Creating Value for Business and Society

The global financial crisis and the actions of a handful of individuals and companies have significantly eroded the public trust in corporations—in the United States and across the globe. Chief executives from major companies are faced with the challenge of restoring the public’s confidence in their companies even as they focus on weathering the financial storm.

On May 13, the Brookings Institution and the Clinton Global Initiative hosted a discussion on corporate philanthropy and social responsibility in the midst of an economic downturn. The discussion focused on how businesses can create value both for shareholders and society, and how some companies have integrated “doing good” into their core businesses to reduce costs, increase profits, and confront the world’s most pressing problems.