Page 15 - THE SOUTH CHINA BUSINESS JOURNAL
P. 15
What do you see as the most important
contribution of the
Oslo Business for Peace
Foundation through its Annual
Business for Peace Summit and the Oslo
Business for Peace Award?
A The Business for Peace Foundation
has made a huge contribution.
Most importantly it has acted
as a beacon to inspire the next
generation of “businessworthy”
leaders. This is perhaps its greatest
achievement. The world is still
short of leaders who put the interest of others ahead of
their own.
In doing so it has also helped to breathe new life
into problem-solving, reignite the imagination of
policymakers and engage entrepreneurs and innovators
in tackling the global issues that matter most.
The Foundation has grown to become a credible and
impressive convener of progressive business to encourage
the uptake of responsible business practices. The
organization’s impressive track record in its young history is
a true testament to the great leadership of Per Saxegaard.
It will give you a very meaningful, purposeful life and enable movements for positive social and environmental change.
you to say that you made a difference and left the world in a The young are well placed for that. We see this with
better place than you found. Nothing can be more rewarding initiatives like One Young World, Enactus, Net Impact,
than that. Free the Children and others, but also with the massive
explosion in the number of social enterprises and the B-Corp
I have three pieces of advice to share, which have served me movement. There are now many opportunities that allow
and Unilever very well. young people to harness and direct their desire for change.
Firstly, put yourself to the service of others. Find your Thirdly, you must hold fast to your ideals and values. It
purpose. Focus on those areas where you can make the is inspiring that more and more young people believe in
biggest impact. Naturally, this will be different depending companies with a ‘sense of purpose’ and brands with a
on whether you work in government, for an NGO, a charity ‘point of view’ and more authenticity, transparency and
or in business. But focus is key. As a consumer goods sustainability.
company, for example, the best way we can contribute is
through our brands and by leveraging our operating model, We also need to bring back humanity and look beyond
whether on sanitation with Domestos; food security with the facts and statistics to put a human face to the issues.
Knorr; health and hygiene with Lifebuoy; self-esteem with Behind each statistic on poverty, hunger, stunting or
Dove; or the many other examples we have across our lack of educational access, there is a human being. We
company. With over 160,000 employees and 2.5 billion need to connect again with what really count: the human
consumers who use our products every day, we can touch relationship. It requires brain and heart (the French
many lives. word coeur gave us the word courage). That’s when you
begin to shift people’s consciousness and can drive real
Secondly, do it with passion. Set bold goals. Collaborations transformational change in addressing today’s most pressing
and partnerships are essential. It is all about building social and environmental challenges.■
South China Business Journal 11
contribution of the
Oslo Business for Peace
Foundation through its Annual
Business for Peace Summit and the Oslo
Business for Peace Award?
A The Business for Peace Foundation
has made a huge contribution.
Most importantly it has acted
as a beacon to inspire the next
generation of “businessworthy”
leaders. This is perhaps its greatest
achievement. The world is still
short of leaders who put the interest of others ahead of
their own.
In doing so it has also helped to breathe new life
into problem-solving, reignite the imagination of
policymakers and engage entrepreneurs and innovators
in tackling the global issues that matter most.
The Foundation has grown to become a credible and
impressive convener of progressive business to encourage
the uptake of responsible business practices. The
organization’s impressive track record in its young history is
a true testament to the great leadership of Per Saxegaard.
It will give you a very meaningful, purposeful life and enable movements for positive social and environmental change.
you to say that you made a difference and left the world in a The young are well placed for that. We see this with
better place than you found. Nothing can be more rewarding initiatives like One Young World, Enactus, Net Impact,
than that. Free the Children and others, but also with the massive
explosion in the number of social enterprises and the B-Corp
I have three pieces of advice to share, which have served me movement. There are now many opportunities that allow
and Unilever very well. young people to harness and direct their desire for change.
Firstly, put yourself to the service of others. Find your Thirdly, you must hold fast to your ideals and values. It
purpose. Focus on those areas where you can make the is inspiring that more and more young people believe in
biggest impact. Naturally, this will be different depending companies with a ‘sense of purpose’ and brands with a
on whether you work in government, for an NGO, a charity ‘point of view’ and more authenticity, transparency and
or in business. But focus is key. As a consumer goods sustainability.
company, for example, the best way we can contribute is
through our brands and by leveraging our operating model, We also need to bring back humanity and look beyond
whether on sanitation with Domestos; food security with the facts and statistics to put a human face to the issues.
Knorr; health and hygiene with Lifebuoy; self-esteem with Behind each statistic on poverty, hunger, stunting or
Dove; or the many other examples we have across our lack of educational access, there is a human being. We
company. With over 160,000 employees and 2.5 billion need to connect again with what really count: the human
consumers who use our products every day, we can touch relationship. It requires brain and heart (the French
many lives. word coeur gave us the word courage). That’s when you
begin to shift people’s consciousness and can drive real
Secondly, do it with passion. Set bold goals. Collaborations transformational change in addressing today’s most pressing
and partnerships are essential. It is all about building social and environmental challenges.■
South China Business Journal 11
