Programme

The Role of Business in Global Development: When Charity Pays Off

25 May , 12:00–13:15
The Global Economy in an Era of Change
Roundtable
Pavilion G, Conference Hall G2

It has become the norm for large corporations active in or entering international markets to engage in social and charitable projects in their host countries. This allows companies not only to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility and improve their image abroad, but also to make a real contribution to society and address inequality. Most recently, Russian corporations have been actively expanding this aspect of their business. By creating workplaces abroad, Russian businesses contribute to social programmes and to improving the livelihoods of people in their host countries. Moving beyond symbolic gestures, corporations are making significant contributions to the implementation of socially-oriented programmes aimed at, among other things, improving quality of life, providing humanitarian and medical aid, and combating epidemics. Such work is being undertaken in a large number of countries, including in the CIS, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. What are the value and benefits of this activity? Can large corporations enter into partnerships with non-governmental organizations to contribute to the long-term sustainable development of society? Should the state be supportive of this? How are innovations impacting the social and humanitarian activities of corporations? What is the platform for interaction between corporations and Russian and international NGOs?

Moderator
Fyodor Lukyanov, Research Director, Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club

Panellists
Andrey Bezrukov, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Exporting High-Tech Security Initiative
Elsa Vidal, Regional Director for Russia, Head of the Moscow Office, Oxfam International
Liubov Glebova, First Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Federation Committee on Rules and Organization of Parliamentary Activity
Alexander Dybal, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Member of the Management Board, Gazprom Neft
Kirill Komarov, First Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Corporate Development and International Business, The State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM
Anna Popova, Head, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing
Evgeny Primakov, General Director, Russian Humanitarian Mission

Front row participants
Irina Bakhtina, Vice President for Sustainable Business Development and Corporate Relations in North Africa, Middle East, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Africa, Unilever
Pavel Ershov, Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft Rus LLC
Elena Kostenko, Director, Institute of Humanitarian Technologies NPO

Broadcast