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Viewpoint: Why Is Good Governance Important?
Last week I had the privilege of participating in “The Future of the Corporation: Business for Society Conference” held in Santiago. The conference was organized by the ESE Business School of Universidad de los Andes and the International Academy of Management. This conference brought together leaders from the Chilean business, investor and government sectors, together with civil society represented by NGOs and experts on the role of business society from around the world. I’ve been to a lot of conferences in my time, but I can honestly say this was one of the best I’ve ever attended. One of the reasons for this was the commitment of Professor Alfredo Enrione to position the conference as a starting point for ensuring that the Chilean business community contributes to a Chilean society that is sustainable over the long term.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Latin America
- Tags
- public policy
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Viewpoint: Six Trends That Will Set the Pace for Philanthropy in 2016
With record levels of giving, new approaches to marshaling philanthropic assets for impact, and better approaches to philanthropic strategy, 2015 was a great year for philanthropy. This trend will continue in 2016.
- Categories
- Investing
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The Top 10 Best (and Worst) Performing Socially Responsible Mutual Funds
Investors sometimes get a bad rap. Perceived as greedy individuals who will invest in any company — corrupt or otherwise — that boasts high returns, investors can be pegged as only having money on the mind. However, a recently emerging investment philosophy, known as socially responsible investing, is poised to challenge that opinion.
- Categories
- Investing
- Tags
- impact investing
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Orange May Become Bank With Groupama Takeover
France's Orange has revealed it is in negotiations to acquire a 65% stake in Groupama Banque and set itself up as a fully fledged bank offering savings, loans, insurance and other financial services.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Europe & Eurasia
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2015’s Most Influential Post Winners Are …
It comes as no surprise that financial technology (fintech) trends that brought "the unbanked" somewhat closer to true financial inclusion, dominated our Our Most Influential Post of the Year Contest. But what was surprising, at least in terms of the results of our contest this year, were the geographies in question.
- Categories
- Investing
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Financing the Farming of the Future
According to the World Bank, 78 percent of the world’s poor are rural poor, and many of them are farmers. If you are looking for social returns, there are few better places to invest than in agriculture. Yet, we see significant unmet capital needs. At Calvert Foundation is interested in bringing additional capital to grow this important sector and encouraging other private investors to join as well. Fair trade lending has been an important movement in the agriculture sector, and has led to the creation of critical jobs and economic activity. But how can we learn from pioneer investors and encourage capital to address the significant gaps in financing for innovations in the value chains for locally consumed crops?
- Categories
- Agriculture, Investing
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Electrifying India, With the Sun and Small Loans
A few years ago, the hundred or so residents of Paradeshappanamatha, a secluded hamlet in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, gathered along the central pathway between their 22 densely clustered homes, and watched as government workers hoisted a solar-powered streetlamp. As the first display of electricity in the town, it was an object of mild interest, but, being outside, the light didn’t help anyone cook or study, and only attracted moths.
- Region
- South Asia
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Social enterprises increasingly getting more capital, from impact and venture capital funds
GoCoop now has 250 cooperatives on its ecommerce platform and B2B customers include the likes of Levi's and Reliance Retail. While Devireddy used his savings of 10 years and funds from his colleagues to get his dream project off the ground, the startup later raised seed funding and is currently in the process of closing its Series A round of funds, both from impact investors.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- impact investing
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