The 2012 Oslo Business for Peace Honourees have been named by the Foundation’s independent award committee. Their trailmaking contribution to a wider acceptance of Businessworthy behavior will be recognized during the Oslo Business for Peace Summit on May 7, 2012.
The Oslo Business for Peace Award is ordinarily given to seven outstanding nominees for their adding to a better understanding of the relationship between ethical business practices and peace.

Adam Smith has been wrongfully used to defend predatory business practices. It is particularly his “invisible hand” metaphor which has been misused. Unknown to many, and truer to his writings, is his statement that “Markets could not flourish without a strong underlying moral culture animated by empathy and fellow-feeling, by our ability to understand our common bond as human beings and to recognize the needs of others.” The Foundation is confident that the 2012 Honourees are strong exemplars to others in proving the worth of that statement.

The 2012 Business for Peace Awards

Ibrahim Abouleish (Egypt) -
Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish is the founder of the comprehensive development initiative SEKEM, in Egypt. During a journey through Egypt in 1975, Dr. Abouleish was overwhelmed by his country’s overpopulation, and its pollution, particularly from the use of chemical pesticides. SEKEM has been a leader in developing and spreading biodynamic farming methods in Egypt. The organization’s commitment regarding innovative development has led to widespread use of biodynamic methods in pest control and to the improvement of yields. SEKEM means “vitality from the sun,” and remarkably Dr. Abouleish has stated that: “I had a vision of a three-fold project that would allow me to contribute to community-building, humanity, and healing the earth. The desert was like the canvas of a painting, but without a frame.”

Eduardo Eurnekian (Argentina) -
Eduardo Eurnekian is president of Corporacion America. Eurnekian has a strong commitment to peace and reconciliation, and advocates genuine restoration and reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia, with the consolidation of bilateral relations between the two countries. He is a prominent advocate of ethical business practices, who sold all his media holdings when diversifying into other sectors of the Argentinian economy, in order not to have privileged access to the media, “in a manner that would imply unfair competition with other companies.” As honorary chairman of the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, and as Vice President of the Argentinian Chamber of Commerce, as well as a member of the B20 group that advises the G20 nations, he is able to spread his business wisdom globally and significantly.

Vladas Lasas (Lithuania) -
Dr. Vladas Lasas, CEO/Founder of Skubios siuntos UAB Kaunas & UPS/Lithuania, is an inspirational business leader who is helping drive awareness of how technology, cooperation and synergy can provide important solutions to pressing, global problems. He is co-founder of the Carbon War Room, the global non-profit initiative by entrepreneurs to implement market-driven solutions to climate change. His numerous involvements and initiatives all have as a common goal to bring together resources from a number of fields and disciplines, across established boundaries, in order to find ways to make the world a better place. In a play on his last name, which means “drop of water” in Lithuanian, his business card declares “Every drop counts.”

David W. MacLennan (USA) -
Dave MacLennan is the President and Chief Operating Officer at Cargill, Inc. Under MacLennan’s guidance, Cargill has developed management systems and policies to ensure environmental compliance, prevent pollution and continually improve performance on criteria relevant to their business and operations. The group’s commitment in this area has led the way for others, in showing that it is possible to have a proven social responsibility record, and also be a leader in profitability and growth. The Ethical Guiding Principles developed for the group, under MacLennan’s stewardship, can serve as a guideline for all businesses.

Reginald A Mengi (Tanzania) -
Reginald A. Mengi is the founder and chairman of the IPP Group. From humble beginnings, Mr. Mengi’s company today ranks amongst the largest private companies in Tanzania. Mr. Mengi has consistently advocated the need for business to actively engage with communities and take responsibility for their development. He promotes initiatives that assist the disadvantaged and infirm, and is seen to be in the forefront in fostering national unity as a leading advocate for peaceful coexistence. He indiscriminately contributes to all religious faiths, and helps finance the construction of schools. The examples of social responsibility set by Mr. Mengi are widely emulated in the Tanzanian business community. Mengi’s business peers have shown their trust by voting him “most respected CEO in East Africa“ for 3 successive years.

