International Working Group: Events

The IWG annually hosts symposia for members to get together, discuss opportunities and developments in international socially responsible investing, and hear from invited speakers about up-and-coming issues of concern.

2010 Fall Symposium

"Sustainability Leadership

in Emerging Markets"

November 18, 2010
San Antonio, TX

At the International Working Group's half-day symposium, preceding the 2010 SRI in the Rockies Conference, leaders in corporate disclosure and engagement practics discussed environmental and social sustainability issues as they apply to investment within emerging market economies.

Speakers and Presentations

Keynote Address: Integrated Reporting in Emerging Markets

• Michael Krzus, Grant Thornton LLP
  Presentation
  

ESG Disclosure and Integrated Reporting

Presenters discussed the issues of best practice in environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics in emerging markets, what are the opportunities and challenges in sustainability reporting and gathering of ESG data. They focused, specifically, on the role of integrated reporting in improving emerging markets’ corporate sustainability practices and social responsibility performance.

• Mark Bytheway, Sustainable Investment Research Institute (SIRIS)
• Rina Levy, Bloomberg, LP
  Presentation
  
• Heather Lang, Jantzi-Sustainalytics
  Presentation
  

Emerging Markets Disclosure Project: Lessons Learned

The Emerging Markets Disclosure Project (EMDP) is an international initiative led by Boston Common Asset Management, Calvert Investments, US SIF and its International Working Group, with advisory support from the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI). Since 2008, the group has been working to assess and improve corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG or sustainability) reporting in emerging markets. Several ‘country team’ representatives from India and South Korea shared their engagement experiences to date, as well as a representative from AfricaSIF who relayed emerging ESG trends across the continent.

• Lauren Compere, Boston Common Asset Management (South Korea Team Lead)
  Presentation
  
• Seth Freeman, EM Capital Management (India Team Lead)
• Graham Sinclair, AfricaSIF
• Peter Webster, Ethical Investment Research Services (EIRIS)
  Presentation