Today is the International Corporate Philantropy Day (ICPD), hooray!

As I’m writing this, leaders from all over the world are gathering in New York for the ICPD conference, which has been ranked for the fifth consecutive year among the world’s top ten executive events. This is the 8th year of this international advocacy day and during the New York meeting, participants will Weiterlesen »

It’s weekend, but I am willing to bet that you, just like I, have felt your mind wander to work related thoughts today.

This is exactly why you need to sit down and listen to what Nigel Marsh has to say about work-life balance. In his TEDxSydney talk, Marsh shares his idea of a day perfectly balanced between family time, personal time and productivity and explains why this is way too important to leave up to your employer.

In light of recent events in the Middle East, I find this initiative beyond cool. Access is a global movement for digital freedom, one which aims to bring access to internet and other forms of technology for all – especially in countries where Weiterlesen »

As you may have heard, founder of the Grameen Bank and Nobel Peace Prize winner  prof. Muhammad Yunus is being investigated for alleged corruption by the government of Bangladesh. According to a recent article by Nick Stace at The Telegraph, due to his clear stance against corruption in politics Yunus has long been distrusted and opposed by the Bangladeshi government. In his article, Stace voices his support for the ”father of microfinance”, asking readers to join new organisation Friends of Grameen, an initiative by Liam Black, co-founder of Grameen partner Wavelength and Danone. The organization is being chaired by Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and has already gained massive support from world leaders within social business and politics.

The smearing of Yunus’ name has culminated as Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladeshi prime minister, has given credence to unsubstantiated claims of corruption at Grameen. However, not even the government in Bangladesh  can question the enormous impact that microloans have had on poverty in their country. According to a report released by the Microcredit Summit Campaign, a program of the US-based advocacy group RESULTS Educational Fund, nearly 2 million Bangladeshi households involved in microfinance were able to rise above the $1.25 a day threshold between 1990 and 2008. These households include nearly 10 million family members. Read the full report here.

If you would like to sign the Friends of Grameen petition against the treatment of Mohammad Yuns by the Bangladeshi government, click here. Read more articles on Yunus’ work here and the controversy he is currently facing here.

After their Garden collection and the precious ten garments made of organic cotton  which are included in the H&M selection every three months, the textile giant has decided to take on the next giant challenge: Waste.

Recently, the Swedish fashion company launched a new collH&Mection with garments created out of unsold clothes. It is difficult to perceive the collection, fittingly named ”Waste”, as anything else than a reaction to the PR disaster following the discovery last year that the New York H&M shops were simply throwing away all clothes which hadn’t been sold.

The Waste collection will contain 10 garments, and since last week it can be purchased both online and in H&M shops. Simultaneously, the line is being marketed on the H&M website through a giant sustainability campaign which emphasises the importance of using organic sotton, recycled polyester and organic linen. Read more about the campaign anf recycled garments in this recent Guardian article.

Though the motive for the campaign could be seen as mildly questionable, what can hardly be questioned is that it is about time for garment producers to adopt this concept. Every year, 12,7 million tons of textile waste is produced and only a fraction of this mass turns up in second hand shops.

Pedagogics in absurdum: In “Bank Bailouts Explained”, ex-banker Omid Malekan lets two animated bears discuss how the U.S. government bails out banks and how it all went awry to start with, have a look:

As an individual, it can be hard to make your voice heard. Sometimes, the best way  is to band together with other likeminded people to achieve a greater, collective impact.

Change.org give people the tools to do just that – to identify problems, mobilize people, and create real change. At their website, you can swiftly and easily start a campaign about the cause your’e passionate about.

Here’s how it works: Weiterlesen »

Does your company have outstanding corporate responsibility and sustainability practices? Would you like to gain recognition from your peers and experts as a global leader in CSR, receive acknowledgement for your company’s commitment to responsible business practice and boost your reputation for ethical best practice?

Then you should be aware that Weiterlesen »

Who are the most likely to inspire you to do something great? Exactly, people who Do great things! This is the simple reson why I find the idea of Do Lectures so compelling.

Once a year, a group of people are invited to a forest between Teifi Gorge and Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve in West Wales, UK, to share what they do. The idea is that their stories will inspire others to do things too, great or small things, as long as they do.

The idea originally came to life during a dinner conversation Weiterlesen »

At a press conference today in Berlin’s central park Tiergarten, the non-profit initiative HOLY WOOD was presented by the mayor of Berlin together with the director of the Berlin International film festival, artist Ralf Schmerberg and the CEO of green electricity supplier ENTEGA.

Behind them towered a gigantic and instantly recognizable Weiterlesen »