At the avant-garde of societal responsability with the Clinton Global Initiative
On June 30th 2008, the Forum d’Action Modernités organized, at the initiative of Philippe Lemoine, Chairman & CEO of LaSer, and in presence of Robert S. Harrison, CEO of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) an event focused on the theme : « At the Avant-garde of societal responsibility with the Clinton Global Initiative » at L’Échangeur (Paris).
President Clinton established the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in 2005 to turn ideas into action. A non-partisan initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation, CGI moves beyond discussion, fostering a shared sense of responsibility to address major global problems. From presidents to academics, from the boardroom to the classroom, CGI members from all walks of life are affecting positive change. CGI’s emphasis is on action. Over three years, CGI members have made nearly 1,000 commitments to improve more than 200 million lives in over 100 countries. In 2008, CGI focuses again on education, energy & climate change, global health, and poverty alleviation.
This event was the occasion to introduce CGI’s action for the first time in Europe.
Around Robert S. Harrison and Philippe Lemoine, were gathered sixty European leading companies and forty non-profit organizations. Several European companies and NGOs already involved in CGI presented their commitment – idea transformed into development action - within CGI and opened a dialogue with the audience on the new principles of Corporate Societal Engagement.
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.
Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Begin it now.
Goethe
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Video: extract from Michael Porter's keynote speech at the Clinton Global Initiative, New York City, september 27, 2007
