IBLF - History

HISTORY

IBLF was set up in 1990 by The Prince of Wales and a group of chief executives of international companies, in response to the emerging challenges of economic growth and change in the global economy.

Here are some highlights of IBLF's achievements over the past 17 years.

1990
First meeting of The Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum (PWBLF) in Charleston, USA

1991
Initiation of enterprise and restructuring programmes in Hungary and launch of Business Leaders Forums in Hungary and Czech Republic

PWBLF secures status as an independent charity

1992
Launch of International Hotels Environment Initiative (IHEI)

Indian Business Leaders programme launched

PWBLF begins work with the UN Development Programme, UN Environment Programme, UK Overseas Development Agency and the World Bank Group

1993
Launch of St Petersburg Partnership Initiative and the Business Supporters Group

Partnership formed with the Mexican Centre for Philanthropy to promote sustainable development in rural areas, enterprise and environmental education

Polish Business Leaders Forum and Krakow Development Forum launched

1994
First IBLF programme in Bulgaria

Joint project commences with United Nations Environment Programme, European Commission and the World Bank Group

The Prince of Wales convenes a Hong Kong meeting for regional business leaders, a VIP delegation from Vietnam and educational leaders from Shanghai

Publications
‘Partnerships for Sustainable Development: The role of business and industry’

1995 – IBLF’s five year anniversary
Launch of Business as Partners in Development with World Bank and United Nations Development Programme

Business and Community Foundation launched in India

Publications
‘Global Corporate Citizenship’
‘Partnerships for African Development: Business and communities working together in Southern Africa’

1996
South African anti-crime partnership with business

First Autokreacja programme in Poland – focus on opportunities for disadvantaged youth

Shanghai Business Leadership 2000 project initiated

Publications
‘Business as Partners in Development: Creating wealth for countries, companies and communities’

1997
Launch of Bangladesh Partnership Forum

Environmental benchmarking programme run for British Airways Holidays

Business Leaders Forum run business meetings in Hong Kong on HM Yacht Britannia and Saudi Arabia

Publications
‘The Business Response to HIV/AIDS: Innovation and Partnership’

1998
Launch of Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum

‘50 plus/minus’ project launched in Hungary to give employment opportunities to over 50’s

Publications
IBLF’s first supplement with the Financial Times: ‘Responsible Business in the Global Economy’
‘Building Competitiveness and Communities: How world class companies are creating shareholder value and societal value’

1999
South Africa Business and Education Partnership Programme launched

Youth Business International (YBI) launched

DFID Resource Centre on business and poverty alleviation launched

2000 – IBLF’s ten year anniversary
PWBLF launchs Americas programme with support from DHL Americas, Steel Hector Davis LLP

Romania programme to strengthen links between UN, business and government

Programme to strengthen links between UN, business and government and launch of Vietnam Partnership with footwear industry

Publications
‘Human Rights: Is it any of your business?’
Measures for Success: Assessing the impact of partnerships

2001
Launch of Digital Partnership

Vietnam Business Links Initiative launched

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) established, with the PWBLF as a founding partner of the NEPAD Business Group

Publications
‘Everybody’s Business: Managing risks and opportunities in today’s global society’

2002
The Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum changes name to the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF)

Launch of ENGAGE

The IBLF hosts a business leaders workshop in partnership with the Centre for Innovation in Corporate Responsibility and the Jordanian Development Centre in Amman for international and large Jordanian companies with business interests or operations in Palestine.

Publications
‘Business & Poverty: Bridging the Gap’
‘Building Partnerships: Collaboration between the UN and business’
‘Building a Shared Future: The role of business as a partner in African development’

2003
IBLF seconds an executive to the Bulgarian Prime Minister’s Office with the support of The Prince of Wales and the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office to help strengthen management capacity for policy implementation and business engagement

IBLF chosen by Alcan Inc to organise the Annual Alcan Prize, awarded annually to world class partnerships and NGOs

IBLF/UNDP Business & Development Symposium, Highgrove

Publications
‘Business and the Millennium Development Goals: A framework for action’
‘Rebuilding Bridges: Opportunities and challenges for responsible private sector engagement in Iraq’s reconstruction’
‘The Buck Stops Where: Managing the boundaries of business engagement in global development challenges’

2004
Launch of Healthy Eating and Active Living global partnership (HEAL)

Launch of the International Tourism Partnership

Launch of Youth Business China

Publications
‘A Business Guide to Development Actors’
‘Brand-Jacking and How to Avoid It’ (Joint publication with Enterprise IG)

2005 - IBLF’s 15 year anniversary
Launch of China Business Leaders Forum

Action on post-tsunami recovery

IBLF with the Global Rainwater Harvesting Collective, business leaders and NGOs, and with the support of The Prince of Wales, launches a business model for rainwater collection from poor rural schools in Rajasthan, India.

IBLF supports launch of Business Action for Africa

Publications
‘After the Flood’
‘Disaster Management and Planning: An IBLF framework for business response’
‘Shared Goals: Sport & Business in Partnerships for Development’

2006
Consultation exercise in Colombia to improve the role that business can play in post-conflict recovery

130 partnership practitioners issue Declaration to key policy makers

First ever Youth Business Entrepreneur of the Year Award goes to a Kenyan who set up a waste disposal company in Nairobi

Publications

Development, Peace and Human Rights in Colombia: A Business Agenda
Crossing Borders: face-to-face with development initiatives
Best Intentions, Complex Realities

2007
IBLF launches it’s new visual identity to reflect three guiding principles that are central to IBLF’s work: Change, Catalyse, Connect.

Robert Davies the founder and chief executive of the International Business Leaders Forum passed away in August aged 56 (1951-2007)

Launch of a new tool: A Guide to Human Rights Impact Assessment and Management – Road-Testing Draft

Mr E Neville Isdell, the Chairman of The Coca-Cola Company, was appointed Chairman of IBLF’s Board.

Publications

A Recipe for Success: how food companies can profit from consumer health
Business and Youth in the Arab World
Going Green: Minimum standards towards a sustainable hotel operation
Improving Business Standards in Russia
Putting business at the heart of the new Europe