Dear supporters and members of the Economy for the Common Good,
We are thrilled to be publishing the evidence of the benefits experienced by companies and organisations that adopt ECG values at the heart of their operations. Companies are turning to ECG because they believe a better way of doing business is possible. They are driven by a desire to effect positive change in society, respecting people and the environment. They also know that this approach will make their business more sustainable in every sense. The research focused on companies and in this issue we also hear about local governments which have published Common Good Balance Sheets. It's no wonder then that the ECG provides a practical solution for addressing the Sustainable Development Goals and we bring you news of ECG at the UN.
The movement is 100% powered by people, the great majority volunteers. It is through the actions and collaborations of committed individuals which makes this change happen. We hope you will join us and support us in whatever way you can!
Best wishes,
Bridget Knapper and Gus Hagelberg from the ECG Management Team
P.S. Previous issues of this newsletter can be found here. Some of you might not have received our last issue from December 2018.
In this issue
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INTERNATIONAL
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ECG at the United Nations
On 21 and 22 March an international ECG team will attend the UN Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in Geneva, Switzerland to present ECG as an inclusive and sustainable economic model. Government representatives will be attending the forum and sharing their experiences in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) including a focus on what they can do to assist companies in delivering the goals. ECG is presenting a case study at a panel debate and will have a booth at the SDG fair showcasing the ECG Matrix and tools and how they address the SDGs. One of the questions prepared for a panel discussion is, 'How can we make sure the Sustainable Development Goals do not promote a failing economic model and stop us from implementing deep structural change?' ECG has a coherent model which may just provide the answer!
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Common Good
This article by Gerd Hofielen and Matthias Kasper takes a critical look at the approach of the SDGs and highlights the potential impact of the Economy for the Common Good (ECG) in order to promote global sustainable development, especially on a corporate level.
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BUSINESSES
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Evidence proves ECG works
Research by the University of Valencia, Spain shows that businesses which treat their employees well, conduct honest marketing, focus on sustainability and minimize their environmental impacts not only contribute to the ‘common good’ but can do so without detriment to their financial performance.
Out of 400 companies with a Common Good Balance Sheet across Europe, 206 responded to the survey. Here are some of the findings:
Positive impacts (reported by over 75% of businesses) were found in the areas of:
sustainable supplies and use of local suppliers
reduced carbon footprint caused by supply and logistics
minimising environmental impacts of production and logistics
prioritising environmentally sustainable investments
monitoring ethical behaviour of banks and financial services suppliers
staff input into decision-making
relations between staff and management
fair and transparent product / service information to customers
customer trust
cooperation with customers
cooperation with local social movements
95% of companies said that all these positive impacts on their business operations had been achieved at no detriment to sales. 26% said there had actually been a positive impact on revenue.
Similarly, 85% said there had been no adverse effect on profit while 19% said profitability had been improved.
One of the participating businesses commented:
"My work has become more meaningful. Customers are treated as equals. New contacts have been made. New markets have opened up. The company is prepared for the future."
Christian Felber, who attended the presentation of the research in Vienna in February said:
"For many years CSR has been considered by many business managers as an adjunct to the main purpose of the business and a PR attempt to buy reputation despite, not because of, what is happening in other parts of the company.
Summarising the findings of this research, we can conclude that businesses that integrate ethical, caring and sustainability practices into the core of their operation are investing wisely not only in their own futures but in the future of society at large. That is the Common Good.”
For a summary of the research click here. For the main report click here.
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MUNICIPALITIES
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Christian Felber hands over ECG certificates to German towns Bordelum, Breklum and Klixbüll
Since April 2018 the municipalities Bordelum, Breklum and Klixbüll in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany have held seven workshops in preparation for publishing Municipal Common Good Balance Sheets. The group was supported by the respective local authorities. The mayors, local representatives and city staff worked to uncover to what extent the municipal administrations observe and take into account values such as human dignity, solidarity, ecological sustainability, social justice and democratic co-determination in their day-to-day practice.
In addition, events were held with local citizens to discuss these values for the community. During these events they also looked at future perspectives for 2030 and developed mission statements for the communities. A joint workshop with city officials responsible for procurement shed light on ethical procurement management.
On Wednesday, 6 February 2019, the certificates were handed over at the Christian-Jensen Kolleg in Breklum, Germany.
(Members of the Balance Working Group)
(Image: Anke Butscher)
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COOPERATION PARTNERS
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Cooperation with the Presencing Institute from Otto Scharmer
Otto Scharmer and his Presencing Institute will begin a partnership with the ECG. Christian Felber and Otto Scharmer agreed on the details at a meeting at the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies in Potsdam, Germany in December 2018.
