Schema launches Regional Corporate Governance & Responsibility Forum 09 

(MENAFN Press) Schema, an advisory practice specialized in corporate governance and corporate social responsibility, launched its second Regional Corporate Governance and Responsibility Forum (CGR Forum) on November 2nd until November 4th at the Kempenski Hotel Amman. The CGR Forum 2009 gathered business people and leaders from across the Levant, Gulf, and North Africa to lead the advancement of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility in the region. In doing so, the dynamic CGR Forum utilized traditional and advanced technology in order to maximize participation and the information shared. Building on the first CGR Forum in 2007, Schema aims to create a framework for the development and advancement of effective, suitable, and best business practice policies in corporate governance and corporate social responsibility that will safeguard the sustainability of businesses in the region.

The CGR Forum had various significant speakers including: H.E. Suhair Al Ali, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Mr. Raja Khoury, Treasurer of AmCham (American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan), Mr. Abdulrahim Hasan Naqi, the Secretary General of the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce and Ms. Kathleen Vaughan EVP from Wells and Fargo. Following the opening and the reception, the Forum held interactive sessions specially designed to create a framework intended for international best practices that are applicable in the Levant, Gulf and North Africa.

The CGR Forum brings together the leading experts from the private and public sector to create a road map for the future of the corporate governance and responsibility in the region. The sessions helped identify corporate governance and corporate social responsibility best practices within organizations. Their experiences will then create a method for implementation that is effective and can be integrated into the corporate business plans.

The sessions created a unique participatory environment to share knowledge and experiences. The session started with an introduction on a topic followed by a poll taken by the audience regarding a relevant question. Following, background information was provided to the participants and a discussion took place. Then a case study or a debate was conducted followed by a second poll. The participants shared their knowledge and experience and voted on the opinion polls, thus providing Schema with qualitative and quantitative research. In the end, the session served as a think tank.

The CGR Integration Tools launched at the CGR Forum will have a cumulative effect. It will raise awareness on CGR principles, facilitate translating those principles into practices, provide guidance for better implementation, encourage implementation of CGR, identify best practices and trends and provide companies with methods of self-regulation. This CGR Integration Tool is cost and time efficient, assesses current corporate governance and responsibility practices, is a practical mean to build capacity throughout the organization on corporate governance and responsibility principles and conveniently benchmarks practices on a national and regional level.

Ms. Maali Qasem, Managing Partner of Schema and Chairwoman of the Corporate Governance and Responsibility Forum, stated, “This Forum is a venue that can establish a unified foundation for corporate governance and responsibility in the region based on successful practices that are in line with the global best practices. The CGR Forum, similar to the one in 2007, will provide tangible results and recommendations.”

The CGR Forum 2009 is sponsored by corporations and organizations from around the world. Goldman Sachs and Aramex are the gold sponsors, while Eskedenia and Bridge for Africa are the silver sponsors. In addition, Arabian Business and Jordan Business Magazines are the media sponsors.