Call for Nominations: World Business and Development Awards 2012

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) February 6, 2012 - The International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are delighted to announce the Call for Nominations for the World Business and Development Awards (WBDA) 2012. Visit the Awards website here - www.worldbusinessawards.net

Now in their 10th year, these biannual awards demonstrate how companies can, through their core business activities, help achieve the Millennium Development Goals — eight internationally agreed targets to reduce poverty and environmental degradation and improve education, health conditions and gender equality by 2015. All organisations, regardless of size or location, engaged in innovative business models that are delivering both commercial success and helping improve social, economic and environmental conditions are eligible. Apply online by 25 March 2012 by downloading the form at www.worldbusinessawards.net/nominate 

The 2012 Awards will be given to companies delivering Inclusive Business models: sustainable, commercially-successful business initiatives that expand access for low-income people to goods and services, or improve their livelihoods by engagement in value chains as direct employees, suppliers or distributors.

The awards ceremony will be held on 19 June 2012, when governments convene in Brazil at the Rio+20 Conference, closing the Business Action for Sustainable Development Business Day.  The WBDA will take place this year in partnership with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the UN Global Compact.

IBLF encourages companies and other organisations of any size running commercially successful initiatives with direct development benefits to apply for the Awards. To nominate an initiative, please go to the Awards website: WorldBusinessAwards.net

Clare Melford, CEO of IBLF said: "When businesses apply the full force of their core business activities to development challenges and measure their success both by profit and social outcomes, there is no limit to what can be achieved." She continued:“We hope that the WBDA will again stimulate businesses of all sizes and in all regions to bring forward their best examples and so accelerate progress towards achieving the MDGs."

By bringing together examples of innovative, effective business practices, the World Business and Development Awards will also provide leading businesses and entrepreneurs with a valuable platform for networking and sharing experiences and promote best practices after Rio+20. This will encourage other businesses and governments to replicate and scale initiatives. 

An international judging panel made up of representatives of the organising partners as well as non-governmental organisations, universities, business entities, and international institutions will determine this year’s winners. A knowledge-exchange workshop focussed on inclusive business will take place prior to the Awards ceremony.

In 2010, the Awards received an unprecedented 172 nominations, representing a variety of business and commercial endeavours undertaken by business associations, non-governmental organisations and individual companies from more than 42 countries. Diverse in nature, the 10 winning initiatives ranged from low-income housing in Mexico and assisting farmers in Sierra Leone, to offering affordable maternal health services in India.

“Past award winners have shown how companies can help boost sustainable growth and development,” said UNDP Administrator Helen Clark, “They can be a tremendous source of innovative and sustainable solutions which help transform people’s lives for the better."

"As progress towards the Millennium Development Goals comes under threat in the current economic climate, the Awards will highlight the critical role of the private sector in stimulating sustainable economic growth and development,” said ICC Secretary General Jean-Guy Carrier.

Contact information

IBLF: Jessica Scholl, Jessica.scholl@iblf.org; +44 20 7467 3632

UNDP: Carolina Azevedo, carolina.azevedo@undp.org; +1 212 906 6127

ICC: Dawn Chardonnal, dawn.chardonnal@iccwbo.org; +33 1 49 53 29 07

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