The Responsible Finance & Investment Summit (RFI Summit) is an initiative of the RFI Foundation and Swiss Arab Network to build awareness of shared values that can bring socially responsible investing (SRI), environmental, social and governance (ESG) and Islamic finance together to increase their positive impact. This Responsible Finance & Investment Summit brings together key stakeholders within responsible finance to build connections to new growth opportunities and more measurable impact. The RFI Summit will play a vital role in connecting representatives from across the responsible finance industry to build on the growing cooperation between SRI, ESG and Islamic finance.
IMPACT FINANCE & TECHNOLOGY
Organized by
26-27 April 2018
Hotel Atlantis by Giardino
Zurich, Switzerland
OBJECTIVES
SUMMIT PILLARS
In panel discussions, interactive sessions and through participant contributions, we will focus on the five pillars of the Responsible Finance & Investment Summit
Define our shared objectives
Sustainable Development Goals promote consistency in our goals
Advance cooperation by focusing on outcomes and using dialogue to overcome roadblocks
Attract new financial resources
Impact finance is growing much faster but from a smaller base than sustainable finance
European assets lead growth but the conversation around the objectives of impact finance must be global
Make impact more intentional
The balance between financial and social can vary but commitment to impact cannot
Measurement should be guided by intention and drive additionality for impact
Drive greater inclusion
Bringing diverse perspectives opens impact finance for the widest audience
Different experiences and priorities promotes innovation in impact finance
Empower greater responsibility
Technology moves faster than financial institutions across national borders and 80% of the global population lives in emerging markets
Emerging markets are not just a large market but can be a great source for innovation, including in responsible finance
PROGRAMME
Pre-Summit Roundtables
Hosted by
Co-organizers
Roundtable 1 (co-hosted with European Partners for the Environment and Bank of the Argentine Nation): Blockchain for Sustainable and Inclusive Finance
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9:00 - 9:15 Welcome & introductions for morning session
Chair: Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation
Beat Bachmann, Head Economic Promotion, Canton of Zug/ Department of Economic Affairs Raymond Van Ermen, Advisor to the President, European Partners for the Environment -
9:15 – 9:30 Keynote address/video message
Javier Conzalez Fraga, President of the Bank of the Argentine Nation (video)
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9:30 – 9:40 Keynote address/video message
Delfina López Freijido, Director for Sustainable Finance, G20 Unit Ministry of Treasury, Republica Argentina (video)
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9:40 - 10:20 Introductions – The application of blockchain to advance the implementation of the SDGs
Inge Relph, Head of Sustainability and Strategic Relationships, Lykke Blockchain potential in sustainable development.
Jan Ohnesorge, Associated Researcher, German Development Institute Blockchain Technology and its Potential for Financial Inclusion (pdf) -
10:20 - 11:00 Blockchain for Sustainable and Inclusive Finance
10:20 – 10:40 Monitoring Commitments and Blockchain Technology
Cecilia Repinski, Executive Director, Stockholm Green Digital Finance Stockholm Green Digital Finance has been awarded a grant from the EU‘s main climate innovation initiative, Climate-KIC.10:40 – 11:00
Daniel Ahmed, Co-Founder, Human Crescent
Human Crescent empowers people to support humanitarian projects through the world’s first Zakah-driven, humanitarian crowdfunding platform. -
11:00 - 11:10 Break
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11:10 – 12:00 The roundtable discussion will explore the design and the impact of the application of blockchain to address sustainable and inclusive nance in relation with the SDGs and the Climate Agreements. Discussion about future actions will center on how the traceability provided by blockchain can be used across a wider reach of the sustainable nance universe.
