What is the role and responsibility of the business community in alleviating poverty?
Following the pandemic, we have seen unprecedented reversals in poverty reduction. These reversals are further exacerbated by conflicts across the world and frequent climate change related disasters. In 2020, the World Bank revealed that more than 40 percent of the global poor population live in conflict-affected countries. It is estimated that climate change will further drive 68 to 135 million into poverty by 2030, with the threat being particularly grave for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Ending poverty, the first Sustainable Development Goal of the UN 2030 Agenda, requires engagement from all parts of society.
“New and innovative cross-partnerships between the private business sector, academia, civil society and governments with an emphasized focus on social development in low-income countries could improve lives and well-being. Global businesses with production and operations across the world have an important role to play in lifting people out of poverty” Martina Björkman Nyqvist, Misum Executive Director and Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Stockholm School of Economics.
Businesses today possess expansive networks and resources that can substantially contribute to poverty alleviation. To what extent they already contribute to this important sustainability goal, and how they can take an increased role towards reaching the goal by 2030, are questions in focus at the Misum Forum 2022 on October 5.
Misum Forum 2022: “The role and responsibility of business and industry in poverty alleviation” takes place at the Stockholm School of Economics on Wednesday, October 5. Distinguished speakers include Marcus Wallenberg, Carl Bennet, and sustainability leaders from large Swedish industries, as well as Nobel Laureate Prof. Abhijit Banerjee and other renowned academics working at the intersection of business and poverty. You can find the event program here. The forum is organized in collaboration with Pratham Sweden and will be opened by HRH Prince Daniel of Sweden.
The event is free and to attend, please register your interest by September 25. You can read more about the Misum Forum 2022 here.
Contact for more information:
Andreea Preluca
Misum Stakeholder Engagement Manager