MIAMI – Inter-American Development Bank President Enrique V. Iglesias today called on business leaders to become key protagonists for the development of Latin America, both individually and in alliances with other sectors of society. He offered the support of the multilateral organizations as partners of the public and private sectors to promote projects for corporate social responsibility.
“No doubt, private enterprise plays a fundamental role in economic growth, in the creation of public well-being, in satisfying the needs of society, as a source of employment and of poverty reduction: in a nutshell, an instrument for development,” said Iglesias at the opening session of the Americas Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility: “Alliances for Development.”
Under this fundamental role, private enterprise also has the responsibility to assure that the development it promotes be harmonic, equitable and sustainable, he said.
Iglesias added that governments need to create a favorable framework for corporate social activities, while civil society could stimulate it and multilateral organizations could and should support the process. Referring to joint responsibility of all sectors, he said that the challenge is not “everybody save himself,” but rather, “let’s all save ourselves together.”
The conference was organized by the IDB together with the World Bank (WB) and the Organization of American States (OAS). More than 500 official participants from the public and private sectors are discussing today and tomorrow the benefits, impact and results of corporate social responsibility and the search for strategic alliances to promote development.
This first Hemispherewide meeting of its kind brings together executives of enterprises, academics, and representatives of governments, multilateral institutions and civil society.
The conference is a result of a proposal adopted by Western Hemisphere governments during the third Summit of the Americas, which was held last year in Quebec, Canada.
Nicaragua President Enrique Bolaños was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at a luncheon today. The Canadian government and the Inter-American Foundation are sponsors of the conference, and co-sponsors include the University of Miami, the International Finance Corporation, the Centro de Estudios para América Latina (CEAL), the Avina and Grupo Nueva organizations, Citigroup and Starbucks, among others.
The participants in the opening ceremony also included the Miami Mayor Manuel A. Díaz; the personal representative of the prime minister of Canada for the Summit of the Americas, Assistant Deputy Minister Marc Lortie; OAS Secretary General César Gaviria; the World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean David de Ferranti; and the IFC Executive Vice President Peter Woicke.
In simultaneous sessions participants are discussing local economic and community development in conjunction with civil society and partnerships through the new philanthropy and volunteerism. Later on they will analyze the role of investors and consumers, business as a role model beyond the supply chain and the role of the media.
U.S.Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Otto J. Reich was scheduled to speak at the end of today’s sessions.