. It is also working with Greenpeace to eliminate carbon emissions from coolers and vending machines. The co-operation is strictly non-financial, but marks a change in out-look. "Ten years ago you couldn't get Coca-Cola and Greenpeace in the same room," says Neville Isdell, its CEO."

"Second, what used to be local community work is increasingly becoming global community work. In the mid-1990's nearly all IBM's philanthropic spending was in America; now 60 percent is outside. Part of this involves a corporate version of the peace corps: young staff get one-month assignments in the developing world to work on worthy projects. The idea is not only to make a difference on the ground, but also to develop managers who understand how the wider world works."

Over the weekend, I will post the Special Report (in separate sections, since it's many-sections long) to this list...

....unless Doug tells me he doesn't think it's appropriate reference material for you all to have. Separate from these business literature-oriented reference materials, additional guidance on "all community stakeholder-oriented program development" - with an emphasis on the important role of Civil Society - can be found on the web site of The UN's CSR initiative, The Global Compact, here (where there are links to specific lists and documents, as the text from that page I've posted below shows)...

http://www.unglobalcompact.org/HowToParticipate/civil_society/index.html

Civil Society in the Global Compact I call on civil society and labour leaders to remain vigilant and engaged, and continue to hold businesses accountable to their commitments. United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon Global Compact Leaders Summit, Geneva, July 2007

The UN Global Compact is a multi-stakeholder voluntary initiative that asks participants, in particular companies, to engage and collaborate with other stakeholders to create a more sustainable and inclusive global economy. Companies joining the Compact make a commitment to incorporate into their business strategy and practices ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Civil society participants agree to work with companies to help advance the principles in business operations and, where possible, through partnership projects. Civil society organizations are an important and integral part of the Global Compact and its goal to effect social change through collective action. The initiative seeks to strengthen and widen the engagement with committed civil society organizations that have an understanding of the ten principles and related expertise particularly in terms of helping companies translate the principles into policies and practice. In this regard, civil society organizations utilize professional and/or field expertise. The current status of civil society participants in the Global Compact Civil society has been participating in the Global Compact initiative from its inception in 2000. Currently almost 400 civil society organizations representing local, regional, and global interests are involved at some level.

Civil society organizations participating in the Global Compact. (link)
Statistics on current civil society participation in the Global Compact. (link)
How to participate in the Global Compact. (link)
Letter to Civil Society. (link)
Frequently Asked Questions. (link)

For more information contact Ms. Olajobi Makinwa UN Global Compact Senior Civil Society Coordinator [email protected]

Here's to the most effective sustainable development programs for our communities possible...

Steve

Steven G. Brant
Founder and Principal
Trimtab Management Systems
303 Park Avenue South, Suite 1413
New York, NY 10010
(646) 221-1933
Skype: stevengbrant
[email protected]
http://www.trimtabmanagementsystems.com