American University of Sharjah hosts first Business for Peace forum

American University of Sharjah (AUS) hosted the first United Nations (UN) Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Business for Peace Forum, part of the UN Global Compact Making Global Goals Local Business week.

Organized by the PRME Working Group on Business for Peace, the forum was attended by academics, international organizations and NGOs to discuss the role of business to advance peace.

This year’s forum was about cutting-edge academic research and practical experience pertaining to the peace-building potential of the private sector.

“Peace is the core social issue of our region, and the private sector is often best positioned to address it,” Dr. Björn Kjerfve, AUS chancellor, said. “American University of Sharjah is at the center of the academic-practitioner-student nexus necessary to produce impactful research and promote that research among leaders and future leaders. As such, we are honored to sponsor and host the United Nations PRME Business for Peace Forum 2016.”

Dr. Jorg Bley, interim dean of the School of Business Administration (SBA), also spoke before the delegates.

“At the school level, this forum reflects our continued thought leadership and engagement with the business community on the role of the private sector in promoting sustainable peace," Bley said. "We educate the future leaders of the UAE and the region. Business and peace is now a part of our mandatory Business Ethics and Social Responsibility course, meaning that every one of our nearly 1,800 students will be learning about the ways the private sector can enhance peace before they graduate.”