This website provides practical knowledge and tools focusing on social, environmental and economic development issues for companies, civil society, local and regional governments.
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From Challenge to Opportunity: The Role of Business in Tomorrow's Society
February 2006
Companies able to tackle issues such as poverty, climate change and population shifts are those most likely to succeed in the future. This is a view shared by eight global business leaders in a major new publication from the WBCSD.
A Systematic Approach to Project Social Risk & Opportunity Management
2008
The new briefing note addresses systematic approaches to managing social risk and opportunity for large projects. The document summarises lessons from EAP’s extractive industries and public infrastructure programmes, including collaborative research with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), International Alert and the Actuarial Profession/Institution of Civil Engineers Joint Working Party on Project Risk Appraisal. It also draws on leading thinking on social risk management from organisations such as the IFC, the World Resources Institute and the CSR Initiative at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Sustainability Opportunity and Threat Analysis (SOTA) Workbook
This workbook is intended to provide sufficient information and resources to allow anyone to conduct or participate in a SOTA exercise. It is divided into three parts:
This first section describes the background to the project, and also briefly summarizes the twin themes of sustainable development and risk management which underlie the project. It concludes by providing an overview of the SOTA process which brings these themes together;
The second section steps through the SOTA process one stage at a time. It describes the purpose and outputs of each stage, providing relevant examples to illustrate key points wherever possible. The discussion of each step is concluded with a list of key issues to be considered; and
The third and final section provides generic resources that could be used and adapted to form the basis of a site-focused exercise. These include risk analysis protocols (consequence tables and probability scales), and generic prompt lists. The latter will, by definition, require modification and expansion for any particular site. They are designed to provide an initial framework for further information gathering prior to a workshop.
Throughout the manual examples are provided in shaded sections to illustrate the points being discussed. In addition key messages are presented in highlighted boxes.
Directory of Development Organizations: Resource Guide to Development Organizations and the Internet
The directory of development organizations, listing 51 500 development organizations, has been prepared to facilitate international cooperation and knowledge sharing in development work, both among civil society organizations, research institutions, governments and the private sector.
The directory aims to promote interaction and active partnerships among governments, private sector and key development organisations in civil society, including NGOs, trade unions, faith-based organizations, indigenous peoples movements, foundations and research centres. In creating opportunities for dialogue with governments and private sector, civil society organizations are helping to amplify the voices of the poorest people in the decisions that affect their lives, improve development effectiveness and sustainability and hold governments and policy makers publicly accountable.
For further information, please see Directory.
Promoting Gender Equality in the Private Sector — Hiring Women in Mining Production Jobs
June 2005
Increasing evidence indicates that women do not generally benefit from mining operations. In fact, they tend to bear a greater share of the negative impacts. Mining not only creates few employment opportunities for women, but it also displaces farms and other sectors in which women are traditionally employed. However, advances in technology have increased opportunities for women to participate and benefit from mining operations. Programa Mujer, which promoted the hiring of women in mining production jobs in Chile, is an innovative example of how to break with tradition that excludes women from mining operations.
Sample Terms of Reference and Community Development Plans
2008
CommDev supports the implementation of projects that directly benefit communities and demonstrate good practice community development. The Information Clearinghouse brings together good practice examples, case studies and supporting tools on "what worked" as well as a process framework: practical and experience-based guidance on how to create community development programs, manage them, build support for them and communicate their efforts to partners and stakeholders.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
2007
There are two simple values that lie at the core of the foundation’s work:
- All lives—no matter where they are being led—have equal value.
- To whom much is given, much is expected.
The CEO Water Mandate - Framework for Responsible Business Engagement with Water Policy
June 2010
The CEO Water Mandate presents a “Framework for Responsible Business Engagement with Water Policy” that provides a way for companies to address risk and capture opportunities stemming from external conditions that cannot be achieved through changes in internal management alone.
Charities Aid Foundation
2007
CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) is a registered charity. They help to put individuals and companies in control of their giving, and enable charities to make the most of what they get.