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Economic and financial crises, scandals, climate and social changes, prove us each day that addressing the economy in a different way becomes obvious. That is the reason why Positive-Economy.eu, a project aimed at promoting responsible economic behavior organizes a conference about positive economy. The conference is meant for entrepreneurs, CEOs, Human Resources managers, European and Government Officials to demonstrate it is possible to have a profitable business with a social and environmental added value.

The day will be introduced by tree experts who will talk about the urgent need to change the economy to synchronize it with the challenges of our society. We will hear Messrs Eric de Keuleneer (Professor at the Solvay Business School and author), Paul-Marie Boulanger (Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Development) and Hans Donckers (Vice secretary general at Epegon, The European People Governance Network).

Positive entrepreneurs will follow and tell their stories. These pioneers of positive economy,
who
have by conviction integrated social and environmental values into
their core-business. Amongst them Olivier Desurmont founder of Sineo
(www.sineo.fr) a car wash solution using no water but only 100%
biodegradable products as well as Nicolette Mak who started a few years
ago Valid Express (www.validexpress.nl) an express freight company
employing only physically disabled people.

During the second
part of the day 8 workshops will take place. The goal of those
workshops is to talk concretely about different fields like sustainable
finance and reporting, fair trade products, eco certification or
corporate values. Each workshop will be led by an expert coming from a
key organization. Entrepreneurs who have already implemented positive
economy in their business will bring concrete advice based on their
experience. At the end of each session 10 key steps to look forward
will be provided.

The symposium “How to build a positive
economy?” will take place on the 16th June 2009 at the Finance Tower -
Boulevard du Jardin Botanique 50, 1000 Brussels. From 9 am till 5 pm.
Registration is mandatory.

For any information please visit our website: www.positive-economy.eu

Our
conference is supported by: Flanders and Walloon region, Federal Public
Service for Sustainable Development, BeFair, BTC-CTB, Triodos, BECI,
Kauri, The Hub, Business & Society, MVO Vlaanderen, RSE Wallonnie,
Apaces, CSR Europe, Jade, RFA, FGF.

9th June 2009

Article 13 supports National Liftshare day (https://www.liftshare.com) (NLSD) which in 2009 is being held on Tuesday, 9 June. We intend to raise awareness of the environmental, social and economic benefits of sharing transport. This
initiative is in keeping with the growing and heightened demands for
sustainability, social responsibility and environmental protection. If
even a minority of people share lifts on this day, there will be a
significant reduction in carbon emissions. Imagine what the positive impact would be, if the majority of the population get involved. Make a difference, share a lift!!

Some positive implications of sharing transport are:

1. Reduction in pollution levels.
2. Reduction in overall carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions entering the atmosphere.
3. It has economic benefits for the participants through reducing overall petrol costs.
4. Less traffic congestion and safer roads.
5. Social interaction of sharing a lift rather than driving on your lonesome.

Article 13 advocates building awareness for NLSD, through some or all of the following actions:

1. Tell your friends / family and colleagues about the benefits of sharing transport.
2. Set an example by sharing transport and highlight the benefits of sharing lifts.
3. Encourage your colleagues to promote car-sharing in the work place.
4. Use online social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter to spread the word more widely.

Here at Article 13, in the build up to Tuesday, 9 June, we will include the NLSD logo and link, as well as a brief descriptor on our email signatures to disseminate this initiative to our network of clients, associates and in-house team.

To read more see Article 13 case study:

• Liftshare.com: The emergence of ‘climate change’ as a CSR issue which is also providing an opportunity for ‘social entrepreneurship’.

http://www.article13.com/A13_ContentList.asp?strAction=GetPublication&PNID=1343

For information on how Article 13 can assist you in auditing your company’s practices, developing environmental action plans, and reducing your business’s related impact on the environment, contact Fiona Banyard on 020 8840 4450 or email fionab@article13.com