OVERVIEW

The outbreak of a major global pandemic has brought the need for corporate resiliency and nimbleness into sharp focus. The crisis has also elevated societal attention to the unequal distribution of economic benefits, power, and access and the need to take collective action with respect to the impending climate crisis.

The 2020 virtual meeting of the Salzburg Global Corporate Governance Forum explored crisis response and leadership addressing what it takes for a business to survive an existential threat, and how companies should tackle both the distinct issues and converging risks around income inequality, COVID-19, climate change and broader issues of systemic inequality.

PROGRAM FORMAT

This online program consisted of four highly interactive modules that facilitated participation from different time zones. We see these four sessions as cumulative discussions and invite all participants to join the full program consisting of two sessions each day on October 9 and 10. In exceptional cases where participants are only able to make one or more sessions, they are invited to do so.

Discussions took place in plenary and small breakout groups. As always, we adhered to the Chatham House Rule in order to allow for candid and open exchange of ideas.

Participation in this program was by invitation only.

KEY QUESTIONS

1. What does it take for a business to survive an existential threat?
2. Shared prosperity: What is the role of the compensation committee in addressing income inequality?
3. Are companies prepared to handle the converging risks of COVID-19 and climate change?
4. How should boards be addressing Black Lives Matter and broader issues of systemic inequality?

PARTICIPANT PROFILE

The Forum is primarily intended to benefit directors and principals of corporations organized and operating in various jurisdictions who want an off-the-record opportunity to explore and address some of the greatest challenges facing them as directors in the coming decade. The aim is to help them return to their boardrooms with new ideas which they can implement, and with new partnerships and insights, so that they can become thought leaders and change makers for the coming decades.

Within the overall group, directors have been supplemented by additional voices representing other constituents, based on their relevance to the topic and ability to present constructive but divergent views. These included senior managers; judges, regulators, and policymakers; lawyers; thought leaders and academics; investors; and representatives of key civil society interest groups.

Since its inauguration in 2015, the Forum has welcomed participants from 25 countries: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK, and the USA.

SPONSOR

UNIVERSITY PARTNER: