The Oslo Business for Peace Award
The Business for Peace Foundation believes that socially responsible and ethical initiatives will stand the test as a business case, and gradually, as the moral culture of corporations matures, will constitute an integrated part of modern business.
In order to foster such a development, the Oslo Business for Peace Award has been established, to be conferred annually.
A key goal for the Business for Peace Foundation, as it seeks to increase awareness of ethical business practices, is to work to influence and redefine the general public perception of what it means to be a successful businessperson. So far, success has primarily been measured through the one-dimensional prism of financial success. Through introducing the broader normative concept of Businessworthiness, the aim is to complement the public image of what constitutes success.
The multi-dimensional human qualities of the businessperson as an individual are thus promoted, providing incentive. This is supported by the observation that for most business people as individuals, the marginal benefit of further growing their financial wealth is decreasing, while at the same time the marginal benefit of making a meaningful difference is increasing.
We wish to establish an internationally acclaimed recognition of the highest possible honour, in order to accelerate a reappraisal of what it should mean to be regarded as a successful businessperson. We believe this will be a welcome award, as it will recognize an untapped demand among business people for the good they actually do, and the desire many have to make a significant difference.
The Business for Peace Foundation has chosen to make examples of those individual women and men who have proven able to grow their significant businesses in ways that are both socially responsible and financially sensible. Through drawing attention to these front runners, the hope is to encourage a re-examination of business practices, against a set of principles that build from a goal of shared prosperity and mutually reinforced trust.
The aim of the Award is to serve as an inspiration for businesspersons worldwide, stimulating them to recognize the ethical business case, and renewing the traditional vision of success.
To be ethically credible, the recognition should come from outside the business community, and be esteemed as of the highest possible moral and professional authority. A committee of independent individuals recognized globally for their moral and professional contribution to mankind will consider and confer the Oslo Award. Through their work, the committee will identify the leading businesspersons worldwide who spearhead the development of the ethical business case, while creating examples of modern business success.
