The EABIS 2006 Leaders Forum took place in late April at the Suez-Tractebel headquarters in Brussels. Hosted by EABIS Chairman Viscount Etienne Davignon, the event brought together senior representatives from across the Business and Academic Groups to discuss key strategic issues surrounding the continued evolution of the EABIS mission and the growth of the organisation.

At the centre of the Forum was the inaugural Research, Education and Training Exchange. Mirroring the successful Education and Training Exchange from the Warsaw 2005 Colloquium and the CSR Europe Marketplace events on which it is modelled, the Exchange created a platform to display the cutting-edge research being conducted in the EU Commission-funded RESPONSE and CSR Platform Projects, and the new knowledge development emerging from the projects funded by EABIS’ founding corporate partners, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Shell and Unilever.

A series of open, interactive presentations given by project leaders and engaged researchers enabled senior institutional figures to learn more about the tangible outputs that are being delivered by EABIS research teams across Europe, key learnings that are of course available to the entire network (check EABIS Main community for more information).

The European Commission has launched its new EU Communication on CSR and plans for a European Alliance on the topic. CSR Europe, founding partner of EABIS, has been closely involved in both developments following its European Roadmap on CSR in 2005.

Specifically related to EABIS’ mission, the EU Communication on CSR and the EU European Business Alliance both stress the crucial role of knowledge development and learning on corporate responsibility in companies and academia. “Research” and “Education” are highlighted as 2 of the 8 priority areas, with business schools and universities given responsibility for achieving these EU’s goals.

This is an important and empowering message for EABIS and its members. It comes at an excellent time as EABIS celebrates three years of growth and success as a network. EABIS looks forward to discussing how it can build on this momentum with you.

For further information: EU CSR Policy Launch and EU European Business Alliance.