One initial step will be that the ECG provides the Common Good Balance Sheet and the concept of democratic conventions to the various labs of the Presencing Institute. The next step is to set up a cooperation team. If you are interested and fluent in German and English, please contact Christian Felber.
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HUBS
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ECG coordinators travel to disaster area
Thirteen ECG coordinators made their way to Lake Chiemsee in Bavaria, Germany on 11 January 2019, even though the area had declared a disaster alarm the day before because of the masses of snow. The disaster did not occur, even though some experienced an adventurous journey home.
The workshop was aimed at coordinators of hubs and local chapters. Christian Kozina and Bendix Balke led the session with short lectures and coordination activities within the movement as well as ideas on leadership within a movement based on fundamental, democratic principles. Moderation, project management, decision-making and leadership of volunteers were discussed. The exchange of experiences was also very valuable to the participants.
Conclusion: Cancelling the workshop would have been an even bigger disaster!
(Image: Oliver Koch)
ECG Bavaria Radio Show
ECG activists in Bavaria, Germany have been regularly broadcasting a radio show about our movement and now for the first time it's available in English. This program features interviews with participants of the 6th ECG Delegates Assembly which took place in Lisbon from 18-20 May 2018.
Necessary Conversation with Christian Felber: Economy for Common Good
Interview with Christian Felber at the Donohue Center, University of Lowell, Massachussettes and International Humanistic Management.
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EVENTS
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International Speakers Training
February 2018, Belgium
Representatives from eight countries met up in Belgium in February to share best practice and to learn some top tips in presenting the Economy for the Common Good. This group of 'economy designers' discussed the ECG model as being 'a bridge to something better'. Speakers were encouraged to use stories to convey the content, jokes, emotions and physicality - though we didn't have to stand on our heads! Meeting each other, hearing about different contexts and challenges was very enriching. It was a true common good experience, thanks to the generous hosting by ECG Belgium, Jean-Jacques and Christine who certainly walked the talk with their warm hospitality and organic cooking. The next meeting of this 'International Speakers group' is planned for the autumn 2019.
ECG Consultants Training
March 27 - 30, 2019, Ljubljana, Slovenia
The Slovenian ECG Local Chapter will host a training seminar for business consultants to be certified as ECG consultants.
Find out more on their web page.
BEST ECONOMY Forum
April 9 to 11, 2019, Bozen, Italy
"The founders and partners of the BEST ECONOMY forum are hosting an international discussion platform for companies who have been successful in implementing sustainability strategies. The event aims to discuss and develop genuine and realistic models of sustainability."
(From the webpage besteconomy.org)
Along with Bioland, the largest organic-food association in Germany, and Bio Hotels, Economy for the Common Good invites you to this sustainable economic forum.
The BEST ECONOMY forum is the pioneer of a world economy that assumes responsibility towards future generations, protects our livelihoods and harmonises the environment, social affairs, economy and culture. The result of this event should be a manifesto in which concrete demands are made on the world community and politics to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Keynote speakers include Dr. Auma Obama, Barack Obama's sister, and Vandana Shiva, recipient of the Right Livelihood Award.
Learn more: www.besteconomy.org
NESI Global Forum 2019
April 24 to 26, 2019, Málaga, Spain
NESI Global Forum 2019 will focus on how to achieve our global goals – Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations and the Climate Change Agenda – through local action.
Economy for the Common Good is a co-organiser of the Global Forum "New Economy and Social Innovation" - NESI. With more than 60 panelists and 700 participants of 40 different countries, NESI Global Forum aims at bringing together all elements of society to share the latest developments in social innovation and the new economy from around the world.
ECG Delegates Assembly 2019
May 3 - 5, 2019, Stuttgart, Germany
To get a flavour of the international ECG movement, why not attend the Delegates Assembly? See at first hand democratic decision-making and international collaboration with the aim of creating a good life for all.
The Delegates Assembly is the "parliament" of the ECG movement. It is designed to:
- be a face-to-face meeting place for activists to strengthen our movement and our networks.
- improve understanding of other's motivations, interests and roles within the movement.
- gain a deeper understanding of central movement issues and to report back to ECG Local Chapters and Hubs.
- adopt proposals using the systemic consensus approach. Adopted proposals are valid for the global ECG movement.
You can find out more about the Delegates Assembly here.
Important Links
If you have any feedback about this newsletter or content for the next one, please send us a note (gus.hagelberg@ecogood.org).