…and other sights and sounds from the Millennium Development Goals Inclusive Business Event and Awards

Just up the street from the fanfare of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Summit in New York City, I had the pleasure of attending two impressive side events hosted by the United Nations Development Programme yesterday.  The resounding theme of both events was two-fold:  first, good business makes good development and vice versa; there were plenty of examples to show it.  Second, while the challenges of pursuing inclusive business models and pro-poor strategies prevail, they are not so great as to outshine the certain development impact and very likely business upside.  As one attendee emphatically stated in reference to inclusive business and to cross-sector partnerships, “Let’s stop whining and just do it!”

The first event, titled “Accelerating Progress Towards the Millennium Development Goals Through Inclusive Business,” featured CEOs and other business leaders from Anglo American, Coca Cola, Diageo, LifeSprings Hospitals, and Masisa, among others.  Each of the speakers outlined compelling strategies by which they’d built, expanded or strengthened their companies by means of creating social outcomes in the developing world.  As stated by Cynthia Carroll, CEO of the mega-mining company Anglo American, “investing in people and communities where we work is not just the right thing to do.  It, in fact, is simply good business.”  This sentiment was echoed by Nick Blazquez, Managing Director of Diageo Africa.  He described Diageo’s strategy to increase its top line and improve product quality all while reducing the threat of harmful products.

At the day’s second event, the 2010 World Business and Development Awards, Dr. Mo Ibrahim, renowned development expert and founder of a foundation by his name as well as Celtel International, put it bluntly as he described African development.  “We don’t need (government and NGO) aid,” he stated.  “We need good business.”  This theme continued through the night as a star-studded cast of speakers including Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia; Rajiv Shah, USAID administrator; and Helen Clark, UNDP administrator and former Prime Minister of New Zealand; recognized 10 business for their innovative and pro-development business strategies. 

In addition to the ideas and awards shared throughout the day, event organizers made mention of a new statement that was subsequently released today by 11 development donors.  The statement, titled “Bilateral Donor’s Statement in Support of Private Sector Partnerships for Development,” recognizes and encourages the private sector as an equal contributor in development.

Two steps forward; none back.