Nestle, PBSP, AIM host Youth Forum on Creating Shared Value

The Creating Shared Value (CSV) Youth Forum, a gathering of top undergraduate students from five leading universities in Metro Manila, was hosted recently by Nestle Philippines, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), and the Asian Institute of Management ­ Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. Center for Corporate Social Responsibility (AIM­RVR Center for CSR).

The forum was organized to deepen the students’ understanding of CSV as an important approach to creating inclusive business that meaningfully addresses social issues and needs while pursuing coprate goals. The forum also encouraged students to be future leaders involved in social development, while sharing insights and learnings from the 2014 Global CSV Forum held last October in Switzerland by Nestle in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The global event brought together international leaders from business, civil society and government to discuss how the sectors can cooperate to accelerate sustainable development across the world.

Participants of the forum, held at the SGV Hall of the AIM Conference Center in Makati City, were students majoring in business and engineering from Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University Manila, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of the Philippines ­ Diliman and University of Santo Tomas.

In his keynote address, Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV emphasized the future role of the youth in generating inclusive growth and social development. A panel discussion, on the role of business in social development with a focus on CSV as a sustainable approach, was held by NestIS Philippines Chairman and CEO John Martin Miller; PBSP Executive Director Rafael C. Lopa; AIM ­ RVR Center for CSR Executive Director Francisco L. Roman, Jr., DBA; and Hybrid Social Solutions, Inc. Founder and CEO Jaime Ayala.