NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

As the impact investing market approaches $9 trillion, a growing number of asset owners (such as pension funds, endowments, and sovereign wealth funds) and the investment managers that advise them are making meaningful investment commitments for impact. And yet the management practices and disclosures required to report on impact performance are still a work in progress. Professor Cathy Clark, Faculty Director of Fuqua’s Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE), will discuss CASE’s recent market research with specific guidance for impact investors on how to avoid accusations of green- or impact-washing.

The lingering impacts of COVID-19 and significant technological advances are putting new demands on education systems, including technical and vocational programs, professional training providers, and traditional higher education institutions. Our conference will explore how tertiary education in low- and middle-income countries can be adapted to reach more students and ensure they have the relevant skills to find good jobs. This includes the role of technology and digitalization in education delivery models, and their importance for improving reach and quality of education programs.

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming webinar that will explore how we can put the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track in Africa, and the critical role that corporate Africa can play in revitalizing progress. The webinar will feature Joe Ogutu, the Chair of the Board of Directors of Safaricom Foundation, and Karen Basiye, Director of Sustainable Business and Social Impact, who will share how Kenyan technology company Safaricom has successfully integrated the SDGs into its corporate mission and strategy. Despite global efforts to achieve the SDGs, reports show that our progress has hit a roadblock. However, Safaricom stands out as a leader in corporate engagement towards the SDGs. A recent article by Amanda Williams explores the reasons for the stagnation in SDG progress and uses Safaricom as one of the case studies in best practices to reinvigorate our collective efforts. Safaricom’s approach to the SDGs has enhanced its business performance, social impact, and environmental responsibility. The company has leveraged its connectivity and innovation to provide solutions for health, education, and energy, while also managing its operations ethically and sustainably. The webinar will be the second part of the series based on the article, and it will explore best practices to reinvigorate our collective efforts towards getting the SDGs back on track in Africa. The first part of the series delves into the research behind it, and an on-demand recording of the webinar is available here. According to Amanda’s research on corporate SDG engagement practices, many companies engage with the SDGs, but their activities often lead to SDG washing. The article proposes three key practices that are driving meaningful change: aligning the SDGs with revenues, integrating the SDGs with the company’s purpose statement, and innovating and partnering for SDG impact.

Time: 7:00 AM ET