Critical friendships - 'non-Government organizations' (NGOs) as a stimulus for sustainable innovation and change

摘要

This paper introduces the Forum for the Future and describes its approach and work chiefly conducted in the Business Program (FBP). As part of the UK's largest Sustainable Development charity, FBP works with companies using a 'partnership' model to create innovation and stimulate change. The paper begins by introducing the background and history of Forum, its missions and working practices. Specifically it will highlight the work we do in the role of a 'critical friend' to companies trying to grapple with the sustainable development agenda. In this role, we balance support, knowledge and capacity building with a more challenging stance, which strives for ongoing improvement. The paper discusses how we actively engage with organisations and business on real sustainability issues. It also explains some of the cutting edge research we do, introducing Digital Europe (the sustainability implications of ICT and digital technology), Limited Edition (sustainable marketing) and future work on Sustainable Innovation. In doing this, the paper hopes to illustrate how NGO's can be a stimulus AND partner for sustainable transformation, innovation and change by adopting a solutions-orientated approach - as well as indicating how the NGO agenda is shifted and developing over the years.