Doing business with the poor: A field guide – WBCSD publication launch (26 April 2004, New York)

Doing business with the poor: A field guide – WBCSD publication launch (26 April 2004, New York)

April 21, 2004

GENEVA – To mark the North American launch of its latest report, Doing business with the poor, the WBCSD will host a unique debate on the role of business in poverty alleviation.

“Doing business with the poor” explores how several companies are starting to break into the largest untapped consumer market, i.e. the world’s four billion poor people.

There will be a panel discussion with top business leaders and NGO representatives. They will tell us how companies are starting to break into this untapped market of 4 billion people in ways that benefit both the poor and the company.

“Most of the planet’s people are poor – between 67% and 78%, depending on figures, so most multinational companies are fiercely competing over a minority of potential customers. That is a spectacular oversight on our part,” says the report. “The concept of doing business with the poor could revolutionize the way we do business and the way we think about doing business.”

AGENDA – April 26, 2004

6:00 – 7:30pm

Opening remarks by: Björn Stigson, President, WBCSD

Perspectives from:

  • Thierry Chambolle, Advisor to the President on Sustainable Development, Suez
  • Sushmita Ghosh, President, Ashoka
  • Lord Holme, Special Advisor to the Chairman, Rio Tinto & Chairman, LEAD International
  • The panel will be moderated by: Lloyd Timberlake, GrupoNueva

    7:30 – 8:00pm

    Q & A session

    8:00 – 9:00pm

    Cocktail reception

    VENUE:

    United Nations Headquarters in New York

    Visitors’ Entrance, 1st Avenue & 46th Street

    4th Floor, Delegates’ Dining Room, Room 6-8

    If you wish to join us, please inform Josephine Chennell: [email protected] by April 21, 2004 so that we can organize your security clearance.