International Working Group: Events
The IWG annually hosts a Spring and a Fall Symposium for members to get together, discuss opportunities and developments in international socially responsible investing, and hear from invited speakers about up-and-coming issues of concern.
2010 Spring Symposium
The Paradox of China's
Transformation
May 17-18 in Washington, DC
This symposium addressed the rising tension between China's tremendous economic growth and international influence over recent decades as it faces environmental and developmental challenges. As China increases its international reach, internal issues of transparency, human rights, product safety, pollution, energy and water have emerged. We discussed issues of concern to social investors as they look to Chinese firms and the Chinese market to make sound investments and make a difference for their clients.
The International Working Group Spring Symposium began with a reception and keynote on Monday, May 17. We then resumed with breakfast on Tuesday, with sessions continuing into the afternoon.
Location:
The symposium was held at the World Bank in Washington, DC.
Agenda:
Monday, May 17, 2010
5:00-7:00pm Reception & Keynote, Realignment of Global Power: China in the Balance
- Zachary Karabell, River Twice Research and author of Superfusion: How China and America Became One Economy and Why the World's Prosperity Depends on It
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Please plan to arrive 15 minutes to allow for passing through security.
7:30am Breakfast
8:00-8:15am Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Craig Metrick, IWG Steering Committee Co-Chair
- Warren Evans, World Bank
8:15-8:45am The Emerging Markets Disclosure Project: What's New & What's Next
- Mike Lombardo, Calvert Investments
8:45-10:00am The Realities of Doing Business in China
- Wayne Silby, SynTao and Calvert Investments
Presentation
- Alexandra Tracy, ASrIA
Presentation
- Xin Zhou, BSR
Presentation
- Alya Kayal, Calvert Investments (moderator)
10:00-11:00am Engaging with Chinese Companies
Note: Due to poor sound quality, Simon Zadek's presentation is not included on this podcast.
- Simon Zadek, Harvard University
- Sean Gilbert, GRI
Presentation
- Michelle Chan, Friends of the Earth
Presentation
- Sonia Kowal, Robert Brooke Zevin Associates (moderator)
11:00-12:00pm Lunch
12:00-1:00pm The Question of Internet Privacy & Freedom of Speech in China
- Meggin Thwing Eastman, RiskMetrics Group
- Bennett Freeman, Calvert Investments
- Sharon Hom, Human Rights in China
- Bob Boorstin, Google
- Craig Metrick, Mercer (moderator)
1:00-1:30pm Environmental Regulatory Trends in China
- Tad Ferris, Holland & Knight
Presentation
1:30-1:45pm Break
1:45-2:45 Domestic Dynamics Around Energy, Environment and Climate Policy in China
- Hilary McMahon, World Resources Institute
Presentation- Jennifer Turner, China Environment Forum, Woodrow Wilson Center
- Alison Bevilacqua, Legg Mason Investment Counsel (moderator)
2:45-4:00 The Role of China in Africa
- David Shinn, George Washington University
Remarks- Graham Sinclair, Sinclair & Company
- Maurice Carney, Friends of the Congo
- John Wilson, TIAA-CREF
Presentation- Simon Billenness, Unitarian Universalist Association (moderator)
4:00pm Closing Remarks
Past Events:
Agendas, podcasts, and presentations from previous IWG symposiums.
- Fall 2009: Investing in a Healthy Planet - Challenges & Opportunities in Sustainable Food Production
- Spring 2009: The Role of Business in Fragile States
- Fall 2008: Supply Chain Management - New Perspectives
- Spring 2008: Bridging the Global Divide
- Fall 2007: International Indigenous Peoples' Rights and SRI