pasteventspring08.cfm

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.

2008 Spring Symposium

"Bridging the Global Divide:

Sharing Promising Practices in Sustainable Investing"

 

Thanks to the generosity of its event partners, UKSIF and Eurosif, the International Working Group held its first symposium outside of North America. The three day affair, hosted in London, UK, included a special education seminar, several networking opportunities, a full day of panels and presentations, as well as a series of company meetings.

IWG Symposium Planning Committee

Andrika Boshyk, Social Investment Organisation (Canada)
Sarah Clawson, Eurosif
Lauren Compere, Boston Common Asset Management (US Social Investment Forum)
Adam Ognall, UKSIF
Sylvia Panek, US Social Investment Forum
Mark Regier, Mennonite Mutual Aid (US Social Investment Forum)

 

Pictures, podcasts, and presentations from the symposium can be found throughout the agenda.

 

Monday, March 31

Special Education Session for North American Institutional Investors

This will be a unique opportunity for North American SRI representatives to meet privately with some of the leaders of SRI/ESG in Europe.  We will get a better understanding of the history, context, structures, and realities they face in managing investments from a social and environmental perspective.  What are the burning and emerging issues in the European community?  How and where will the industry grow?  What do we, as non-Europeans, need to know about doing SRI in Europe? Hosted by: Sarah Clawson, Eurosif and Adam Ognall, UKSIF

Penny Shepherd
Chief Executive, UKSIF

Tessa Tennant
Executive Chair, ICE Organisation

Penny Shepherd, UKSIF Tessa Tennant, ICE Organisation

 

Evening Reception and Networking Event
for IWG, UKSIF and Eurosif members

Lisa Woll, Mike Tyrrell and Guest

Guest, Darragh Gallant
and Jeffrey MacDonagh

Speaker Lisa Woll, Speaker Mike Tyrrell, and Guest Conference Guests
Bill Mills and Penny Shepherd Guest and Melissa Brown
Guest with Speaker Penny Shepherd Guest with Speaker Melissa Brown
Bill Mills and Sarah Clawson Adam Ognall
Guest with Sarah Clawson, Eurosif (Event Partner) Adam Ognall, UKSIF (Event Partner)
Andrika Boshyk and Darragh Gallant Symposium Planning Committee
Andrika Boshyk, SIO and Conference Guest IWG Planning Committee

 

 

Tuesday, April 1

Morning Sponsor: Morley Fund Management

NGO and Union Roles in SRI

A frank panel discussion on the experiences, obstacles and opportunities in investor/activist collaboration.

 

Different Approaches to Corporate Engagement

A panel discussion on limitations and opportunities found in differing strategies employed by US and European institutional investors.

 

Afternoon Sponsor:  CCLA Investment Management

Lunch and Keynote Speaker

Ernst Ligteringen, Chief Executive, Global Reporting Initiative - Podcast
Sustainability Reporting and Changing Markets - PowerPoint

 

Integrating ESG Standards

A panel discussion addressing issues related to the integration of ESG standards in the investment process from a variety of perspectives.

Stephane Voisin, Cheuvreux
Melissa Brown, ASrIA
Sean Gilbert, Global Reporting Initiative
Mike Tyrell, Citigroup UK
David Russell, Universities Superannuation Scheme (moderator)

* Podcasting unavailable for the session.

Human Rights and the Corporation

A keynote, panel discussion, and group interaction focusing on the many challenges and opportunities for aligning business practices and human rights considerations.  Discussion of the role of global norms, investor influence, research demands, and barriers to company integration will be covered.

 

Faith-based Reception and Special Event

“Living in a Materiality World: Is there still room for values?”

Welcome given by Reverend G.R. Bush, St. Mary-le-Bow Church

As mainstream investors embrace the materiality of certain environmental, social and governance issues, what is the role for institutional investors motivated by faith convictions? Is there a danger that the historic role of values will be lost in today’s environment? A diverse panel offered insight into how faith-based institutional investors approach this emerging issue.

Speakers
Bill Seddon, Central Finance Board, Methodist Church (UK)
Pat Zerega, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Neville White, CCLA, Church of England
Stephen Ross, Leo Baeck College (UK)
Mark Regier, Mennonite Church USA, moderator
Julie Tanner, Christian Brothers Investment Services (US)
Miles Litvinoff, Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility
Melissa Brown, Association for Sustainable & Responsible Investment in Asia - ASrIA

 

Sponsor: Highland Good Steward Management & E. Capital Partners S.p.A

 

Wednesday, April 2

A full day of company meetings with executives and representatives of leading European corporations.
See Agenda (pdf)

  • Renault
  • Royal Bank of Scotland
  • RWE
  • Tesco
  • Unilever
  • Vivendi

 

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