Aurora Institute - rewriting the corporate charter

The support we hope to receive from Change Everything will be used to increase Aurora’s visibility as a leading voice in promoting more accountable institutions. It will help to build the Institute’s capacity as a key source of information, ideas and solutions for individuals, business and governments looking to establish more accountable and sustainable institutions. It will also be leveraged through other fundraising and partnership activities to extend our reach, measure and maximize our impact.

This letter provides more details on Aurora’s plan to make in 2007/08.

Background

The issues of corporate accountability that Aurora focuses on have changed significantly in the last half decade. Problems associated with the transparency and accountability of public institutions and corporations have gained profile in the media and public priorities. Businesses have become much more active in the realm of corporate social responsibility. There is also broader acknowledgement of the fundamental incongruity between corporations’ need to maximize profits and their ability to consider the public interest.

There is widespread awareness about the problems of accountability; what people are looking for now are the solutions.

The Vision & Mission of Aurora

In light of current environment, awareness and priorities, Aurora has altered its focus somewhat.

The vision of the Aurora Institute has stayed the same. We continue to strive towards: a society in which public institutions and corporations are more accountable to - and more supportive of - the communities in which they operate.

Aurora remains committed to tackling the causes of the problems of accountability and not just the symptoms. We continue to ask the tough questions, stimulate dialogue, conduct relevant, high quality research and provide public education on how to better align our institutions and corporations with the needs and priorities of the public. But in addition, we are now also raising awareness and building capacity around alternative business models that are more responsive to the public interest and more accountable to citizens.

Strategic Goals and Priorities

Solutions and tools have thus become a key component of Aurora’s activities. This theme is woven through all of the projects that are on the organization’s slate for 2007/08. These are outlined below under the Institute’s four strategic priorities and categories of work:

Priority Area

Strategic Goals

Objectives

Research

To conduct credible, applicable and innovative multi-disciplinary research on the role and structure of the corporation, possible reforms to the corporate structure and alternatives business models that:

- support informed public policy recommendations; and

- empower individuals, businesses and governments by providing workable avenues for promoting institutional accountability.

Creating a guide or kit on how to transform organizations to become more accountable. Set a mandate for a more responsible and accountable corporate charter that goes beyond profit and embraces the triple bottom line.

Education

To stimulate public dialogue and debate on challenges of institutional accountability and expand common knowledge about ways of doing business.

Hosting events that engage and outreach the public with open forums on topics of accountability.

To develop and present clear and engaging tools and curriculum that:

- reach out to new audiences;

- teach about the reasons behind current issues of accountability; and

- empower individuals, businesses and members of civil society with solutions for addressing the problems.

Presentations and outreach consultations to organizations with skilled team members. Paid consultants would be mobile change agents advocating accountability.

Partnerships

To establish partnerships and coalitions to further its mission.

Corporate Accountability International, Corporate Accountability International, CBSR, Envirolink Network, GLOBE 2008, Forest Ethics, Pembina Institute, Ethical Corp, B- Corporations, BALLE

Organizational Development

To strengthen our organizational capacity to achieve our mission.