| New Report Sheds Light on Poverty Footprint of Corporate Value Chains |
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30/03/2011 02:29 (418 Day 08:03 minutes ago) | |||||
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The FINANCIAL -- New York. On March 29, the UN Global Compact hosted a panel discussion on a new report developed by Oxfam America, The Coca-cola Company and SABMiller.
Exploring the Links between International Business and Poverty Reduction documents the findings of an in-depth study about the economic and social impact of both companies’ value chains on communities in El Salvador and Zambia.
According to Global Compact, the report is based on a poverty footprint methodology developed by Oxfam that provides a framework for measuring private sector impacts on communities. The methodology looks across value chains to provide a comprehensive understanding of how companies are impacting sustainable livelihoods, health and well-being, diversity and gender, empowerment, and security and stability, all key dimensions of poverty. The report details positive impacts The Coca-cola Company and SABMiller are having in both countries, including job creation, the development of entrepreneurial skills and technical training. The report also includes recommendations for workplace improvements, along with improvements in areas such as gender, water and opportunities for small businesses.
The launch event in New York featured a panel presentation by Raymond C. Offenheiser, President, Oxfam America; Clyde Tuggle, Senior Vice President, Global Public Affairs and Communications, The Coca-cola Company; and Sue Clark, Corporate Affairs Director, SAB Miller. The discussion was facilitated by Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.
"The fact that The Coca-cola Company and SABMiller underwent such a detailed footprinting is in itself remarkable – this is a true example of stakeholder engagement," said Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. "The true value of this effort will be realized in two, three or five years, when we see how these organizations have built on the report to address these issues."
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