Sweden and the United Kingdom exchange experiences in social responsibility within business and politics at a seminar on 1 February in London with speakers such as David Reid, Tesco and Rt Hon Stephen Timms

“Business Meets Politics is back in 2011 following on the success of last year's event on "Women in Business and Politics", chaired by Cherie Blair”, says Annika Wahlberg, Managing Director, Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK. This year's event will be focusing on social responsibility and the question of who is setting the agenda, and what is the role of government and business?

In the increasingly conscience-focused marketplaces of the 21^st century, the demand for more ethical business processes and actions is increasing. Simultaneously, pressure is applied on industry to improve business ethics through new public initiatives and laws.

The practice of corporate social responsibility is subject to much debate and criticism which we hope to discuss”, claims Annika Wahlberg. Proponents argue that there is a strong business case for corporate social responsibility, in that corporations benefit multiple ways by operating in a broader perspective and longer than their own immediate, short-term profits. Critics sometimes argue that it distracts from the fundamental role of businesses, that it is nothing more than superficial window-dressing or simply an attempt to pre-empt the role of governments as a watchdog over powerful multinational corporations.

"We are delighted to see such an esteemed panel of speakers join us for this important event", says Peter Sandberg, Communications Manager at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK. "It is a topical event and it will be interesting to learn from both British and Swedish experiences when it comes to social responsibility".

Business Meets Politics is a forum for British and Swedish business people, politicians and other opinion makers to share experiences, inform about respective areas and countries.  

Already confirmed speakers for the 2011 seminar include: Mårten Andersson, CEO, Skandia Nordic, Maria Borelius, Executive International Director Hand in Hand International, Will Day, Chair, Sustainable Development Commission, Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Acting Director-General of the Swedish International Development Agency, Angela Knight, CBE, CEO, British Bankers Association, Lars-Olle Larsson, Partner, PwC, David Reid, Chairman, Tesco Plc, Rt Hon Stephen Timms, Labour MP, Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Bengt Westerberg, President of the Swedish Red Cross and Vice President of the International Federation of Red Cross. The seminar will be moderated by David Ibison, former Nordic Bureau Chief of Financial Times and is hosted in partnership with Skandia.

Contacts
Peter Sandberg, Communications Manager
Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK
Sweden House
5 Upper Montagu Street
London W1H 2AG
United Kingdom
Tel 020 7224 8001
Fax 020 7224 8884
Email sandberg@scc.org.uk 
Web www.scc.org.uk

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