My work in the last few years on sustainable luxury seemed to some to be a bit of a break with my more development and international policy focus, albeit on corporate responsibility. I sought to promote sustainable luxury for a range of reasons, but one was to leverage high end brands to help make sustainability sexy in urban middle class Asia as fast as possible. NGOs can’t do that. Gucci could. Well, it seems the wave of eco cool is sweeping China’s youth, even if not their Copehagen delegation.
This new work led me in new and unusual directions, even stepping out on a cat walk, at an eco fashion show in Hong Kong run by EcoChic Fashions, in October 08. But as I still lived in Geneva and was working on finishing a couple of projects with UNRISD and UNSSC, the UN was still in my mind. Earlier that year, by Lac Leman, Louise Barber of the UNOG had told me that 2009 was to be the international year of natural fibres (yes, really, it was), and 2010 the international year of biodiversity. So, I mused, why not hold an eco fashion show at the UN, to promote these ideas, and encourage industry engagement? And, of course, have the fun of seeing a cat walk in the middle of the UN. I connected her, Eduardo Escobedo at UNCTAD, and Christina Dean at Green2Greener, and with their dedicated colleagues, the event is now upon us. And.. you can even attend! If you register. See below.
Perhaps international cooperation could become the new fashion?! It may not seem like that after COP15, but in light of that intergovernmental impasse, the more innovative ways the UN can catalyse change the better!
Redefining Sustainability in the International Agenda: Inspiring Greater Engagement in Biodiversity Issues
January 20–21, 2010
Room XIX – Palais des Nations, UN
Geneva, Switzerland
UNCTAD and Green2greener invite you to come and join the more than 500 prominent figures from government, international organizations, and industry as they meet in Geneva on 20-21 January to call for action against the rapid loss of the world’s biodiversity.
This timely seminar will provide a collaborative platform to discuss the need to redefine sustainability. Through the viewpoint of the fashion and luxury industries, participants will gain a unique insight into the role that governments, businesses, and consumers can play in supporting biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Through interactive panel discussions and in-depth case studies, the 1.5 day seminar will cover issues such as
· Redefining Sustainability: Why Biodiversity and Why Now?
· How to Implement a Successful Sustainability Strategy
· Educating and Engaging Consumers in Biodiversity Issues
· The Rise of the Ethical Consumer and Eco-Fashion in the Mass Market
· Luxury Brands as Sustainable Role Models
· Environmental Traceability, Accountability and Certification
· The Role of the Creative Industries in Developing Economies
· The Role of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
· Paving the road towards the CBD COP 10 and the revision of the International Biodiversity Targets.
Confirmed participants include representatives from business, international organizations, government, media and NGOs such as:
· Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
· Willen Wijnstekers, Secretary-General, Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)
· Dermot Rowan, Managing Director, Orla Kiely
· Burak Cakmak, Director CSR, Gucci Group
· Giulia Di Tommaso, Director of Legal Policy and International Relations, Unilever
· Jean-Fraçois Fournon, Global Creative Director, Saatchi & Saatchi Simko
· Hans Steisslinger, Head R&D Natural Cosmetics, Weleda Group AG
· Peter Ingwersen, Founder, Noir
· Tamsin Blanchard, Style Director, The Telegraph Magazine
· Sarah Ratty, Founder and CEO, Ciel
· Alphadi, President & Founder, Festival International de la Mode Africaine
· Jean-Luc Ansel, Director General, Cosmetic Valley
· Isabel Berz, Director Fashion School, Istituto Europea di Design Madrid
· Kate Dillon, Model and M.P.A. in international development
· Tamsin LeJeune, Founder, Ethical Fashion Forum
· Erin O’Conner, Model
· Summer Rayne Oaks, Model and Sustainability Strategist, SRO
and many others….
This must-attend event has been co-organised by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and Hong Kong charity Green2greener as part of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.
All activities will take place in Room XIX in the Palais des Nations (E-Building, third floor).
Pre-registration for the seminar is essential.
For further information, please contact Eduardo Escobedo at +41 22 917 5607 or by email eduardo.escobedo@unctad.org or visit http://www.unctad.org
Prof Jem Bendell 