Corporate Responsibility in African Development: Insights from an Emerging Dialog

On May 21st and 22nd 2010, in Beijing a diverse group of practitioners from China, Uganda, Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, the US, and Europe gathered to discuss the role and experience of business in sustainable development in Africa. Each of the contributors brought their own experience of working to advance sustainable development through corporate social responsibility* in Africa. The meeting was a chance to share experiences and build relationships for ongoing learning.

The forum hosted by The Institute of West‐Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (IWAAS‐CASS), in cooperation with the Department for International Development of the UK Government, the World Bank, the Delegation of the European Union, The US Embassy, and Norwegian Embassy and the World Bank Group, brought together people from state owned enterprises and private companies, from multi‐sector initiatives such as the UN Global Compact, the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, the Global Reporting Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council and from government agencies mandated with overseas development and with the regulation of businesses.