Brussels, 10 February 2008


Why we believe this Forum is important?

Today’s crisis brings our financial, economic and governance systems to an unprecedented moment of truth. Time
has come for business, investors, governments, civil society, academia and the cultural and spiritual communities to
engage in a new round of “glocal” diplomacy to rebuild trust and hope in the capacity of business and all players to
compete with integrity and contribute to shaping a fair and sustainable society.

Europe’s strategy “To Make Europe a Pole of Excellence on Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR), initiated by the
European Commission in March 2006 and the European Plans for Sustainable Production and Consumption are at
the forefront of such a cultural shift.

Their success greatly depends on our capacity to build competitive advantage
through more and sometimes unconventional partnerships. What is at stake is Europe’s quest to serve its citizens,
protect the environment and earn a just place in the world.

Fortunately, more and more business practitioners across
Europe around the globe, together with pioneering stakeholder organisations, have accelerated their efforts over
the last 2 years to turn societal pressures and expectations into new opportunities for sustainable growth with inclusive
engagement and equitable outcomes for all.

We strongly welcome the gathering of the European Multi Stakeholder Forum organised by the EC. It offers a unique
platform for dialogue. It can also act as “clearing house” where company and stakeholder practitioners, social
partners and NGOs, investors and public authorities can take stock and pool together their vision and values, their
know-how and courage, their trials and errors to give a new push to corporate social responsibility.

Our experience in 2007 and 2008 - through CSR Europe’s initiatives, the European Alliance for CSR and in particular, the CSR
Laboratories – has provided clear evidence on the “power of collaboration” when business and stakeholders cobuild
practical solutions and tools towards true and long-term value creation.

Our main contribution to this 2009 Forum will be CSR Europe’s Toolbox launched on 4 December 2008. Capitalizing on
two years of intense business and stakeholder cooperation, this CSR Toolbox is the starting point for accelerated
action and innovation.

Not only does it provide tools and practical recommendations; it also gives new hope that
together we can nurture our societies and market systems through enlightened entrepreneurship and solidarity.



Source: EU website

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/csr/documents/stakeholder_forum/csreurope.pdf


Cheers

Italo