Latifur Rahman (Bangladesh) -
Latifur Rahman is the Chairman and CEO of the Transcom Group. The group’s growth has taken place under adherence to ethical and responsible business practices that serve as a guideline for other businesses in the region. The group is one of the highest corporate tax, VAT and import duty payers in Bangladesh, with a clean bank record. The companies in the group also adhere to labor standards and industrial laws. Other businesses in the region look up to Mr. Latifur Rahman for leadership and guidance for his integrity, ethical standards and business acumen – well illustrated by Mr. Rahman’s reelection as chairman of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry for a total of seven terms.

The press release announcing the 2012 Business for Peace Honourees can be found here. (PDF download)

Conference start at 09.00 Central European Time (CET)

Washington DC 03.00 EDT  –  New Delhi  12.30 IST  –  Beijing  15.00 CST

There are three gatherings during the day, at different venues in Oslo.
Full program for the day. (Link to Program in Norwegian.)

09.00-10.30 Breakfast debate at Litteraturhuset (House of Literature). “Business in Development – from conflict to collaboration.” Leaders from business, politics and society are challenged to debate. How are businesses dealing with the challenges posed by human rights and concern for the environment? How can Norwegian authorities contribute to assist businesses facing stricter demands? Can dialogue and mediation of disputes be effective approaches in conflict resolution between businesses and local societies? Link to program details.

LINK TO STREAM: http://webcast.seriatv.com/?liveprogram=16

11.00-15.00 Research Symposium at Oslo Konserthus (Oslo Concert Hall). “Business as an instrument of peace. How can private sector actors contribute towards promoting trust, stability and peace?” Presentation of detailed research by USIP Director of Sustainable Economics Program Raymond Gilpin, Professor Tim L Fort of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility/GWU, Director International Council of Swedish Industry Johan Genneby, Research Professor at PRIO and the University of Oslo Håvard Hegre, and Director at PRIO Kristian Berg Harpviken. There will be a lunch break during the presentations. Link to program details.

LINK  TO STREAM:  http://www.serialive.com/watch.php?id=35211

16.00-19.00 Philosopher’s Challenge at Oslo City Hall. Keynote-address by Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim. Followed by the philosopher of ethics Henrik Syse, who challenges the claim that “Business can be an instrument of peace.” Highlights from the research and empirical studies from earlier in the day are presented and discussed by policymakers, researchers and global business leaders. Link to program details.

LINK TO STREAM:  http://www.serialive.com/watch.php?id=35218

The 2012 Business for Peace Honourees will be presented with their awards, following Keynote speeches by H.E. Alexandra Christina, Countess of Fredriksborg and Mr. Roberto Servitje Sendra.

Registration and participation is free

NOTE: Summit registration opens with a reception at 15.00, at the Oslo City Hall. The formal part of the programme follows from 16.00.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT

H.E. Alexandra Christina, Countess of Fredriksborg, will address “The Essences of Trust in Business Today.” H.E. Alexandra Christina chairs the ethics board of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, and has significant experience in the cross field of business and government, while also being a patron of a range of causes in the intersection between business and society.


Now the world’s fourth largest food company, the Grupo Bimbo has grown impressively while showing the way in corporate social responsibility, long before CSR became recognized as a discipline. Mr. Roberto Servitje Sendra, founding member and Chairman of Grupo Bimbo, will hold a Keynote address. “Long-term steady growth and profitability is possible when adhering to the principles of Shared Value between business and society.” For close to sixty years, the Mexican Grupo Bimbo has demonstrated the strength of following the ideals of Shared Value when conducting business.

A panel discussion will follow the keynote-addresses. Mr. Roberto Servitje Sendra will be joined by Mr. Erik Belfrage, chairman of the ICC Commission on Corporate Responsibility and Anti-Corruption, and Senior Vice-President, Advisor to the Chairman of SEB; professor George J Siedel, Williamson Family Professor of Business Administration & Thurnau Professor of Business Law at the University of Michigan; and Mr. Achilles Tsaltas, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Development, International Herald Tribune.
The panel will be moderated by Mr. Jan Egeland, director of Human Rights Watch Europe.

The gathering at Oslo City Hall will conclude with the 2012 Business for Peace Honourees receiving their awards, followed by the official Honourees’ Dinner (by invitation).

