Business As an Instrument of Peace
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B U S I N E S S F O R P E A C E R E S E A R C H S Y M P O S I U M Business as an Instrument of Peace 2011 Business for Peace Research Symposium Oslo, October 17 Oslo House of Literature - Oslo Concert Hall - Oslo City Hall Presented by: In collaboration with: Folder2011_V6.indd 1 13.10.11 05.44 Business as an Instrument of Peace – 2011 Business for Peace Research Symposium Together with OECD National Contact Point During the 2011 Business for Peace Symposium, groundbreaking research will be presented providing Norway, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and the insights into how business and society best can work Peace Research Institute Oslo, a “Business together in order to create the essential shared values as an Instrument of Peace” research that help foster stability and peace, in national and international contexts. Not any kind of trade and symposium will be held on October 17. economics, nor any kind of business activity, may have The International Council of Swedish such a positive effect. Colonialism, factories abusing Industry and Institute of Corporate workforces, and cronyism, for example, may sow the seeds for frustration and violence. Underneath the Responsibility/GWU, will also join us to names and policies of “trade” are specific, concrete present new research in detail during interactions among parties that may or may not be the day at Oslo Konserthus. Highlights positive and constructive. An important aspect to consider is the nature of the interactions of particular from the findings will be showcased and businesses, particular business people, and particular challenged at a gathering in Oslo City Hall, stakeholders such as employees, shareholders, in connection with Oslo Innovation Week. A consumers, and members of the community. “Business in Development” Breakfast Debate The day is a collaboration between: starts the day at Litteraturhuset in Oslo. - OECD National Contact Point Norway (OECD NCP Norway) The full-day symposium will investigate how business - United States Institute of Peace (USIP) can work together with other stakeholders in society to - Institute for Corporate Responsibility (ICR-GWU) promote the building of trust, leading to stability and - International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR) peace. - Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) ‘Peace through Trade’ is a motto held high by many, while skeptics maintain that trade instead often - Oslo Innovation Week (OIW) contributes to conflict and instability. - Business for Peace Foundation (BfPF) Folder2011_V6.indd 2 13.10.11 05.44 PHILOSOPHER’S CHALLENGE – Oslo City Hall The presentation of highlights at Oslo City Hall will be challenged by Henrik Syse. In 2005, Der A Philosopher of Ethics Spiegel termed Syse «the early warning system» Examines the Claim of the world’s largest sovereign fund, the then named Norwegian Petroleum Fund. Henrik Syse that «Business can be an is a moral philosopher, and was hired to develop ethical investment guidelines for the sovereign Instrument of Peace». fund, and to supervise its investments. Henrik Syse will challenge the claim that business can contribute to stability and peace. Program - A detailed program for the day can be found at www.businessforpeace.no 09.00-10.30 Breakfast debate Litteraturhuset rights and concern for the environment? The encounter is arranged by the (House of Literature, Wergelandsveien How can Norwegian authorities OECD National Contact Point Norway. 29) “Business in Development – from contribute to assist businesses facing (Breakfast served from 08.30. There conflict to collaboration.” Leaders from stricter demands? Can dialogue and will be transport to the next venue, for business, politics and society join for mediation of disputes be effective those taking part in both). debate. How are businesses dealing approaches in conflict resolution with the challenges posed by human between businesses and local societies? 11.00-15-00 Research Presentations Oslo Konserthus – including the business sector. This for the study. (Oslo Concert Hall, Munkedamsveien would facilitate a lasting end to The International Council of Swedish 14) protracted and costly conflict, and Industry (NIR) has just finished an The findings of the Business and deliver tangible peace dividends.» extensive study seeking to provide a Peace Task Force will be presented The Peace Research Institute of Oslo framework for policy makers, business for the first time. It is the result of a will present «Capitalist Peace – is executives and CSR officers to better collaboration between the Institute Economic Exchange as Important to assess the role private sector actors for Corporate Responsibility at the International Peace as Democratic play in peace