The objective of this conference is to provide a forum where leading representatives from academia, financial institutions, NGOs, companies and investor groups can come together to discuss the challenges of integrating corporate social/environmental considerations when making financial investment decisions.

The challenges to be discussed range from the more philosophical/conceptual, such as whether it makes any difference for a financial investor to integrate ethical considerations, to concrete discussions on how to effect a positive influence on companies through investment and divestment mechanisms.

"Investing for the Future" is an international conference organised by the Norwegian Ministry of Finance, together with Norges Bank and the Council on Ethics. The conference is to take place in Oslo from 16 to 17 January, 2008. It is hosted by the Norwegian Minister of Finance and HRH the Norwegian Crown Prince will be a guest of honour.

It is of great importance for the Norwegian Government to ensure that the Pension Fund – Global (previously the Petroleum Fund) yields favourable financial return over time for the benefit of its owners, the Norwegian people and future generations of Norwegians. At the same time, we believe that we have a responsibility towards the environment and the people that are affected by the companies in which the Fund invests worldwide, says the Norwegian Minister of Finance Ms Kristin Halvorsen.

This dual responsibility and the tools with which to meet it are laid down in the Ethical Guidelines for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund – Global. The guidelines are considered to represent broad consensus among the Norwegian people. This conference will also mark the beginning of the Ethical Guidelines’ evaluation period, which will continue throughout 2008. The Ministry of Finance plans to present the findings from the evaluation to the Norwegian Parliament during spring 2009.

Summary report from the conference

Web cast from the conference:
Wednesday, January 16 (0900 - 1800)
Thursday, January 17 (0900 - 1300)

If you would like to read the speaker's speeches/PowerPoint presentations, please refer to our programme. They appear between brackets after their names.