REGISTRATION

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
 

A Philosopher of Ethics Examines the Claim that «Business can be an Instrument of Peace».

The presentation of highlights at Oslo City Hall will be challenged by Henrik Syse. In 2005, Der Spiegel termed Syse «the early warning system» of the world’s largest sovereign fund, the then named Norwegian Petroleum Fund. Henrik Syse is a moral philosopher, and was hired to develop ethical investment guidelines for the sovereign fund, and to supervise its investments.
On October 17, Henrik Syse will challenge the claim that business can contribute to stability and peace – our audience is guaranteed to appreciate the encounter between philosopher, researchers and global business leaders.
The Philosopher’s Challenge will take place at Oslo City Hall, following the reception which begins at 16.00. The Symposium will conclude at 19.00.

A dinner for invited guests will be hosted by the Business for Peace Foundation at the Nobel Peace Center. 

For an overview of the entire day’s program, as well as a registration link, please go to this page.
A full program for the day can be found here.

PHILOSOPHER’S CHALLENGE – Part II of the Oslo Innovation Week Opening Symposium

16:00-17:00            Reception at the City Hall of Oslo

17.00 – 17.15           Opening session

17.00                          Welcome and Opening Remarks from the City of Oslo.

17.10                          Opening Statement (Per L. Saxegaard, Chairman BfP)

17.15 – 18.40           Keynote session (chair: Kristian Berg Harpviken, PRIO)

Keynote Address by Minister of the Environment and
International Development, Erik Solheim.

17.40 – 18.40           Philosopher’s Challenge

Henrik Syse, philosopher of ethics, examines the claim that “Business can be an Instrument of Peace”.

Participants:
Johan Genneby, Director International Council of Swedish Industry
John Forrer, Associate Director ICR-GWU;
Timothy Fort, Executive Director ICR-GWU
Raymond Gilpin, Director Sustainable Economics Program, USIP
Håvard Hegre, Research Professor at PRIO and the University of Oslo

18.40 – 19.00           Panel session (chair: Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director, PRIO)

18.25 – 19.00           Panel Discussion. Participants: Policymakers, leading businesspersons

20.00 – 23.00        Business for Peace Dinner, at the Nobel Peace Center – by Invitation Only.

The Symposium will investigate how business can work together with other stakeholders to promote the building of trust, leading to stability and peace.

The 2011 Research Symposium is in three parts. A breakfast debate at Litteraturhuset is followed by a presentation of detailed research findings at Oslo Konserthus – transport will be arranged. A late afternoon gathering at Oslo City Hall will discuss the highlights from the day’s presentations. A number of the contributors are English speakers, and the symposium will be conducted in English.

Registration and participation is free. YOU CAN REGISTER AT THIS LINK.

Breakfast debate – Litteraturhuset (House of Literature), from 09.00-10.30
Presentation of Research – Oslo Konserthus (Oslo Concert Hall), from 11.00 to 15.00
Business for Peace Summit, Part II of Oslo Innovation Week Opening Symposium – Oslo City Hall, from 16.00 to 19.00

The day is a collaboration between:
OECD National Contact Point Norway (OECD NCP Norway)
United States Institute of Peace (USIP)
Institute for Corporate Responsibility (ICR-GWU)
International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR)
Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Business for Peace Foundation (BfPF)

PROGRAM FOR OCTOBER 17.

BREAKFAST DEBATE – HOUSE OF LITERATURE – 09.00-10.30

09.00-10.30 Breakfast debate at Litteraturhuset (House of Literature). “Business in Development – from conflict to collaboration.” Leaders from business, politics and society join for debate. How are businesses dealing with the challenge posed by human rights and concern for the environment? How can Norwegian authorities contribute to assist businesses facing stricter demands? Can dialogue and mediation of disputes be effective approaches in conflict resolution between businesses and local societies? (Breakfast served from 08.30) Program in Norwegian.

You will meet:
Erik Solheim, Minister of the Environment and of International Development
Caroline Rees,  Director, Governance and Accountability Program of Harvard Kennedy School
Joseph Wilde, Senior researcher Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO), Coordinator OECD Watch
Harald Norvik, Chairman of the board Telenor
Øyvind Briså, Company director BAMA, and proponent of social dialogue between unions and businesses in Costa Rica
Hans Petter Graver, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Private Law, University of Oslo

Moderator: Elin M. Myrmel-Johansen, director Storebrand
The debate will build on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises – Recommendations for Responsible Business Conduct in a Global Context.

RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM – OSLO CONCERT HALL – 11:00-15:00

11:00-11:15            Welcome - Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director, PRIO

11:15-11:45            Business and Peace

A Sketch of the Terrain of Scholarly Literature on Business and Peace
Timothy L. Fort, Executive Director, Institute for Corporate Responsibility, George Washington University School of Business

11:45-12:15            ‘Being Businessworthy’ Can Contribute to Stability and Peace

A Business View of Peace, by Per L.Saxegaard, Chairman BfPF
In the 21st Century, businesses will benefit not only from peace but also for contributing to it. Through the Internet revolution we have gone from being connected, to interconnected to being ethically interdependent. The essence of the 21st Century business model is to be “businessworthy,” a concept that insists on creating economic value that also creates value for society, leading to the building of trust and stability, and ultimately peace.

 12:15-13;00            Business Executives, Private Sector Actors as Peacebuilders, or Private Sector Building Peace

Johan Genneby, Director International Council of Swedish Industry
NIR’s many years of practical experience of working together with other private sector actors in conflict-affected countries around the world identified limitations in the debate on the role of business in peacebuilding. Commissioned by NIR, the Swedish Institute for International Affairs (UI) conducted a review of current debate which found a normative, lack of consensus on the role and benefit of private actors’ involvement in conflict prone and conflict-affected markets. Concluded in October 2011, the research project “Private Sector Actors Role in Peace Building” develops an embryo for a framework to aid academic researchers, policymakers, business executives and CSR officers to better assess the roles private sector actors may plan in peace processes.  Moreover, the framework will also assist private sector actors when assessing and developing their corporate strategies and risk management for operations in conflict-affected markets.

13;00-13:30            Break

13:30-14:15            A Strategic Opportunity for Business and Public Policy USIP/GWU

Raymond Gilpin, Director Sustainable Economics Program, USIP
John Forrer, Associate Director ICR-GWU;
Timothy Fort, Executive Director ICR-GWU
Peacebuilding in conflict-affected regions requires much more than boots on the ground, peace accords, security arrangements and focused diplomacy.  Practitioners, scholars and policymakers agree that success in this regard requires the effective leverage of all stakeholders – including the business sector.
The USIP-ICT Task Force calls for government to give greater recognition to private efforts in peace-building and more specifically posed three research questions:  (a) How does business affect peace? (b) How do business models adapt to overcome challenges in conflict-affected states?, and (c) How do domestic and international regulatory arrangements impact profitability and competitiveness?

14:15-15:00            ‘Capitalist Peace’ – Is Economic Exchange as Important to Peace as Democratic Institutions?             

Håvard Hegre, Research Professor at PRIO and the University of Oslo)
Globalization is often seen as a source of conflict and unrest. Certainly, some forms of economic exchange have negative consequences. In particular, trade in goods with a potential of disproportionally favoring political elites in the absence of strong institutions may be detrimental to peace. Moreover, conflict itself undermines the prospects for peace-conducive economic activity, creating a ‘conflict trap’ that may be hard to escape. Still, over the last couple of decades, empirical research has demonstrated a clear, positive relationship between most forms of economic exchange and peace. Early research, often referred to as liberal peace studies, found that states that trade extensively with each other have fewer interstate conflicts. Relatedly, internal armed conflict is most frequent in poor and stagnant economies — economies often characterized by inadequate access to global markets. What is conducive to economic growth and the intensification of business relationships, both domestically and internationally, seem also to be conducive to peace in a wide understanding. The presentation discusses various explanations of these patterns, including the notion of a “capitalist peace”. This is based on the idea that free markets and solid protection of property rights is more (or equally) important than democratic institutions for international peace. Other views sees the emergence of property right protection, open economies, and strong democratic institutions as outcomes of closely related processes.

15:00-15:15            Closing Remarks – Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director, PRIO 

PHILOSOPHER’S CHALLENGE – Oslo City Hall – Part II of the Oslo Innovation Week Opening Symposium

A Philosopher of Ethics Examines the Claim that «Business can be an Instrument of Peace».

