The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) will join together to bring together the leading thinkers in conservation, business, development agencies and government leader to showcase technical and managerial best business practices that contribute to conservation efforts and create economic value for companies, countries and communities. The symposium will focus on the industries and sectors that have the greatest impact on African’s sustainable environmental and economic development. These sectors include agriculture, healthcare, energy and mining, travel and tourism, as well as manufacturing.

Companies investing in Africa recognize that long-term sustainable development incorporating responsible social and environmental performance is vital for their profitability. The large landscapes of Africa, with some of the most magnificent wildlife on earth, are under critical stress as the continent struggles to balance critical investment and economic development need with maintaining a healthy environment. The roles of the private sector in ensuring the viability of Africa’s last great species and landscapes and the linkages between investment and sustainable development will be explored. The symposium will focus on the strong business case for integrating environmentally sustainable, conservation based considerations in core management systems.

The symposium will take place on Thursday, November 13, 2003 from 1:30-5:30 pm, and will include a plenary session and sector breakout meetings. Industry sectors will have the opportunity to examine environmental issues and challenges for the whole value chain of the sector. Each of the sector meetings will feature business leaders showcasing technical and managerial best practices along with leading African conservationists. Sector breakout topics will focus on the following areas: healthcare; manufacturing; extractive industries; tourism and agriculture.