From: Mallen Baker
Ethical leaders go against the industry grain, like Andrew Witty of GlaxoSmithKline. The new chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, Andrew Witty, startled commentators, campaigners, and probably a few shareholders, with his announcement that the company would slash the cost of many of its drugs to people that need them in developing countries.
It was a perfect example of the difference that leadership can make. It raises the question – what counts as great leadership in socially responsible business?
There is a wider list to be produced on that topic, but I wanted to highlight here five key thoughts in the light of the GSK and other recent examples. And we always have the sharp contrast of poor leadership we have seen in the last few months of the financial crisis.
Five things that count as great leadership in socially responsible businesses are:
More....
2/14/09
Institute for Cultural Awareness (ICA) Hosts Return of the Ancestors Gathering in Northern Arizona
By Kimberly Newton, President of Instituto Conexiones
The folks of Institute for Cultural Awareness have been working for years to bring awareness about the teachings and knowledge of the elder wisdom keepers from around the planet, among other things.
We encourage all who read this post to learn more about their upcoming Return of the Ancestors Event in Northern Arizona (April 18-28th) and to consider attending or/and supporting this historic event. Elders and wisdom keepers from around the world will be coming together to share their stories and pray for the sustainable future of our shared planet and peaceful co-existence among its people. This multi-cultural gathering is part of the fulfillment of the ancient prophesy regarding the time when the Eagle and the Condor would unite. The Eagle is the symbol for the North and the Condor is the symbol for the South.
Watch the video here
Click here for a downloadable brochure
Instituto Conexiones is involved with and supports this project as we share in the mission to bring together the Eagle and the Condor in an equitable and peaceful way - We owe Institute for Cultural Awareness a great deal for their support of our work through the years and in return, we support their work whenever possible - hosting elders when they come to the Bay Area, providing free translations of materials, and volunteering as interpreters. They are on our list of philanthropic organizations to give donations to as part of our annual give-away.
We wish them the best of luck with their upcoming event!
The folks of Institute for Cultural Awareness have been working for years to bring awareness about the teachings and knowledge of the elder wisdom keepers from around the planet, among other things.
We encourage all who read this post to learn more about their upcoming Return of the Ancestors Event in Northern Arizona (April 18-28th) and to consider attending or/and supporting this historic event. Elders and wisdom keepers from around the world will be coming together to share their stories and pray for the sustainable future of our shared planet and peaceful co-existence among its people. This multi-cultural gathering is part of the fulfillment of the ancient prophesy regarding the time when the Eagle and the Condor would unite. The Eagle is the symbol for the North and the Condor is the symbol for the South.
Watch the video here
Click here for a downloadable brochure
Instituto Conexiones is involved with and supports this project as we share in the mission to bring together the Eagle and the Condor in an equitable and peaceful way - We owe Institute for Cultural Awareness a great deal for their support of our work through the years and in return, we support their work whenever possible - hosting elders when they come to the Bay Area, providing free translations of materials, and volunteering as interpreters. They are on our list of philanthropic organizations to give donations to as part of our annual give-away.
We wish them the best of luck with their upcoming event!
2/7/09
Attention International Executives and Globally Minded Philanthropists - Cross-Cultural Relations Help is Here!
Instituto Conexiones now provides Cross-Cultural Relations Services to U.S. American visionaries carrying out projects in Latin America - special focus on Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Bolivia.
If you are part of a U.S. team carrying out a business idea (or philanthropic vision) in Latin America, you need more than just a cursory knowledge of the dynamics of intercultural relations between yourself and the local Latin American people you work with, serve, sell to, or have an impact on in some way.
We believe that in order for you to succeed - to have true longevity in your vision - you need someone on your team who has local contacts, who has a deep level of understanding between your culture and the culture of the place where you are doing your business (or carrying out your social enterprise or philanthropic project) and who can engage the local people to subscribe to your project to help you achieve your goals.
Our years of combined research and experience and our multi-stakeholder and multi-disciplinary approach provide us with a unique perspective on best practices related to helping foreigners enter the Latin American world in a truly sustainable way.
Our unique approach includes helping your vision self-reflect on its social and ecological sustainability and coming up with a triple bottom line approach to your venture. Business executives worldwide now know that being socially and ecologically responsible does not have to come at the expense of doing good financially. Actually, businesses and social enterprises that invest in social and ecological responsibility will do better over the long term than their non-responsible counterparts. The costs related to conflict mitigation, public relations band aids, increased security, climate change, sabotage repair, etc. are extremely high. Doing the right thing is good business sense and is the foundation through which you will have success, local support, and staying power, especially in Latin America.
