BSR Conference 2020: Coming Together to Meet the Moment and Build the Future

Authors

• Katie Morris

  Former Manager, Communications and Marketing, BSR

It’s hard to find the words to describe the current moment. COVID-19. One million deaths. Economic shutdown. Racial injustice. Unemployment. Remote work and school. Extreme hurricanes and historic wildfire events. Political polarization and election fraud allegations in the U.S.

In 2020, we are navigating not one major challenge, but the convergence of public health, economic, political, societal, and existential crises.

So, how do we begin to think about meeting this moment? One thing that is true for all the crises I just described is this: No one solution, no single individual or company, no country on its own can overcome the challenges we face.

Now, more than ever, we need to come together.

Since 1993, the BSR Conference has convened sustainability professionals to connect, share, and learn together; to collaborate and inspire one another; and to create community. This year, however different the circumstances, will be no different.

As 2020 nears its end and we look to move beyond the current moment, we have the opportunity to build a more just, more resilient, and more sustainable future. 

This week, we will gather virtually with sustainability leaders around the globe to explore this year’s theme: Meet the Moment. Build the Future. While we won’t be meeting in person, the BSR Conference experience will provide the same unique value it always has:

• Inspiring and thought-provoking speakers
• Interactive sessions on the most pressing issues facing sustainable business
• Opportunities to network with peers and colleagues from different regions and industries

We’re excited to connect with the change makers that we’re proud to call our community. If you haven’t yet registered, there is still time to sign up and join us. Your Conference pass gives you a front-row seat to our whole program for the week—and access to the recording for an entire year.

As 2020 nears its end and we look to move beyond the current moment, we have the opportunity to build a more just, more resilient, and more sustainable future. Building that future will not be easy. It will take cooperation and collaboration—from business, investors, government, and civil society—and a range of tools and strategies to combat everything from climate change to systemic racism to future pandemics.

But that future is one we must continue to pursue: Sustainable, responsible business is the primary source of strategic advantage and the best route to a just and sustainable world. Through our collective work, as our President and CEO Aron Cramer recently said, we can build the kind of economy, the kinds of businesses, and the kinds of societies that we all want and need.

Only together can we meet the moment and build that better future. We look forward to taking the first step this week.