HRH The Prince of Wales Meets with CBSR, Canadian Business Leaders

HRH The Prince of Wales Meets with CBSR, Canadian Business Leaders

During the Royal Visit to Canada, HRH The Prince of Wales joined a working session of Canadian business leaders organized by Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR) on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 in Toronto.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is a Patron of CBSR and is recognized as a global leader on responsible business practice. His Royal Highness, with Canadian business leaders, discussed the elements that create successful leadership on corporate social responsibility and the ways that Canadian executives can use them to advance their own practices.

“This meeting provides a unique opportunity for Canadian leaders to learn from and exchange ideas with one of the world’s foremost advocates for corporate social responsibility.” says Adine Mees, President & CEO, Canadian Business for Social Responsibility.

The cross-sectoral group of 35 CEOs and senior leaders also identified Canadian CSR leadership successes and critical challenges. Hosted by Phillip Crawley, Publisher & CEO, The Globe and Mail, Rupert Duchesne, President & CEO, Groupe Aeroplan Inc., and Adine Mees, CEOs in attendance include: Eric Gales, President, Microsoft Canada, Sean Miller, President, Motorola Canada and Dene Rogers, President & CEO, Sears Canada.

"Microsoft Canada firmly believes that doing the right thing is not only good for communities, it's also good for business," said Eric Gales, President, Microsoft Canada. "The expanding network of Canadian leaders concerned with business, social and environmental performance will benefit from HRH The Prince of Wales global perspective."
 

During the session, HRH The Prince of Wales spoke passionately to the experiences of non-traditional forms of community investment.  "There was a high level of interest amongst the participants to continue to work together, to collaborate on solutions, and also a realization that a leadership network of this kind does not exist." says Mees.  "I look forward to working with the CBSR team to support these visionary CEOs in their work to advance the CSR agenda in Canada and intend to report our progress back to HRH The Prince of Wales."

The group of corporate leaders touched on the opportunities for deeper levels of transformative and systems change, and the business leaders role in inspiring that change and creating a culture of responsibility, integrity and accountability.
 

To view photos of this event, please visit here.