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Category: Honourees

Announcement of the 2016 Oslo Business for Peace Award Honourees

Tuesday, 08 March 2016 14:01

March 8, 2016 – Oslo, Norway: Today, on International Women’s Day, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark highlighted the role of female business leaders in driving positive societal change as she announced this year’s Business for Peace Honourees.

Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Program, announced the three winners of the 2016 Oslo Business for Peace Award; Sarah Beydoun from Lebanon, Dr Jennifer Nkuene Riria from Kenya and Tore Lærdal from Norway.“This year’s winners are exceptional role models who exemplify how ethical and responsible business action can drive positive societal change”, said Clark in the press conference taking place at the Oslo City Hall. “I am visiting Oslo, Norway in connection with International Women’s Day, and I am therefore particularly pleased to present these very distinct and highly successful women leaders”, she added.

Business for Peace Founder and Chairman, Per L. Saxegaard, highlighted the increasingly important role of the business actions of individuals; “Business has historically been seen as part of the problem, not a part of the solution. However, in the wake of the consensus for the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Agreement, business’ role as a problem solver in society has never been as important as it is today.”
The Award Ceremony will take place in Oslo City Hall on May 3 as part of the annual Business for Peace Summit. The Summit is gaining increasing support and interest, and the Foundation was proud to announce today that His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon will attend this year’s event.

An independent committee of Nobel Laureates in peace and economics selects the Honourees from a pool of nominees put forward by the UN Development Program, UN Global Compact and the International Chamber of Commerce.

“In their own very special ways, each of the honorees has made significant contributions to their societies.  In a field of extraordinary leaders, their vision and passion stand out.  They deserve recognition, admiration and respect, and more than that, our gratitude”, said Professor Michael Spence of Stanford University who is one of five members of the Award Committee.

These three Honourees will join the thirty-six previous winners of the Award, a group that includes individuals such as Paul Polman, Arif Naqvi, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Sir Richard Branson, Ratan Tata and Mo Ibrahim.

The 2016 Award Ceremony will be held in Oslo City Hall, May 3 2016 16:45-18:30 CET. The Ceremony is open to the public, but registration is required. You can register here.
The Ceremony will also be streamed live on the Business for Peace website.

The 2016 Honourees are:

Sarah Beydoun, Lebanon

Ms Beydoun is the founder and creative director of Sarah’s Bag. This internationally successful company has a business model that includes social rehabilitation for underprivileged women who learn valuable skills and earn an income as well as a sense of dignity and empowerment. By following her heart – both for fashion and women at risk – Ms Beydoun has created a robust business despite the difficult circumstances in the region.

Dr Jennifer Nkuene Riria, Kenya

Dr Riria is Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding (KWH) and has led Kenya Women Microfinance Bank (KWFT) for over two decades. KWFT grants loans to marginalized women and their families, serving over 1.5 million women and disbursing over US$ 2.3 billion over a period of 20 years. Through her important work, Dr Riria brings economic empowerment to marginalised women, contributing to build peace even during times of conflict.

Mr Tore Lærdal, Norge

Mr Lærdal is the Executive Chairman of Laerdal Medical, the global leader in resuscitation training and therapy products. Laerdal Global Health is a non-profit affiliate of Laerdal Medical, and provides affordable products to help save lives at birth in poor countries. The goal of the group with partners is to help save 500,000 lives per year by 2020. Mr. Lærdal is an example of how linking business to a wider, social purpose can create exceptional results – for both business and society.

 

About Business for Peace

Business for Peace is an Oslo-based foundation that works to redefine the notion of success in business and to promote an evolved form of capitalism. This endeavour is manifested by recognising exceptional individuals who exemplify the concept of being businessworthy. That is, applying one’s business energy ethically and responsibly to create value for all. An independent committee of Nobel laureates in peace and economics selects the Honourees from a pool of nominees put forward by our global partners in the United Nations and the International Chamber of Commerce. By facilitating this process and promoting these individuals, the vision is to unlock the positive power that lays in business to the benefit of peace and prosperity.

Nominations for 2015 – now open!

 Friday, 19 September 2014 14:57

The nomination process for 2015 has started. Nominations are done through the local Chamber of Commerce, UNDP or UNGC offices.

For the highest distinction that can be given to a business person for outstanding businessworthy accomplishments. We are searching the world for successful individuals within the business community, who are role models to others, advocating the importance of creating shared value in societies where they are active, and having earned the trust of all stakeholders.

For more information get in touch or contact one of our nominating partners: Your local Chamber of Commerce, UNDP or UNGC offices.

Nominating closing on January 15th 2015

The Award Ceremony will take place in Oslo in May 2015

Meet the 2014 Honourees

Friday, 11 April 2014 12:00

The 2014 Oslo Business for Peace Honourees have been named by the Foundation’s independent Award Committee consisting of Nobel Prize winners in Peace and Economics. The Honourees’ significant contributions to a wider acceptance of businessworthy behavior will be recognized during the Oslo Business for Peace Summit and Award on May 15, 2014, in the Oslo City Hall.

The Oslo Business for Peace Award is the highest form of recognition given to individual business leaders for fostering peace and stability through creating shared value between business and society. The world-wide search for the 2014 Honourees is a joint effort by the International Chamber of Commerce, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Global Compact and the Oslo based Business for Peace Foundation.

The 2014 Business for Peace Honourees

Selima Ahmad (Bangladesh)

Selima Ahmad is the Vice Chairperson of the Nitol-Niloy Group. With her deep understanding of the plight of women in a male dominated, poverty afflicted society, she focuses on developing entrepreneurial talent, and organizing financial and marketing resources in order to enable women to overcome hurdles and expand their business beyond the micro threshold.

Ouided Bouchamaoui (Tunisia)

Ouided Bouchamaoui is the President of The Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA). Bouchamaoui works to help Tunisia pull through its challenges by pushing for national reconciliation, by protecting both enterprises and employment policy, and assisting the urgent need to restore security. In Bouchamaoui’s opinion, conditions fundamental for promoting social peace and prosperity.

Sir Richard Branson (UK)

Sir Richard Branson is the founder and owner of Virgin Group. Branson uses his reputation to influence important issues also outside business. He is a signatory of the non-profit Global Zero campaign for the elimination of nuclear weapons, has taken a strong stand against climate change skepticism, and took the initiative to create The Elders, a gathering of independent global leaders working together for peace and human rights.

Kesha Kumari Damini (Nepal)

Kesha Kumari Damini is the leader of more than 60,000 micro entrepreneurs. Though Ms. Damini came from the most disadvantaged of Dalit communities in Nepal, her leadership and success have inspired many to become entrepreneurs, explore self-employment opportunities and overcome discrimination.

Adnan Kassar (Lebanon)

Adnan Kassar is Chairman of Fransabank, and has been a driver of growth and development in Lebanon, in the absence of political stability and security, for many decades. Through motivating the private sector, his work has contributed to the prosperity of the country and its attractiveness to foreign investors, thus maintaining and securing the livelihood of the Lebanese people.

Marilyn Carlson Nelson (USA)

Marilyn Carlson Nelson is the Chairman and former CEO of Carlson. Ms. Nelson’s pace-setting approach to responsible business focuses on engaging in dialogue with stakeholders about local causes and global issues. Across a range of challenges her approach contributes to peace through the creation of shared value. Notably, she is a strong advocate for the abolition of sexual exploitation of children.

“The award is presented to influential business leaders who through their achievements have demonstrated the benefits of a constructive relationship between business and society.” said Per Leif Saxegaard, Chairman of the Business for Peace Foundation. “We believe this is crucial in fostering conditions that lead to peace and stability instead of conflict.”