Business Mobilization Propels Forward
An unprecedented package of business actions—including a global business/UN health-action roadmap for optimal cross-sector coordination, and a pathway for large and small companies plus organizations ranging in size from global to local to engage with each other; a New York Stock Exchange/Euronext-led tighter integration of business into the malaria fight; and a series of critical-action teams to be deployed in Africa—kick off on June 9 in New York.
The Coalition, led by Richard Holbrooke, John Tedstrom, and 225 companies, sees the package as an indication of the maturing of the business fight, and a signal that cross-sector coordination will be the key to success in turning the corner in the so-far losing battle against HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria.
Coalition executive director Tedstrom says the fight has reached a special moment--and was joined by members in urging business and its partners to "seize the moment."
What's special about this moment?
- Business’ engagement and effectiveness in fighting disease has finally been built up to where it needs to be. Business has finally moved beyond isolated workplace disease-prevention programs to all-out community and national initiatives that include treatment and counseling. And the number and types of businesses engaged has grown dramatically over the past seven years.
- Lack of coordination—a huge impediment to all development and aid—is giving over to working partnerships. Community organizations, NGOs, and businesses used to be suspicious of each other, at best. But now, calls come from all quarters for business to take action through local, national, and global partnerships. On Monday, developing-country health ministers and heads of AIDS organizations, local organizers, and big business will be under one roof in NY, a testament to partnership. It’s for business-action awards, which are all being earned by companies making major partnership progress.
- The business case is stronger now than a few years ago. The original business case had to do with health of employees. One of today’s main motivators is the bottom of the pyramid promise of profits. There’s more to it than that, but businesses are now compelled to act in bigger ways than before. It’s also a corporate responsibility, of course…and it would be a sad irony if philanthropy and action on making a healthy planet left the planet populated with sick and dying people.
