User:Responsbus/Shaping a Sustainable Future

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National Business Initiative (NBI) is a voluntary group of leading national and multi-national companies, working together towards sustainable growth and development in South Africa through partnerships, practical programmes and policy engagement.

The organization was formed through the merger of the Urban Foundation (UF) and the Consultative Business Movement (CBM). With the CBM’s Theuns Eloff as chief executive officer and the UF’s Mike Rosholt as Chairman of the Board, the newly formed NBI faced the complex and turbulent post-1994 realities with an avowed determination to promote increased economic growth, reduce poverty and inequality, and support effective and efficient governance.

Since its establishment in 1995, the NBI has been advocate for the collective role of business in support of a stable democracy, growing economy and healthy natural environment. As one of close to 60 global regional partners to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the NBI provides a platform for business leadership and a vision of how companies can contribute to a sustainable society.

Purpose

The axiom that business cannot succeed in a society that fails is particularly relevant in a developing country like South Africa. The role of business in sustainable development is becoming increasingly important especially if they want to strengthen their competitive edge for the future. Through constructive engagement and strategic collective action business can shape the economic and social environments within which they operate. Therefore, it is in this case that the NBI:

Advocate corporate citizenship and business leadership for sustainable growth and development
Mobilise business leadership and resources to make a difference
Facilitate collective business action and critical social dialogue
Implement strategic projects backed by rigorous policy analysis and research
Build relationships and trust with government, business and key stakeholders.

Track record of making a difference

The NBI is a trusted bridge builder between business and government. Through its work, the organization has achieved the following milestones:

Set up Business Against Crime in 1995 – now independent organization a unique private sector contribution to enhanced criminal justice and crime prevention.
Initiated and served as the managing agency of the Business Trust in its first five years - as a foundation to combine the resources of the public and private sectors to support programmes that accelerate the achievement of agreed national objectives.
Conceptualized and managed the Colleges Collaboration Fund in 1999 - 2004, which has made an immense contribution to the transformation of the entire Further Education and Training colleges sector in South Africa.
Served as secretariat to former South Africa President’s (Thabo Mbeki) Big Business Working Group, thus promoting dialogue and trust between business and government leaders.
Facilitated the signing and implementation of the Energy Efficiency Accord in 2005, as a tangible contribution of the private sector to environmental protection and enhanced competitiveness.
Served as secretariat to the Human Resource Development Strategy for South Africa from 2006-2009, under the leadership of Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, and mobilizing business resources for human capital development.
In 2007, the NBI introduced and launched the UK Carbon Disclosure Project in South Africa to address the business implications of climate change.
Appointed as the Focal Point to the United Nations Global Compact South African Local Network in 2008 to enhance the business contribution to society and environment.

Strategic focus

Climate and energy
Human capital
Economic linkages
Business in society

Membership

The NBI owes its strength to its stable membership base who have an interest in the shared growth and development of South Africa at all levels. Any business can join the NBI by making a voluntary contribution. Through membership of the NBI, visionary business organizations affirm their commitment to a positive role for business in society while also pursuing their individual strategies in a competitive free market economy.

Governance

The NBI has presented a powerful business case for companies to take seriously their positions as meaningful players in the society within which they operate. Over the past few years it has emerged as a leading proponent of the role of business in sustainable development. It is now focused on positioning business as a distinct but interdependent and significant contributor to society.

The organization is committed to the highest standards of governance. It applies the core principles of accountability, integrity and transparency throughout its dealings with stakeholders.

The NBI is governed by a board consisting of representatives from members companies and selected business/community leaders.
The NBI Executive Committee assists and supports the board by providing oversight, guidelines and advice to the CEO and management.
The NBI Audit Committee provides financial oversight and monitors risk and management The Remuneration Committee is responsible for the performance of directors and for policy recognition and reward.

The NBI is evaluating the impacts of King III and will make appropriate adjustments to its governance structures and risk management processes.

The past chairperson: