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Do
you ever notice how things always seem to be extremely hard to achieve?
Whatever we are doing, it seems things go wrong, collapse, get delayed,
fail, or at times seem utterly hopeless. I often read that only
things worthwhile are hard; or if life isn’t a challenge then
you are not alive. Etc. Etc. Is that true? Does all endeavor have
to be a Herculean task? Do we have to constantly struggle and suffer
to achieve our goals and desires. Is life suffering? Maybe Murhpy’s
law, that things will always find a way of going wrong, works for
things that are not close to what we really want. Perhaps as long
as sharing is not part of the equation, we will always have to struggle.
I would like to start a network of like minded individuals who basically
want projects and goals to go easily, smoothly, and without too
much effort or problems. Wouldn’t that be a change of pace?
Did you ever experience spending over 1 year trying to get the acceptance
of the decision maker, only for him or her to have a heart attack
the week before finalizing the agreement? What about the time you
spent 18 months raising awareness, and getting acceptance for your
proposal, only to hear that the person suddenly left the company,
and did not brief his/her colleagues on your proposal. Oh yeah,
and what about the time you tried to get a job with your dream company?
After 5 interviews and countless tests and months of waiting, they
say that they have been taken over by another company and 25% of
the staff will be fired. You have to start all over again, somewhere
else. Sometimes, it seems like a conspiracy against you.
Yes, I know the story that only if you work very hard and never
give up, will things succeed. How about creating a new paradigm?
Everything is easy and all so called failures are successes - with
little effort and our dreams come true. Wouldn’t that be more
inspiring?
Start
today, by first doing what you really want to do. Second, be generous
with your time to help others. Third, see all doors closing as many
other doors are opening. Maybe its as simple as that. I know many
are saying it wouldn’t help, but as my mother used to say
“It wouldn’t hurt”, either.
Start today. Help us raise awareness of the benefits of investing
with a social and environmental added value, by attending TBLI 2004
or inspiring a colleague to come. If you want to be part of this
unique event, click
here
For full details visit TBLI.
A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about
how he felt. He said, "I feel as if I have two wolves fighting
in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other
wolf is the loving, compassionate one." The grandson asked
him, "Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?" The
grandfather answered: "The one I feed."
Brooklyn
Bridge-Angel of the Month
I would like to start something we call the Brooklyn Bridge-Angel
of the Month. The idea is to highlight the human commitments of
special individuals within the Brooklyn Bridge network. There is
no money or trophy, just recognition. This however is often overlooked.
Gloria is a woman in our neighborhood who dedicates her entire life
to the well being of dogs. I was always amazed how she constantly
offered to help anyone in need with dogs that were sick, hurt, lost,
alone, or lacking social skills. With the passion of a Leonard Bernstein
conducting an orchestra, she was out every day with dozens of dogs
on leashes, in her arms, and in carrying bags. She provides something
that there was definite short supply: Love and attention. Gloria
is not a rich woman has always offered to help take care of dogs
not for monetary benefit, but a basic love of these canines. Every
day I see her, I am overwhelmed by her simplicity in being human,
which is equally strong for humans. Another impressive point: she
has no email.
Congratulations, Gloria Homberg, Brooklyn Bridge-Angel of
the Month September 2004
-- Robert Rubinstein, September 2004
FEATURE ARTICLES
Pushing
for Sustainable Private Equity - Private
equity is an attractive asset class for pension funds. Sustainaible
private equity is even more attractive. Article by Piercarlo Oddone.
The
Growth of Venture Capital In Europe - Some
private equity investors are worried that too much capital will
soon be chasing too little top tier deal flow. Growth in sustainable
private equity may provide a solution. Article by Renata Pergrino
de Brito
NEWS
CSR
Disclosure Legislation
Corporate
Governance Data Plays Critical Role in Fundamental Analysis
More
Than Half of Listed Firms Have Weak Corporate Governance
Air
Pollution Hits Record Levels in Hong Kong
NZ's
ethical funds fail to thrive
Hubbard's
Triple Bottom Lie
Jordan
Challenges Black MBAs to Answer Social Responsibility Call
You
Cannot Afford to Ignore Targeted Investments
State
of the World Trends and Facts: Rethinking the Good Life
Warning
on corporate governance
The
Greening of GAAP
Big
Boys Yearn for a Tilt at the Small Time(Register Req)
Paying
Lip Service to Sustainability Can't Hide the Rot at Telkom
New
Study Examines Business Impacts of Energy and Climate Choices
Global
shift from Asia to Africa
Corporate
'Social Responsibility' Poisons Market (A Skeptic’s Viewpoint)
Kevin Sweeney
on Transparency and Social Report of Companies
Half
of EU Businesses Unprepared for Emissions Trading Scheme (Register
Req)
We select a variety of current news items that cover a broad range
of issues around sustainable finance, corporate social responsibility,
climate change, and corporate governance. Pleasse let us know if
there is a story we should include in next month's newsletter.
