Business: Social Leadership in Europe?

Tuesday 29 January 2002, Pinsent Curtis Biddle

Business: Social Leadership in Europe? aimed to explore some of issues that affect and shape the relationship between business and society in a future European polity. Which issues, if any, could form the relationship between the social and free market model of Europe's future? And does business really want to take a leadership role in achieving the social goals of Europe's citizens?

Chaired by Jenny Talbot, the Institute's Chief Executive, the panel comprised of:

• Michael Cashman MEP, West Midlands
• Julie Mellor, Chair, Equal Opportunities Commission
• Professor William Rees, Barrister of Employment Law and Corporate Governance
• Stephen Serpell, Consultant, Department of Trade & Industry

Key Points raised at this discussion included:

• Businesses should play a greater role in promoting social inclusion.
• There is a need to shed the notion that social responsibility is not in the realm of business and that it should be left to the good will of the corporation.
• Immediate action needs to be taken to ensure that British citizens, business, and government engage in social/corporate partnerships to ensure the construction of a better society.
• Good practice equals good business. Corporate Social Responsibility makes good business sense.

To comment on the issues raised or to share your thoughts and ideas on the issues, join our on-line discussion forum.

For further details of Europe & its Citizens - the Future and how to participate, contact Ashika Thanki, the Institute's Development Director at ashika@citizen.org.uk.

Special thanks to Adamson BSMG Worldwide, Accenture, the British Academy, the European Parliament, Glasgow City Council, Pinsent Curtis Biddle, and the Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs Office for their support of Europe & its Citizens - the Future.

Europe & its Citizens - the Future provided a series of discussion forums for people to express their views and opinions, whatever they are, on the issues highlighted. Europe & its Citizens - the Future was a strictly non-partisan project and which did not wish to take a stand on the pro/anti debate around the EU. The views of the participants were, of course, their own and do not represent the view of the Institute for Citizenship or their sponsors.