To a new beginning...

Welcome to the final edition of the Centre’s Newsletter under the old name. During the New Year period, the Centre underwent substantial changes that have transformed the existing face of the Centre.

Regrettably, Phil Hughes resigned as the Director Centre after two years of untiring efforts, development and growth. Furthermore, the Centre was no longer able to run the Sustainability Alliance 2008 due to insufficient registrations.

However, during this period, John Collins, Assistant Director continued the work of the Centre in association with ICLEI Oceania’s Sustainability Services Unit and the ICLEI Executive Management Team, allowing new, exciting developments for the future.

This transitional period has welcomed the emergence of a new unit– a unit formed out of the strengths, resources and skills of the Centre and ICLEI’s Sustainability Services Unit.

With increasingly similar programs but slightly different delivery models, it was decided that a merger of ICLEI Sustainability Services and the Centre would provide a more efficient, integrated and well-resourced unit to better assist organisations integrate sustainability.

To be known as ICLEI Oceania's Integrated Sustainability Services (ISS), the unit will offer a broader range of services. Instead of a single program, Integrated Sustainability Services is offering three streams: a review and positioning program stream called Sustainability Pathway; a capacity-building stream called Advancing Sustainability; and tailored services, including professional development and advisory service, called Sustainability for Leaders.

We are currently developing the programs anticipate offering them from 2009.

The new programs being developed will use practical delivery models that incorporate on-site personalised workshops, activity-based learning as well as knowledge sharing, group learning and networking opportunities.

On behalf of ICLEI and the Centre, I look forward to the official launch of ICLEI Oceania's Integrated Sustainability Services.

If you or your staff have any questions, please visit our FAQ section or alternatively contact John Collins on +61 (0)3 9660 2252 or via email.

With Best Regards,
Wayne Wescott
CEO - ICLEI Oceania

Sustainability Update

Just Good Business

The Economist - Special Report released - Corporate Social Responsibility

Daniel Franklin, author of The Economist’s ‘Just Good Business’ looks in detail at the reasons behind why companies undertake Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In an 18-page special report, Franklin draws on case studies from around the world to describe the drivers for companies to adopt CSR practices. These include government regulations in response to climate change and managing risk, as well as consumer demand for more responsibile corporate performance.

The report covers such topics as: the greening of corporate responsibility; ethical consuming; CSR going global; CSR and managing risk; CSR and doing good; and does CSR work?