Do you have a comment or reaction on any of the material presented
in the TBLI Newsletter? Send a letter to the editor. Letters
to the editor may be published in future newsletters.
 CONFERENCES
THE
ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR CCI PRACTITIONERS
29–30 September, Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Birmingham UK
'Business in the Community is proud
to be associated with the CAF conference on community investment.
It has become the key event in the diary for community affairs professionals,
and we encourage everyone that is in the business of managing the
relationship between companies and communities to attend'.
- Mallen Baker, Development Director, Business in the Community
The Corporates
and Communities Conference 2004 (open exclusively to companies),
organized by CAF and sponsored by Barclays, will focus this year
on the future of CCI and how companies can work with communities
to maximize their positive impact on society. High-profile speakers
will discuss the benefits and risks associated with closer engagement
between business and society and will look at how innovative practices
can help to accelerate change. The conference consists of a mix
of plenary sessions, interactive workshops and an exhibition. Delegate
tickets cost £460+VAT and include the gala dinner,
accommodation, attending the conference and exhibition.
For further
information visit
the web site or contact the CAF events team at +44 (0) 1732
520 074.
SOCIAL
ACCOUNTABILITY INTERNATIONAL (SAI) CONFERENCE
Corporate Social Responsibility and Workplace
Standards: Responsible Strategies for Global Sourcing, 18 October,
New York, NY
PROFITABLE SUSTAINABILITY:
THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS
26-29 September, Seattle, WA
HOW TO MANAGE
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY IN ASIA
14 – 15 October, Hong Kong
THE
INVESTORS’ CIRCLE NATIONAL CONFERENCE & VENTURE FAIR
24-26 October, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
CLEANTECH
VENTURE FORUM V
25-27 October, Toronto Canada
GREENING OF INDUSTRY CONFERENCE
Hong Kong, 7-10 November
2004 BUSINESS & HUMAN RIGHTS
SEMINAR
9 December, London UK
CSM 4th Annual Conference
on Corporate Citizenship
17-18 December 2004, Mumbai, India
For more information, please e-mail Dr. Tapati Ghosh
TBLI Consulting is pleased to announce several new
packages of consulting, education, and information services. These
service packages are customized to meet the needs financial institutions,
business organizations, non-governmental organizations and government
entities. Details are forthcoming in the October TBLI Newsletter.
Contact Robert Earhart for more information.
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TBLI 2004 / November 11-12, 2004 in Amsterdam
We are pleased to announce that Pasquale Pistorio
(CEO of TMicroelectronics) will present the opening
keynote address at this year’s Triple Bottom Line Investing
Conference. David Blood (former CEO Goldman
Sachs UK) will be providing the closing keynote address.
To see the updated agenda for the 6th Triple Bottom Line Investing
Conference please click
here.
Triple Bottom Line Investing 2004 is celebrating its sixth anniversary.
Maximizing both shareholder and stakeholder value at reduced risk
is key to triple bottom line investing. The theme this year is "GROWTH".
Looking at the fully integrated social, environmental and financial
performance is becoming more and more the norm for the financial
sector. This value added "non-financial" risk assessment,
or intangible assets and liabilities approach, includes public equity,
private equity, bonds, micro-financing, etc. Companies are seeing
the financial opportunity of TBLI, and need to update staff on all
the opportunities, risks, benefits and methodology. The TBLI Conference
offers your company with the opportunity to provide your staff with
the latest information and cutting-edge practices of in sustainable
finance.
Still haven't registered for TBLI conference? TBLI
2004 is filling up fast. With over 90 leading speakers, 500 guests
anticipated, and plenty of social and networking opportunities it
is clear why TBLI is seen by many participants as the SRI event
of the year. If you can only attend one event on SRI or corporate
governance, this is it.
To register now and ensure a place at this unique global event,
click here.
Visit our web site www.tbli.org
for regular updates of the conference program.
Sponsors
If you would like to be a corporate or a network sponsor, or if
you would like to reserve an exhibition booth, please send an email
to robert@tbli.org or visit
www.tbli.org for sponsorship details.
We would like to thank Sustainable Finance for
recently signing on as supporting sponsors for TBLI 2004.
CD-ROM
TBLI Conference 2003
If you were unable to attend TBLI 2003 or previous
events and would like to receive all the presentations, acv's, and
quick time video(s) of the event, visit the TBLI
CD-Rom order page. The price is €119, (including VAT 19%,
and postage).
For more information please visit the TBLI
Web site.
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