Summit '08
On October 24th 2008, Business for Millennium Development (B4MD) held its inaugural B4MD Summit at the Park Hyatt, Melbourne, Australia.
The B4MD Summit was the first event of its kind in Australia. Through a series of business case studies, the event sought to outline the business opportunity that exists in engaging with low income communities in the Asia Pacific region and the win-win outcomes that can be achieved for both these communities and businesses alike in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Co-hosted by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), AusAID and B4MD, the Summit was opened by the Honourable Stephen Smith MP, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs.
On behalf of the Prime Minister and the Australian Government, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith thanked delegates for assembling to consider ways of applying their business skills to alleviate poverty in Australia's region and throughout the world.
Approximately 150 delegates from Australia's private and development sectors attended the Summit. Economic and development leaders from the World Bank and UN, as well as global and local business leaders from KPMG, IBM, ANZ, TATA (India), Macquarie Capital, OilSearch, Pacific Brands and Morgan Stanley addressed those in attendance on the day.
Reflecting on the Summit, B4MD CEO, Mark Ingram said, "We are excited about the enthusiasm and interest that was generated from this event and look forward to using this momentum to further engage corporate Australia in 2009."
Following the success of the Summit, B4MD will be launching a series of workshops beginning early 2009. These workshops will be held throughout the year in both Sydney and Melbourne and will provide those attending with an opportunity to discuss ways in which Australian companies can work towards achieving the MDGs through profitable core business operations.
Transcripts of discussion generated from the day as well as photos, speaker information, the Summit program, and speech notes from Foreign Minister Smith and Paul Hohnen, Special Advisor the UN Global Compact, can be located on our website.
To discuss the B4MD Summit or the B4MD initiative please contact
David Faulmann - contactus@b4md.com.au or 0448 246 301