Plans Concluded for CEO Forum 2014

The Foundation for CSR & Children’s Rights (“CSR Children”) has confirmed that their 2nd Annual CEO Forum on Children’s Rights & Business Principles (Nigeria) will take place in London at the offices of KPMG International on October 8, 2014. The event, a high level Business Leaders Breakfast Forum will discuss the theme: The Girl Dividend in Nigeria: Why Should CEOs Care?”

The discussions will focus on the economic necessity of investing in the girl child for the transformation of Africa. The event is strictly by invitation and will draw together, key figures in the international community of CSR, Sustainability & Human Rights; Nigerian business leaders from various industry sectors; a representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria and seasoned academics & researchers in the field of Children’s Rights/Human Rights & Business.

The event which was scheduled to take place in Lagos has now been moved to London due to health concerns on the Ebola outbreak and fears that international guest speakers billed for the event will be prevented from flying into the country to participate in the Forum.

Speaking to Toyin Olakanpo, President of the Foundation, she said that though Nigeria was not a high risk Ebola country, it was important to avoid a situation where the forum will be cancelled suddenly, “As we speak now, direct flights from Ivory Coast to Nigeria have been cancelled. A lot of preparation has gone into the event that we must ensure that it goes on,” – she said.

The Keynote Speaker for the event is Cecilia Akintomide,Vice President & Secretary General of the African Development Bank. Ms Akintomide’s choice as Keynote was influenced by the African Development Bank’s 4 year Gender Strategy on the need to invest in gender equality for the transformation of Africa, launched earlier this year. Lord Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick, Global Head of Citizenship at KPMG will give the Opening Address. The theme of Children’s Rights is directly relevant to KPMGs Human Rights Commitment. KPMG won the “Sustainable Firm of the Year” at 2013 IAB Awards.

The inaugural event of CSR Children Foundation took place last year where the Governor of Lagos State, delivered the Keynote Address and commended the Foundation for seeking to engage the private sector to support Children’s Rights and the governments efforts in meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

For more details or enquiries, please visit the forum website at info@csr-ceoforum.com/2014 or send an email to: info@csrchildren.com

Date published: August 20, 2014