16:00-17:00            Reception at the City Hall of Oslo

17.00 – 17.15           Opening session

17.00                          Welcome and Opening Remarks from the City of Oslo.

17.10                          Opening Statement (Per L. Saxegaard, Chairman BfP)

17.15 – 18.40           Keynote session (chair: Kristian Berg Harpviken, PRIO)

Keynote Address by Minister of the Environment and
International Development, Erik Solheim.

17.40 – 18.40           Philosopher’s Challenge

Henrik Syse, philosopher of ethics, examines the claim that “Business can be an Instrument of Peace”.

Participants:
Johan Genneby, Director International Council of Swedish Industry
John Forrer, Associate Director ICR-GWU;
Raymond Gilpin, Director Sustainable Economics Program, USIP
Håvard Hegre, Research Professor at PRIO and the University of Oslo

18.40 – 19.00           Panel session (chair: Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director, PRIO)

18.40 – 19.00           Panel Discussion. Participants: Policymakers, leading businesspersons

20.00 – 23.00        Business for Peace Dinner, at the Nobel Peace Center – by Invitation Only.

REGISTRATION LINK – PARTICIPATION IS FREE.

Adam Smith has been wrongfully used to defend predatory business practices. It is particularly his “invisible hand” metaphor which has been misinterpreted. Unknown to many, Adam Smith stated that “Markets could not flourish without a strong underlying moral culture animated by empathy and fellow-feeling, by our ability to understand our common bond as human beings and to recognize the needs of others.” The Foundation is confident that the 2010 Honourees are strong exemplars to others in proving the worth of that statement.

As in previous years, the Oslo Summit was held at Oslo City Hall. Following Keynotes from a number of distinguished speakers, the Honourees were recognized through a video presentation of their individual work, and through a presentation of the Just Man Statuette marking their achievement.

The 2010 Business for Peace Award Recipients

From the left. Mr. William Rosenzweig, Ms. Emily Cummins, Mr. Venkataramani Srivathsan, Mr. Luis Lopez Morton Servitje (representing his grandfather, Mr. Roberto Servitje Sendra), Mr. Francis Yeoh, Mr. Stef Wertheimer, and Mr. Amit Bajan (representing Mr. Ratan Tata).

Ratan Tata (India) -
Tata is chair of the Tata group, India’s largest conglomerate. He has more than once declared that his group is not driven to grow “over everybody’s dead bodies”. His personal view is that the group’s sense of social responsibility does not collide with the creation of shareholder value. Tata gives away on average eight to fourteen per cent of its net profits every year through dedicated philanthropic programmes.

Stef Wertheimer (Israel) -
Wertheimer is the founder and honorary chair of Iscar Metalworking Company, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of carbide cutting tools. He employs an integrated workforce of Arabs, Jews and Christians. In his company, employees work side by side towards a common goal, shedding the stereotypes so prevalent in the Middle East. Wertheimer believes in the importance of quality technical education as a basis for a better society. To this end, he has initiated the Arab-Jewish Executive Development programme, bringing together Jews and Arabs in intensive courses on entrepreneurship.

Francis Yeoh (Malaysia) -
Yeoh is managing director of the YTL Corporation Berhad, Malaysia’s leading integrated infrastructure conglomerate. He believes that a sustainable business means one which can thrive in the long term and that true sustainability has four equal components: social, economic, environmental and cultural.

Roberto Servitje Sendra (Mexico) -
Sendra is chair of Grupo Bimbo, a multinational baking enterprise. Early in its development, he stated that the group’s goal was to be “altamente productiva y plenamente humana” – highly productive and truly humane. Grupo Bimbo has a significant social responsibility programme, which is tightly related to health, the environment, society (poverty and food distribution) and the wellbeing of its workers. In terms of health, the group has been making serious efforts to promote exercise as a way of life. On the environmental front, it has set a leading example through its efforts to recycle and to reduce water consumption while supporting a major reforestation campaign in Mexico.

