Final Call for applications for the GAIN Business Award for Innovation in Nutrition
Geneva, London, 22 September 2008 (GAIN/IBLF) – As world leaders gather in New York this week to discuss the rising concern about food security and nutrition, we have extended the deadline for the GAIN Business Award for Innovation in Nutrition to give as many companies as possible the opportunity to participate. The new deadline for application has now been extended to 31 October 2008.
The GAIN Business Award for Innovation in Nutrition, launched this year by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), is a new annual Award for companies that apply innovative business models and develop new products and services that help fight malnutrition, improve public health and promote sustainable development.
Malnutrition is the major cause of death for 3.5 million infants and young children, and leaves 178 million children permanently damaged. More than 2 billion poor people worldwide suffer from some form of malnutrition.
“Malnutrition is a widespread and deep-rooted social problem with many deleterious health consequences” says jury member Lijing L. Yan from Guanghua School of Management, Peking University. “To win the battle against malnutrition, effort from the public sector alone is not enough. The GAIN Business Award is an innovative and important initiative to recognize and encourage business involvement in fighting the worldwide problem of malnutrition, especially among the poor”.
This Award is open to companies of all types and sizes that show a commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance, responsible business practices and sustainable development. Companies that deliver products and services that help fight malnutrition are invited to apply before 31 October 2008 at www.gainaward.com.
Applicants need to demonstrate that their innovation measurably benefits the nutrition of the poor, applies a business model that is sustainable and, where appropriate, involves working in partnership with other organizations.
Increasingly, companies recognize that tailored products and services for the poor make good business sense. It benefits the health of their clients, stimulates local development, and helps build local partnerships with governments and civil society organizations.
Jury
A panel of distinguished judges will decide on the winner of the Award:
• Roger Barnett (Chairman and CEO, Shaklee Corporation)
• Antony Burgmans KBE (Former Chairman and CEO Unilever)
• Rakesh Nangia (Acting Vice President, World Bank Institute)
• Sarita Nayyar (Senior Director, Head of Consumer Industries, World Economic Forum)
• Will Oulton (Managing Director CRG Advisory Services Ltd and former Deputy CEO of FTSE Group)
• Professor Stuart Hart (Cornell University, Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise)
• Cheryl Scott (Senior Advisor to Global Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
• Lijing L. Yan (Guanghua School of Management, Peking University)
Award Ceremony
The Winner of the non-cash GAIN Business Award for Innovation in Nutrition will be notified in January 2009 and will be announced publicly at a special Award Ceremony at the beginning of 2009. Award recipient will receive worldwide recognition as leading example of how food innovation can contribute to the fight against malnutrition.
For more information please contact:
For GAIN
Mr. Elroy Bos: Tel: +41 22 749 1850, Mob: +41 79 473 3268, ebos@gaingeneva.org
For IBLF
Ms. Kathrin Bauer, Tel: +44 207 467 3659, Mob: +44 79 439 60733, kathrin.bauer@iblf.org
GAIN – the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition mobilizes governments and businesses to fight malnutrition by marketing affordable and safe fortified staple foods to the poorest. It aims to improve the nutrition of 1 billion people to make people and economies healthier, stronger and more productive:
Visit our website: www.gainhealth.org
IBLF - the International Business Leaders Forum works with business, governments and civil society to enhance the contribution that companies can make to sustainable development. It is an independent, not-for-profit organization currently supported by over 100 of the world’s leading businesses. IBLF provides strategic counsel to companies to enable them to understand and respond to the development challenges that they face, particularly when operating in transition and emerging economies. www.iblf.org
