The Water Food Energy Nexus
By 2050 demand for resources is set to increase significantly as the global population grows to nine billion and becomes more prosperous. Global economic growth is being driven largely by emerging markets. Over the medium term, the World Bank estimates economic growth of 6% in developing countries compared to 2.7% in higher-income countries1. This is […]
Power of Innovation – To Change the World
“We need to use the power of technology and the creative power of young people. By combining these together you can solve these problems. It’s possible!” ~ Professor Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Winner We live in extraordinary times. Financial crises and economic crises are looming large in many parts of the world. Social […]
What Does it Mean to Own and Operate a Socially Conscious Business?
As a new socially conscious business owner, I ask myself this question all the time. What social indicators could be affected through Evolvemint’s product line? I am intimate with each part of the supply chain for the silk scarves (and upcoming line of dresses) but I have developed some rules to ensure gender empowerment and […]
The World We Want
In the years up to 2015, the world needs to remain focused on securing as much progress as possible on the current set of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). At the same time, discussions have already begun on the goals and targets that could build on and succeed the MDGs. On 25 September, UNDP joined forces […]
Interview with Paul Hohnen: Greenwash, Sustainable Development and Saving the Planet
In an interview for Making It Magazine, sustainability specialist, Paul Hohnen, answers questions about ‘greenwash’, sustainable development, and what governments and the UN need to do to save the planet You have worked on economic and environmental issues for over three decades, as an Australian diplomat, as a Director of Greenpeace International, as Strategic Director […]
Reasons to be both hugely disappointed and very excited
In an interview for Making It Magazine, sustainability specialist, Paul Hohnen, answers questions about ‘greenwash’, sustainable development, and what governments and the UN need to do to save the planet You have worked on economic and environmental issues for over three decades, as an Australian diplomat, as a Director of Greenpeace International, as Strategic Director […]
Smarter Impact: A new approach to enabling inclusive economic development in the information age
We are living in exciting times. Information and communications technology has already radically changed the world in which we live in for the better. The lives of billions have been transformed – those that were once isolated or living in remote locations are now connected in a way that offers a wealth of opportunities. The […]
Forget poverty. Let's talk about business
In an article I just finished for How Magazine on the future of design, I used Paul Polak as an example of why generalists are so important to the world right now. I said, “For example, it would be easy to think of global development pioneer Paul Polak as an expert in alleviating poverty, but […]
Forget poverty. Let’s talk about business
In an article I just finished for How Magazine on the future of design, I used Paul Polak as an example of why generalists are so important to the world right now. I said, “For example, it would be easy to think of global development pioneer Paul Polak as an expert in alleviating poverty, but […]
Practical Action Consulting is offering Participatory Market Systems Development training at the SEEP Annual Conference
Practical Action Practical Action Consulting (PAC) is holding a 2-day training workshop to introduce practitioners to the Participatory Market Systems Development (PMSD) approach at the SEEP Annual Conference in Washington DC. This technical training is aimed at enterprise and inclusive market development practitioners who wish to gain a greater understanding of Practical Action’s approach to […]
Clean water: a conduit for a healthier society and better business
As we prepare to publish our annual Global Sustainability Report next week*, I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight the importance of water, the most important ingredient in all of our brands, and underline our drive to improve water efficiency around the globe, particularly at our production sites in ‘water-stressed’ areas – predominantly in […]
Corporate pulling power to push sustainable development
Around the world many communities are distressed and in turmoil. The re-emergence of right wing political parties as credible electoral options, riots in European capitals, deterioration of living conditions and the development of movements (like ‘occupy’ and the ‘tea party’) are all part of a continuum of discontent. What all of these phenomena share in […]
The key to inclusive business- Getting better at partnering
“Partnering with other sectors is a bit like being a parent. Until you’ve experienced it for yourself, you really can’t appreciate what it’s like” – head of education partnerships of a multinational bank. Inclusive business (IB) projects, by definition, tend to sit in areas outside of companies’ traditional comfort zones. Whether providing incomes to disadvantaged […]
The key to inclusive business: Getting better at partnering
“Partnering with other sectors is a bit like being a parent. Until you’ve experienced it for yourself, you really can’t appreciate what it’s like” – head of education partnerships of a multinational bank. Inclusive business (IB) projects, by definition, tend to sit in areas outside of companies’ traditional comfort zones. Whether providing incomes to disadvantaged […]
Enabling Green and Inclusive Markets – A Case for Public-private Collaboration
Sustainable development and green growth require real dialogue between private and public sector actors on how to improve the operating environment for green and inclusive businesses. To support this, the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED), UN Global Compact and the World Resource Institute’s (WRI) New Ventures initiative, organized an event “Enabling green and inclusive […]
Inclusive innovation to Fight Hunger
Eradicating hunger is amongst the most pressing societal challenges of our times and the lack of substantial progress a shameful failure of the international governance system. Besides the necessary increase in international development aid, a higher emphasis on promoting inclusive innovation to fight hunger is also necessary. This means that low-income countries most affected by […]
Empowering Girls: International Inspiration using sport to tackle gender issues
One thing that gives me a buzz is that the significance of International Inspiration, London 2012’s international legacy programme, is not just about opening doors for children and young people to PE, sport and play. Of course this is important in its own right. But what is exciting is that International Inspiration is using sport […]
Interview: Olympic Medallist, Douglas Wakiihuri
Interview by Chris Markl, Founder, Kourage Athletics Douglas and I connected via mutual friends in the Kenyan running community. After exchanging calls and emails, I was on a plane to Las Vegas, Nevada where Douglas had recently relocated. We spent 15-hours together over a period of two-days. We ate incredible sushi together, which Douglas ordered […]
The Power of Business-Driven Development
In 2011, Africa received $7 billion USD more in foreign direct investment than foreign aid, providing unprecedented potential for large-scale economic growth and opportunity. In fact, as companies expand their operations in frontier markets, we are witnessing businesses from developed and developing countries alike delivering a profound, positive impact through employment opportunities, training and education, […]
Kourage: The Power of Sport to Fight Poverty
I’m Chris Markl an economics professor and an expert on foreign investment and job creation. I’m also the founder of Kourage Athletics. Kourage Athletics is Kenya’s running brand. Our mission is to leverage the tradition of Kenyan runners to create authentically kenyan running apparel. In addition Kourage seeks to become the first African brand that […]