After the successful launch of the Buy For-Benefit (B4B) Coalition in Davos last month, the Fourth Sector Group and SYSTEMIQ are delighted to invite you to our kickoff strategy workshop.
Putting Purpose in Global Value Chains
Leveraging For-Benefit Procurement: Ideas to Action
Wednesday, 25th March, 2020 | 13.00 - 16.00
The British Academy | London, UK
About the Workshop
Leveraging corporate and public procurement to create demand for "for-benefit" businesses — companies that prioritize people and the planet alongside profits – presents a huge opportunity to transform global value chains, advance an economy that benefits all stakeholders, and deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The B4B Coalition is a systemic intervention led by a group of pioneering corporations, networks, NGOs, governments, and institutions to empower organisations with the tools, resources, and testing ground to support and scale the transition to purpose-driven value chains, and unlock trillions in for-benefit procurement preference. This commitment to a for-benefit procurement is a tangible and catalytic way for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to purpose, benefit all their stakeholders, and become stewards of real sustainable development.
The workshop is organized in partnership with The British Academy's Future of the Corporation Programme, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and CARE, with support from the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). It will bring together sustainability and procurement executives and supply chain experts from leading companies alongside B4B Coalition members and knowledge partners, civil society and government representatives to:
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Hear from key stakeholders, including Coalition leaders, corporates and for-benefit enterprises, on what the B4B Coalition is, why it matters, and how it can help your organisation meaningfully contribute to delivering on your sustainability goals and the SDGs;
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Gain insight into challenges and opportunities for implementing for-benefit procurement practice on the ground;
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Explore how to take Buy For-Benefit from idea to action in your organisation and industry, and discover opportunities for partnership and collaboration;
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Discover what tools and resources are available to support implementation, and learn how the B4B Coalition can support you.
We hope you can join us for what promises to be an inspiring and transformational gathering!
Immediately after the workshop, participants are also invited to attend the launch of The British Academy Future of the Corporation's report, "For-Benefit Business and the Future of the Corporation." The event includes a panel discussion with distinguished experts on the theory and practice of for-benefit business, followed by a reception.
Launch Event and Reception:
"For-Benefit Business and the Future of the Corporation"
March 25th, 2020, 17.00 to 19.30 | The British Academy, London
This event marks the launch of a new working paper from the Future of the Corporation programme, which examines how the Principles for Purposeful Business can apply to the practice of for-benefit business.
The paper uses the Future of the Corporation research as a framework to consider the idea of an emerging fourth sector of the economy that combines features of the for-profit, non-profit and public sectors under the rubric of ‘for-benefit’ business. These terms capture familiar models like social enterprise, public benefit corporations, co-operatives, community interest companies, and a range of other forms. The fourth sector is an under-researched domain and our paper focuses on highlighting areas for further research, while offering readers practical recommendations and the chance to engage with the concept and consider how it might develop.
We would love you to join us on 25 March at the British Academy to discuss the paper, which will be made available on the same day. The discussion will be led by Professor Colin Mayer, Academic Lead for the Future of the Corporation programme, and Heerad Sabeti, Chief Executive of the Fourth Sector Group.
The event will provide a forum for discussing the application of the Principles for Purposeful Business to the development of a fourth sector of for-benefit business. The outcome of this discussion will provide a valuable foundation for further research into the concept of the fourth sector and the application of the Principles.
REGISTER
Due to COVID-19, this was a virtual strategy session held on Monday, March 30th.
Should you have any questions please contact Ana Carolina Diaz at a.diaz@fourthsector.org.