EABIS was recently invited to speak at the annual British Bankers Association Corporate
Responsibility Conference (May 11), an important event in the financial calendar attended by CR executives and managers from many of the UK’s leading institutions. Executive Director Peter Lacy addressed the audience on the evolution of the European policy perspective on corporate responsibility since the creation of EABIS. The speech included reflections on the state of the current regulatory debate in light of the EU Commission’s Communication on CSR, and above all enabled the research projects being carried out by EABIS members to be showcased before a high-level and influential
audience.

As such, the event reinforced further the strong reputation that EABIS is developing around Europe as a reference point for insight into CR issues at the European level. The presentation also included a prominent discussion of the results of the 2005-2006 research project led by ESADE Business School with SDA Bocconi and the Norwegian School of Management on the changing role of governments in CR.

The FIR (french SIF), supported by Eurosif, is proud to announce the second installment of the FIR European Research Award 2006. This Award has been conceived to encourage more academic research in the fields of finance and sustainability (see attached presentation).

The jury will be composed of European finance or sustainability academics - as well as of expert practitioners. As was the case last year, the best PhD, the best Master's thesis and the best article will each be granted €5000 prizes. In addition this year, two research grants of €3000 each will be awarded in two fields:"financial instruments" and social issues.

Winners will be profiled in the french daily Le Monde, a partner in the project, and in other european media. Submissions will be expected over the summer (deadline Oct 1st) and the award ceremony will take place on december 4th, 2006 in Paris.

For more information: www.frenchsif.org