We live in a rapidly-changing world and recognize that the drivers of global change are complex and interlinked. Today, even just one driver of change can swiftly trigger substantial transformation in our world - for the better or the worse - with broad-ranging implications for our companies and industries.
In this environment, wealth owners are well-advised to constantly assess global macro-trends in order to navigate on the right side of change - for their investments and for the good of our world.
A defined set of values and a monitor for the big picture developments linked with professional investment principles and criteria will make private investments sustainable in the long-term and create targeted Return on Investments.
This highly interactive meeting of the Private Wealth Council is designed as a working session for 25-30 people to understand the criteria for Responsible Investing and how Responsible Investing can make a difference for wealth owners, the investment industry and society at large. The findings of the meeting will be published in the Responsible Wealth Review edition 01-2009.
The program for the meeting on 29 September 2008 will be as following:
Welcome and Introduction to Responsible Investing
Fritz Kaiser and Erik Brenninkmeijer
Why does monitoring the drivers of global change and a set of values make a difference for an investor? Can you make money while you do good? This session will explain that a responsible investor has a choice to be on the right side of change and to make fair long-term return on investments.
Navigating on the right side of change
Christopher Flavin, President, The Worldwatch Institute, Washington
Mr. Flavin will outline in a decsion makers briefing the main global and interdisciplinary trends based on research from the World Watch Institute. The following discussion will examine how responsible investors may navigate on the right side of change.
Case Study 1: 'Good Energies'
Marcel Brenninkmeijer, Founder and Chairman, Good Energies, Zug
Good Energies is one of the leading global investment firms in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry. Mr. Brenninkmeijer will share with us the 'good energies story' and discusses with the group how you can make money while you do good.
Case Study 2: 'One Laptop per Child' (OLPC)
Matt Keller, Director of OLPC, Geneva
Professor Nicholas Negroponte, founder of the MIT Media Lab had the vision that he could offer education for the unprivileged children in third world countries by giving a laptop to each child. We will discuss the mission, strategy, lessons learnt and the opportunities of this exciting project.
Measuring and Reporting on Responsible Investing
Ernst R. Ligteringen, Chief Executive of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Amsterdam
'What gets measured gets done' is a powerful phrase and true for responsible investing. Mr. Ligteringen will outline the importance and the factors of measurement and the standardization of reporting in order to choose best-in-class investment targets.
So what is Responsible Investing for Private Wealth Owners?
Moderated group discussion
'Make money but do no harm' vs. 'How to do good while earning money' will be at the core of this interactive group discussion aimed to bring forward conclusions on principles of the wealth owner, a choice of investment themes and criteria for Responsible Investing.
The day will be summed up with a conclusion and a Farewell Dinner.