This relates to nonprofit, international cooperation and public sector projects too - having good intentions does not automatically translate into having a positive impact, gaining local support, or having a good public relations reputation. Nonprofits also need to understand how their actions are being perceived and the impact they are having because this lack of knowledge could be working against their cause. For example, rain forest conservation groups that buy out local poor farmers may be contributing to larger environmental problems in the long term, as well as a myriad of social problems (see "Looking at the Bigger Picture When Saving the Rain forest," 2006)
Instituto Conexiones is here to educate and coach you on topics you will need to know about as you navigate the different social dynamics you will encounter, especially if you are a U.S. American entrepreneur or philanthropist who is having an impact on, is needing to interact with, or is reaching out to Latin American stakeholders (and if you think a stakeholder is a type of cutlery- it is time to contact us!!)
To help you along as you educate yourself more about these important topics, we encourage you to read the following blogs/publications:
Phase 1 of Films on Intercultural Relations in Baja California has been funded!
By Kimberly Newton, President of Instituto Conexiones
Additions by Carmina Valiente, President of 7 Filos Producciones
We are proud to announce that a film concept that Instituto Conexiones helped develop with a local Mexican Production Firm, 7 Filos Producciones, is well on its way to becoming a reality!
The concept is a series of investigative film reports focused on showcasing the positive and negative social impacts related to the influx of foreigners coming into Baja California to purchase retirement homes and invest in the growing tourism, real estate development and "green investment" sectors. We will strive to find positive case studies of foreigners and locals working together in an equitable and sustainable way to advance shared goals.
After presenting the concept to a group of Mexican and U.S. donors, 7 Filos Producciones secured the first phase funding for these important and timely investigative video reports.
Instituto Conexiones has contributed to the formation of the concept through ongoing advocacy for a need to look at the social dynamics related to the cultural encounter between wealthy foreigners and Latin American locals, especially in areas considerd biodiversity and tourism "hotspots" & UN World Heritage Sites.
The following links to relevant short films, sent to us by 7Filos Producciones, provide examples to what is happening and how 7Filos Producciones and Instituto Conexiones will be approaching the subject:
Rosarito Documentary by CBS
The Parallel Case Study of Quintara Roo (Cancun) by Sea Studios Foundation
The Parallel Case Study of El Mar Menor, Murcia by El Escarabajo Verde
Instituto Conexiones will be in charge of the translation of the films, subtitling and the U.S. communication and marketing strategy to get these films seen by the relevant U.S. demographic.
We are still looking for Stage 2 funding to actually pay for the marketing and diffusion campaign, website and online presence, and other post production costs.
If interested in learning more on how to be a sponsor, are interested in being involved, or would like to commission this type of intercultural relations study and documentary in your part of the world, feel free to contact us.
info@connectionsinstitute.net
Tel. 415.367.3696
Additions by Carmina Valiente, President of 7 Filos Producciones
We are proud to announce that a film concept that Instituto Conexiones helped develop with a local Mexican Production Firm, 7 Filos Producciones, is well on its way to becoming a reality!
The concept is a series of investigative film reports focused on showcasing the positive and negative social impacts related to the influx of foreigners coming into Baja California to purchase retirement homes and invest in the growing tourism, real estate development and "green investment" sectors. We will strive to find positive case studies of foreigners and locals working together in an equitable and sustainable way to advance shared goals.
After presenting the concept to a group of Mexican and U.S. donors, 7 Filos Producciones secured the first phase funding for these important and timely investigative video reports.
Instituto Conexiones has contributed to the formation of the concept through ongoing advocacy for a need to look at the social dynamics related to the cultural encounter between wealthy foreigners and Latin American locals, especially in areas considerd biodiversity and tourism "hotspots" & UN World Heritage Sites.
The following links to relevant short films, sent to us by 7Filos Producciones, provide examples to what is happening and how 7Filos Producciones and Instituto Conexiones will be approaching the subject:
Rosarito Documentary by CBS
The Parallel Case Study of Quintara Roo (Cancun) by Sea Studios Foundation
The Parallel Case Study of El Mar Menor, Murcia by El Escarabajo Verde
Instituto Conexiones will be in charge of the translation of the films, subtitling and the U.S. communication and marketing strategy to get these films seen by the relevant U.S. demographic.
We are still looking for Stage 2 funding to actually pay for the marketing and diffusion campaign, website and online presence, and other post production costs.
If interested in learning more on how to be a sponsor, are interested in being involved, or would like to commission this type of intercultural relations study and documentary in your part of the world, feel free to contact us.
info@connectionsinstitute.net
Tel. 415.367.3696
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