As Robbie Burns Day approaches, I contemplate the importance of a cup of kindness.

Given that I have more than an ounce of Scots in my blood, I have always warmed to Robbie Burns Day and the excuse it offers to come together for good cheer in an otherwise dark and cold season.

Robbie Burns loved life and is remembered for his humanitarian spirit and egalitarian views. With charm and wit, his poetry challenged all to fight for social justice. When we salute Robbie Burns Day, we take time to count our blessings and celebrate our progress in the quest for a just and sustainable world.

If you are in Vancouver on January 29 and have a wee splash of tartan in your wardrobe, please join me for a cup of kindness and other good cheer. Click here for more details.

If you're farther afield, we'll raise a glass to absent friends and wish you all the best for 2005. Now, here's...

2003 projects take off

I am delighted to see some of the projects I germinated in 2003 take root.

• The Victoria Values Based Business Network (www.vbnetwork.ca) is a group of over 200 values-based businesses in Greater Victoria that collaborate to foster progressive social, environmental and economic performance. They have just formed a non-profit society and have, over the past year, hosted bi-monthly networking and information-sharing events.
  
• The Victoria Sustainability Centre is a step closer to reality. This centre will house non-profits and sustainability businesses in a common mission to support livable, vibrant and green communities. It will be part of Dockside Green, (www.docksidegreen.ca), a model sustainable community to be built on a reclaimed 11.6 acre brownfield site by Windmill Developments and VanCity Enterprises Ltd.

Business and sustainability in 2004

• Several business clients are further along their sustainability journey, including those in the printing, aviation, forestry, communications, financial and resort sectors. I applaud them for their resourcefulness, commitment and resilience as they work through the challenges of developing sustainability strategies.

Sustainable finance in 2004

• Progress in social investment: three social impact pension fund pools are in various stages of design. They aim to leverage $200 million in pension fund capital to create social and environmental benefits for communities while generating market returns for pension fund beneficiaries. In 2005, I hope to see the successful launch of one of these funds and pension fund commitments to invest in the others.
  
• I salute the organizations that are working hard to introduce a new, holistic notion of profit. However, despite the gains seen by the social investment sector in recent years, mainstream financial markets have yet to discover the power of investment vehicles that generate both financial and social/environmental returns. This past year I highlighted that gap with two papers on double bottom line investing and another, covering a roundtable hosted by Tides Canada Foundation, on social capital markets. (See: www.corostrandberg.com)

Focus for 2005

• I am leading an international study on trends and best practice in sustainable/CSR finance sponsored by a group of Canadian Credit Unions. It will show how banks, insurance companies and asset managers are integrating sustainability throughout their operations, products and services.
  
• This year colleagues and I hope to initiate the development of a sustainable procurement knowledge network for business and institutional purchasers interested in developing ethical and sustainable procurement guidelines.
  
• Other potential projects awaiting funding include initiatives to develop social performance guidelines for Canadian firms and a benchmark tool for company boards wanting to enhance their sustainability governance practices.

If you are interested in knowing more about any of these initiatives – or if you have queries, quandaries or ideas - please give me a call. I look forward to working with you this year to help build a healthy society. Let ours be the generation that lays the foundation for a truly sustainable world.

I hope 2005 brings you and yours health, happiness and many a cup of kindness.

Coro

PS Remember to mark January 29 on your calendar. Don't fear the haggis, it's optional!