Venkataramani Srivathsan (Nigeria) -
Mr. Srivathshan is managing director of Nigerian operations at Olam, a leading global supply chain management company for agricultural products and food ingredients. He has created the rice extension farming and out-grower programme in collaboration with farmers’ organisations and NGOs. This programme has allowed Olam Nigeria to increase overall returns to rice farmers through enhanced productivity, improved quality and guaranteed buy-back of crops.

Emily Cummins (UK) -
Cummins designs products to improve the quality of life in developing countries. She designed and created a multi-bucket water system to transport water effectively across southern Africa. Her sustainable fridge uses solar heat to provide refrigeration cheaply and easily. Cummins selflessly gave her design away because she wanted as many people as possible to build their own sustainable refrigerators. Her product is now serving the everyday refrigeration needs of countless families across southern Africa.

William Rosenzweig (USA) -
Rosenzweig is managing director of Physic Ventures, whose purpose is to invest in companies which create value through delivering innovative solutions for preventing disease, promoting consumer-driven health and ensuring a sustainable planet for future generations. His vision achieves a union of business performance with a higher purpose by creating strong clusters of experienced enterprises working with companies in developing countries to create an ultimate benefit which goes far beyond bottom-line considerations.

The 2010 Business for Peace Awards – October 18

A summary of the presentations during the 2010 Summit can be found at this link.

The press release announcing the 2010 Business for Peace Honourees can be found here.

Summit Program.

Mr. Rajat K. Gupta of the International Chambers of Commerce opened with a keynote address to the assembled audience. Mr. Gupta touched upon a series of issues that made it necessary for world business to work to regain the public trust. He also showed to the efficacy of government bodies and NGOs adopting business practices to ensure best possible return-of-investment for their efforts. Mr. Rifkin outlined his views on the transition from a fossil fuels based economy to the “distributed energy world” we are headed for. In his view, the fact that this transition will coincide with the on-going changes in communication due to the internet, points to the coming of a 3rd Industrial Revolution.

In the panel debate which followed, Mr. Gupta was joined by former Norwegian prime minister Kjell Magne Bondevik and the 2009 Honouree, Anders Dahlvig, as they discussed whether elements from the Nordic Model had international relevance. Mr. Dahlvig shared several observations as to how IKEA’s strong sense of social purpose had contributed to the group’s business success, and had provided management with guidelines for operations. As regards the Nordic Model, he was convinced that the less authoritarian style of Scandinavian businesses made them very different from businesses elsewhere. Workers feel entitled to raise points of criticism without fear of retribution. Mr. Bondevik was very encouraged by how a business oriented approach was helping Africa raise itself from the development aid dependency one had previously fostered. Mr. Gupta, among other things, raised the interesting point that today’s new class of “super-wealthy” may be inspired by the Scandinavian sense of social responsibility in the philanthropic social welfare programs they are promoting.

The 2010 Business for Peace Honourees

The Honourees were introduced to the audience through a recounting of their significant individual contributions. These are truly outstanding leaders, each reflecting the criteria for the Business for Peace Award in their particular ways. The ceremony began with a greeting to the Honourees from the members of the award giving committee.

From the left. Mr. William Rosenzweig, Ms. Emily Cummins, Mr. Venkataramani Srivathsan, Mr. Luis Lopez Morton Servitje (representing his grandfather, Mr. Roberto Servitje Sendra), Mr. Francis Yeoh, Mr. Stef Wertheimer, and Mr. Amit Bajan (representing Mr. Ratan Tata). The Honourees were presented with their award and diploma by Mr. Per L. Saxegaard, chairman of the foundation. Mr. Francis Yeoh of Malaysia delivered the Honourees’ speech following the presentation of awards.

The Honourees and invited guests concluded the ceremony with the Honourees’ Dinner at Akershus Fortress. During dinner, the Honourees gave moving personal accounts of the reason why they had embraced sound ethical business practices in their work.

The 2010 Peace through Trade Summit – Highlights

In his endorsement of the Oslo Business for Peace Award, Nobel Laureate HE Kofi A Annan said: “It is important to inspire and encourage business persons to be conscious of the role they can play as individuals to foster stability and peace. This is an element that should be incorporated as a matter of course into Corporate Social Responsibility.” The Foundation is confident that the 2009 Honourees are strong exemplars to others in that respect.