processes. The framework George Washington University School Institutions?» The presentation will will assist private sector actors seeking of Business, and the United States cover factors conducive to economic to assess and develop their corporate Institute of Peace. «Peacebuilding growth and the intensification strategies and risk management in in conflict-affected regions requires of business relationships. The conflict-affected markets, with the much more than boots on the ground, controversial notion of ‘Capitalist Peace’ overall goal of achieving lasting and peace accords, security arrangements is proposed: that free markets and solid mutually beneficial stability. NIR and focused diplomacy. Practitioners, protection of property rights are as presents “Business Executives and scholars and policymakers agree that important as democratic institutions for Private Sector Actors as Peacebuilders”. success in this regard requires the international peace. Håvard Hegre has effective leverage of all stakeholders led the team of researchers responsible 16.00-19.00 Philosopher’s Challenge Oslo City Hall earlier in the day. This should prove be an instrument of peace. The goal Business for Peace, Part II of the Oslo both interesting and rewarding. Henrik of the challenge he poses is to outline Innovation Week Opening Symposium. Syse was in charge of developing the what approaches business must adopt ethical investment framework for the in order to unleash the considerable Is it naïve to propose that business world’s largest sovereign fund, the peace building potential that too often can contribute significantly to the Norwegian Government Pension Fund. goes unrealized. building of stability and peace? For His extensive experience with the topic A panel discussion will follow, where the afternoon session, we have of ethical business, and his lively and business leaders and policymakers will asked the philosopher Henrik Syse inquiring mind, will ensure a thorough consider the findings presented during to challenge the research presented vetting of the claim that business can the day. Folder2011_V6.indd 3 13.10.11 05.44 PARTICIPANTS Kristian Berg Harpviken Henrik Syse Director, Peace Research Institute Oslo. Has Philosopher and author. Senior Researcher at a PhD in sociology. His research interests the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) since include the dynamics of civil war migration and 1997, Former Head of Corporate Governance transnational communities, and methodology in (2005-07) at Norges Bank Investment difficult contexts. Management. At PRIO he works on the ethics of war, historically and systematically, as well as on the relationship between religion and the use of armed force. Photo:PRIO Timothy L Fort Richard H. Solomon Lindner-Gambal Professor of Business Ethics, President, United States Institute of Peace. George Washington University School of Richard H. Solomon has been president of the Business. Fort is the Executive Director of the United States Institute of Peace since 1993 GW Institute for Corporate Responsibility (IRC) and has overseen its growth into a center of and the Director of the GW Peace Through international conflict management analysis Commerce program. and applied programs. Solomon was assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs from 1989 to 1992. Johan Genneby Tobias Evers Programme Director at The International Tobias Evers began working at UI in 2006 as a Council of Swedish Industry – Näringslivets research assistant in a project examining global Internationella Råd (NIR), an independent non-military power configurations. Tobias holds affiliation of the Confederation of Swedish a M.Sc. in International Studies from Uppsala Enterprise, Sweden’s major business University where he also studied Peace and Conflict organisation, representing more than 55,000 Studies. Evers’ areas of expertise include the role member companies. of the private sector in peace processes and conflict zones as well as international crisis management. Raymond Gilpin Øyvind Briså Associate Vice President, Sustainable Øyvind Briså has been Company Director of Economies Centers of Innovation, United States Bama since 1999. He is responsible for all Institute of Peace. He leads the Institute’s work domestic and international sourcing, and on analyzing relationships among economic logistics. He has been involved in several CSR actors during all stages of conflict. initiatives and projects in countries where Bama buys their products, blending regular business with proactive Social Dialogue processes. John Forrer Harald Norvik Associate Director, Institute of Corporate Harald Norvik is an independent Advisor Responsibility, George Washington University. and Consultant. He is Chairman of the Associate Research Professor, Strategic Board of Telenor, Chairman of the Board