Tuesday June 21, 2016 at 6:00 PM
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM – Pre-Event Networking
6:30 PM – Panel Discussion
The 3 West Club, 3 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
Research from different academic fields has explored the connections between business practices and peace for the last 15 years. The business and peace literature has already inspired several organizations to embrace the concept and produce policy documents that offer recommendations on what businesses could, and in some instances should, do to promote peace (UN Global Compact, US Institute for Peace, Institute for Economics and Peace, Business for Peace Foundation).
In coordination with the UN Global Compact Global Leaders’ Summit on June 22 and 23 in New York, the Eastern Mediterranean Business-Cultural Alliance (EMBCA) will host a panel discussion of the impact of business on peace. The Eastern Mediterranean has been the global hub for business and trade for thousands of years, yet today its countries find themselves in a variety of violent conflicts that have reduced the region’s traditional role. The purpose of the June 21 EMBCA panel, “From the Bronze Age to the Digital Age: How Commerce Impacts Peace in the Mediterranean”, is to introduce business leaders who do work in the region to how their operations can help to enhance peace.
THE PANEL
George Khalaf
Executive Director of The Empathy Fund, a brand new foundation promoting empathy as a form of social action to spark a revolution of human relationships in the 21st century. George was formerly the Director of the Middle East and North Africa region at Synergos and leads the Arab World Social Innovators program for Synergos, an international nonprofit dedicated to reducing poverty and inequity. Mr. Khalaf has over six years of strategy consulting experience with Accenture and Dalberg Global Development Advisors, where he advised multilateral organizations and corporations in the areas of strategy, multisector partnerships and business management. He has extensive experience in several development sectors, including health, education, and conflict resolution. Mr. Khalaf holds a Masters in International Development from Georgetown University and a BA in Political Science and International Relations from Swarthmore College.
Alice Laugher
CEO of CTG Global. Under her decade of leadership, CTG has grown from a company with regional capability to an organization with international business and renowned clients worldwide. As the CEO, Alice provides oversight management of the entire business, strategic and financial direction, as well as being involved in business development activities to ensure client retention and aligning new businesses opportunities to fit with CTG’s business strategy and vision. Her 16 years of International HR management experience partnered with her strong leadership skills are critical factors in her effective business and client management. Specifically her commercial experience is in finance, entertainment and security industries, coupled with experience in providing the same support to a number of Humanitarian Aid Organizations worldwide.
Michelle Breslauer
Director of Programs for the Institute for Economics and Peace, working with diverse stakeholders to build IEP’s profile and partnerships. She works closely with UN agencies, contributing to consultations and global discussions on the Sustainable Development Goals. Michelle speaks frequently on peace, violence, and development at public events and has presented at leading universities, think tanks, and multi-lateral organizations, including Stanford University, the Wilson Center, US Institute of Peace, the World Bank, United Nations, and the World Affairs Council of Northern California. Michelle has significant experience managing complex communication strategies on an international scale, including a 5-year tenure at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, where she was responsible for developing and executing public affairs programs from the $700 million capital project. Michelle holds a master’s degree in Urban Studies from The London School of Economics and a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the American University of Paris.
Alexander Kitroeff
Associate Professor of History, Haverford College. Alexander Kitroeff was born in Athens, Greece and was educated in the U. K. where he received a D.Phil. in Modern History at Oxford University in 1984. His doctoral dissertation, completed at St. Antony’s College under the supervision of Roger Owen and Albert Hourani examined the history of the Greek diaspora in modern Egypt. Kitroeff has taught at Queens College CUNY; Princeton University; Temple University & New York University, and in 1996 began teaching at Haverford College, where he is presently Associate Professor of History. He has published four books: The Greeks in Egypt: Ethnicity & Class 1919-37 (1989); Griegos en America (1992), Wrestling with the Ancients: Modern Greek identity & the Olympics (2004) and a history of the Athens-based sports association “Panathinaikos” (in Greek, 2010). A collection of his articles on the Jews of Greece has also appeared in book-form.
John E. Katsos (Panel Moderator)
Assistant Professor of Business Ethics and Law in the Department of Management of American University of Sharjah. His research and professional work focus on understanding and implementing the best practices of organizations operating in conflict and post-conflict zones in ways that minimize legal liability and enhance peace. His published, peer-reviewed research has appeared in Academy of Management: Perspectives, Business Ethics: A European Review, Business Horizons, and Corporate Ownership and Control. John sits on the Steering Committee of the UN Global Compact UAE Local Network and the Editorial Board of the journal Business, Peace, and Sustainable Development. He is also Chair of the UN Global Compact-Principles for Responsible Management Education Business for Peace Working Group and the UAE UN Global Compact Business for Peace Committee. His areas of teaching are business and peace, business law, business ethics, and negotiations. Prior to joining AUS, he worked for the US Small Business Administration, the New York County District Attorney’s Office and Occidental Petroleum. John is an admitted attorney in New York.
Suggested Donation $25