As in previous years, the Oslo Summit was held at Oslo City Hall. Following Keynotes from a number of distinguished speakers, the Honourees were recognized through a video presentation of their individual work, and through a presentation of the diplomas marking their achievement. These were presented to the Honourees by Nobel Laureate Professor A. Michael Spence, a member of the Award Committee.

The Honourees

Anders Dahlvig receiving the 2009 Business for Peace Award
from Nobel laureate in Economics Professor A. Michael Spence.

The press release announcing the 2009 Honourees can be found here (PDF).

Anders Dahlvig (Sweden) –
Anders Dahlvig started working for IKEA in 1984, and assumed his current position as CEO in 1999. Under Anders Dahlvig’s leadership, IKEA has placed sustainability at the heart of its product development and supply strategy. “The IKEA Way of Purchasing Home Furnishing Products” (the IWAY) is a code of conduct which defines what suppliers can expect from IKEA and what IKEA requires from its suppliers in terms of legal requirements, working conditions, the active prevention of child labor, environmental protection and forestry management.”

Mo Ibrahim (Sudan) -
Dr. Mohamed “Mo” Ibrahim is a Sudanese-born British mobile communications entrepreneur. He is currently on the board of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, and is a member of the Africa Regional Advisory Board of London Business School. In 2006, the foundation launched the Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The prize is awarded to African heads of state who deliver security, health, education and economic development to their constituents, and who democratically transfer power to their successor. With a $5 million initial payment, plus $200,000 a year for life, the prize is believed to be the world’s largest, exceeding the $1.3m Nobel Peace Prize.

Mohammed Jameel (Saudi Arabia) -
Mohammed Jameel is President of Adbul Latif Jameel Co. Ltd. A great philanthropist as well as a respected businessman, Mr. Jameel has developed several community programs promoting job opportunities for thousands of young Saudi men and women each year. Jameel has been the driving force behind the Grameen Jameel Pan Arab Initiative, which aims to reduce poverty through micro credit. In addition, he opened the first Bab Riza (Gateway to Prosperity) Jameel Center in June 2007 in Jeddah for creating employment opportunities for women and offering financial support for start-ups and loans for vocational training in both the public and private sectors.

Jeffrey R. Immelt (US) -
Jeff Immelt is the Chairman of the board and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. based conglomerate General Electric since 2000. Under Mr. Immelt’s leadership, GE implemented a new initiative, under the name of “ecomagination” to ramp up development of clean technologies and lighten the company’s environmental footprint. GE committed itself in 2005 to double its research-and-development investments in eco-friendlier technologies from 2004 to 2010, more than 10 times the 2005 federal US R&D budget for solar and wind combined. In 2007, GE announced that it was expanding its ecomagination strategy, committing to reduce its global water use by 20 percent by 2012.

Josephine Okot (Uganda) -
Josephine Okot is the founder and Managing Director of Victoria Seeds, a full line seed company in Uganda. She founded Victoria Seeds for the purpose of delivering quality seeds to “small holder” farmers who produce over 90% of agricultural output in Uganda. Ms. Okot’s goal is to reverse the decline in agricultural productivity in Uganda and other countries of the region where Victoria Seeds is exporting to.

Jiang Jianqing (China) -
Jiang Jianqing has served as Governor of the Shanghai Bank and the Pudong Subsidiary Bank before becoming the Head of the Investment and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Under the leadership of Mr. Jianqing, the ICBC became the first Chinese bank in the country’s domestic banking to introduce and apply the notion of “Green Credit”, strictly constraining credit inputs for heavily polluting and/or high energy-consuming corporations. For the ICBC, the environmental protection compliance serves as the ultimate determinant to reject or accept any projects and business entities requesting loans.

Zhengrong Shi -
The Chinese-Austrialian solar scientist Dr. Zhengrong Shi is the founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Suntech Power, one of the leading solar energy companies and the largest solar module manufacturer in the world. When he decided to start his own company in 2001, he was acutely aware of the growing need for renewable energy and he wanted to be part of the solution. Now, only eight years later, he is considered to be one of the world’s leaders in the development and commercialization of renewable energy technology.
Dr. Shi guided Suntech into designing and providing low-cost solar generators to let even the disadvantaged be able to afford clean energy. His idea and vision is to bring environment-friendly power to the world.