ADVISORY/Business for Social Responsibility to Host Sixth Annual Conference in Boston: "Learning from the Global Village: Corporate Responsibility Around the World".

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Managing Director of The British Petroleum Company plc, Sir John Browne and Former Prime Minister of Israel Shimon Peres Among Guest Speakers.

Global business leaders representing more than 150 leading companies such as BankBoston, Coca-Cola, Diageo plc, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Johnson & Johnson and UPS will be in Boston November 18-20 to participate in Business for Social Responsibility's (BSR) Sixth Annual National Conference on corporate social responsibility. The conference is being held at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel.

The Conference - "Learning from the Global Village" - will bring together representatives from five continents to discuss the challenges that businesses face as they seek to operate around the world in ways that are socially responsible. Participating companies will share their experiences and best practices with other business leaders during a three-day conference in break-out, plenary and training sessions. Topics such as ethics, globalization, human rights, environmental sustainability, and corporate accountability will be addressed. The Conference will also include off-site company visits and a community service opportunity.

"'Learning from the Global Village' provides an opportunity for participants and representatives from leadership companies to engage in active dialogue on the challenges of managing an ethical, responsible and commercially successful business," said Bob Dunn, President and CEO of BSR.

Sir John Browne, Managing Director of the British Petroleum Company plc, will discuss his company's commitment to the social, economic and environmental health of the communities in which it does business. Sir John Browne was the first major oil industry executive to publicly acknowledge the link between fossil fuels and global warming.

Former Prime Minister of Israel Shimon Peres is slated to discuss the role that businesses can play in promoting a just society. He will be speaking as head of the Peace Research Institute established in his honor after he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.

Other keynote speakers include Henrique de Campos Meirelles, President and COO of BankBoston Corporation; Mads 0vlisen, President and CEO of Novo Nordisk A/S; Eileen Fisher, President and CEO of Eileen Fisher; Peter Eigen, Chairman of Transparency International; and Tazeem Nathoo, Interim CEO of Vancouver City Savings Credit Union. -0-

Activities set to debut at this year's conference include:

     -- The BSR Education Fund's Global Business Responsibility
     Resource Center, the most comprehensive on-line information
     resource on corporate social responsibility of its kind.

     -- An Interactive Learning Center featuring examples of
     innovative ways companies are using interactive media to
     communicate about important social responsibility issues (such as
     sexual harassment prevention and the promotion of diversity) to
     internal and external stakeholder groups;

     -- A Green Design Product Expo; and

     -- The Climate Wise National Achievement Awards Ceremony
     sponsored by the BSR Education Fund and the U.S. Environmental
     Protection Agency.

Examples of the more than 40 conference break-out sessions
featuring presentations by senior leaders from global companies
include:

     -- Exploring the Next Generation of Workplace Challenges;

     -- Examining the State of the Environment;

     -- Managing Cultural Diversity;

     -- Addressing the Global AIDS Crisis;

     -- Capitalizing on the Business Advantages of the Inner City;

     -- Emerging Challenges in Ethical Marketing; and

     -- Exploring the Challenges of Doing Business in Emerging
        Economies.

Every year, the BSR conference takes advantage of its proximity to its host city's leading businesses by conducting off-site visits to local companies and organizations that have successfully implemented corporate social responsibility initiatives. This year's conference attendees can visit Boston's Dudley Street Neighborhood, The Mathworks Inc., Nantucket Nectars and the Polaroid Corporation.

The Conference concludes with participants joining local business leaders in a community service event; "Thanksgiving for Seniors," which will be held in cooperation with the Boston-based non-profit City Year.

About BSR

Founded in 1992, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) is one of the fastest growing national associations of businesses, with more than 1,400 members and affiliated companies. Collectively, BSR members and affiliates have annual revenues that total more than $1 trillion and they employ more than 5 million workers around the world. BSR's mission is to be the leading global resource providing members with innovative products and services that help companies be commercially successful in ways that demonstrate respect for ethical values, people, communities and the environment.

BSR's member companies recognize that responsible business policies and practices are an important commercial imperative and that leadership companies make such behaviors a competitive business advantage. Balancing the interests of all stakeholders - investors, customers, employees, business partners, local communities, our global society and future generations - results in better informed business decisions, builds loyalty, enhances corporate and brand reputation and contributes measurably to long-term profits.

Through membership in BSR, companies enjoy access to practical information, research, education and training programs, technical assistance and consulting on all aspects of corporate social responsibility. In addition, BSR creates opportunities for business leaders to collaborate and network with their peers and other innovative managers. BSR offers ongoing programs and projects in a dozen US cities, and provides valuable products and services outside the United States as well, both directly and in collaboration with a network of allied business organizations around the world.

The annual national conference is BSR's signature event, serving as the largest forum for BSR members and others interested in corporate responsibility to share information, exchange best practices and network with like-minded business peers. For more information on BSR or the National Conference, please visit BSR's web site at www.bsr.org or call 415-537-0888.