By Kaelo PR

How do we collaborate across industries and sectors to eradicate poverty? Is CSI an unaffordable luxury in a recession? Can creative capitalism truly address Africa’s inequalities? Are social entrepreneurs poised to create a development revolution? How do we drive real, sustainable change in Africa?

These are just some of the questions that the Kaelo Responsible Business Summit is set to address as business leaders; international development experts; NGO’s; government; and thought leaders from the development space gather together from 8 to 9 September at the Turbine Hall, Newtown in Johannesburg.

Following the success of last year’s Business Day Kaelo CSR Conference, the Summit, supported by Absa; MTN SA Foundation; and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) this Summit will focus on discussions which lead to achieving systemic change in social challenges. Facilitators will debate and dissect topics; showcase global trends and best practices; and work with the intellectual capital available in the multi-stakeholder audience to evolve viable and sustainable outcomes that take us forward in the journey towards creating social equity.

“From having attended other conferences both in South Africa and Asia, we realised that there is a dire need for a platform which goes beyond the normal talk-shop approach but seeks to harness the knowledge and expertise available to create workable ways forward. I believe the industry as a whole is tired of discussing definitions and the constant return to basic concepts in CSI and are hungry for a higher level discussion that analyses current practice and finds ways to plug the shortcomings in delivery. Our platform will seek to address that,” says Yogi Nambiar-Varma, Head of CSR Consultancy at Kaelo Worldwide Media.

In a move to encourage interaction and knowledge-sharing, the conference will make use of panel discussions between leading international and local speakers covering topics such as social innovation in times of economic downturn; responsible leadership in the business and social sectors; creative capitalism; and scenario planning in corporate social investment. These discussions will form the basis for in-depth dialogue and debate between delegates with a solutions-oriented approach.

The following speakers have been confirmed at the Kaelo Responsible Business Summit:
- Dion Chang, Founder and Director, Flux Trends;
- Vernie Chetty-Henson, Director, Ashoka Foundation Southern Africa;
- Kojo Parris, Director, ASEN;
- Donald Gibson, Director: Sustainable Development;
- GIBS; Derick de Jongh, Director: Centre for Responsible Leadership, University of Pretoria; and
- Selwyn Jehoma, Deputy Director General from the Department of Social Development.

The following debate leaders will join panel discussions:
-Jabulani Sikhakhane Editor of Business Report will join the panel on Social Entrepreneurship;
- Louise Duys,Corporate Sustainability Manager at Unilever, will join the panel on Creative Capitalism,
- social entrepreneur, Max Pichulik from Heart will be part of the panel on Creative Capitalism;
- while Onkgopotse JJ Tabane from Indalo Yethu will facilitate the panel on Climate Change

Commenting further on the Kaelo Responsible Summit’s programme Nambiar-Varma says, “We are at an exciting time where the realisation of the failure of a pure capitalist system places us in a position of being able to define a more practical system forward; one that draws on the power of business to create social good. We look forward to some vigorous discussion and debate from all stakeholders.”

With more than 200 delegates expected, registration for the Kaelo Responsible Business Summit is now open. The Early Bird Special, which includes access to all workshops, plenary and panel discussion sessions and networking events, costs R5 500 per corporate delegate with a special rate of R3 500 for NGO delegates.
The Early Bird Special closes on 31 July, after which corporate attendance is R6 000 per delegate and R4 000 for NGO representatives.

To register for the Kaelo Responsible Business Summit please Olivia Kern, by calling 011 563 4900 or email [email protected].