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12:00 - 13:00 Lunch Break
Roundtable 2 (co-hosted with UN Environment): The Role for Faith-Based Financial Institutions in Sustainable & Inclusive Finance
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13:00 - 13:15 Welcome & Introductions
Chair: Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation
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13:15 - 13:35 Keynote address
Dr. Iyad Abu Moghli, Principal Advisor for Strategic Engagement with Faith-based Organizations at UN Environment
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13:35 - 14:15 Consistencies in principles between faith organization on sustainable & inclusive finance
Presentations:
Adam C.T. Matthews, Head of Engagement & Secretary of the Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG), Church of England on “Church of England Divestment policy”
Dr. Abdullatif Bello, Chief Economist, Islamic Development Bank on “Islamic Development Bank‘s Approach to Environmental issues” (pdf)
Rev. Norman Tendis, World Council of Churches on “WCC policy on investment
and the protection of the environment” -
14:15 – 14:45 Application of faith principles in multi-faith initiatives
Presentations:
Lisa Jordan, Director of Shine Invest on “Accelerating investment in distributed
renewable energy solutions in energy poor regions of the world” (pdf)
Caroline Bader, Director of Sustainable Living Initiative, GreenFaith on the “Sustainable Living Initiative” (pdf) -
14:45 – 15:35 Examples from UNEP FI & RFI members
Deia Markova, Positive Impact Finance and Environmental & Social Advisory, Société Générale Liesel van Ast, Signatory Relations Manager, UNEP FI
Nida Raza, Director Advisory Services, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD)Moderator: Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation
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15:35 - 15:50 Break
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15:50 – 16:50 Zug Guidelines and next steps: Do we need global guidelines or faith-specific guidelines?
Klaus-Michael Christensen, President of the Swiss Impact Investment Association, on behalf of the Alliance for Religion and Conservation (ARC)
Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation
Moderator: Beat Bachmann, Head Economic Promotion, Canton of Zug/ Department of Economic Affairs -
16:50 – 17:50 The way forward: how to engage new, developing and existing initiatives
Moderated Discussion with Roundtable Participants
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17:50 – 18:00 Concluding Remarks
Conference Day 1
26th April 2018 – Impact Finance & Islamic Finance
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8:30 - 9:15 Arrival of participants, breakfast & networking
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9:15 - 9:30 Welcome Ceremony
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9:30 - 9:45 Welcome Addresses
Mounir Khouzami, Co-Founder & President, Swiss Arab Network
Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation -
9:45 - 10:05 Opening Keynote
HRH Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, 14th Emir of Kano and former Central Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
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10:05 – 10:25 Opening Keynote
Dr. Dr. h.c. Henri B. Meier, Entrepreneurial Leader and Venture Capitalist
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10:25 - 11:00 Networking & Refreshment Break
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11:00 - 11:45 Panel 1: Spectrum of impact finance & Islamic finance
Speakers:
• Eric Usher, Head, UNEP FI
• Christian Heyner, President, 1bank4all Founding Association
• Abdulla Al Awar, CEO, Dubai Islamic Economy Development CentreModerated by Kelly Hess, Senior Project Manager, Swiss Sustainable Finance
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11:45 - 12:30 Panel 2: Where do impact finance & Islamic finance connect?
Speakers:
- Martina Macpherson, Partner, SI Partners & President, Network for Sustainable Financial Markets
- Daud Vicary Abdullah, Managing Director, DVA Consulting Sdn Bhd
- Dirk Elsen, Director of Emerging Markets, Triodos Investment Management
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12:30 - 14:00 Lunch Break
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14:00 - 14:45 Conventional Impact Investing cases (3 parallel workshops) - Group A, B and C
Group A: UBS Optimus Foundation (pdf)
Presented by Sietse Wouters, Director, Innovative Finance at UBS, Optimus Foundation
Moderated by Amer Vohora, Partner/Chief Client Officer, ValueWorks AGGroup B: Fawry & ResponsAbility (pdf)
Presented by Sarah Djari, Investment Director, Equity, Financial Institutions, responsAbility Investments AG
Moderated by Azzeddine Chaibrassou, Founder, QardGroup C: WFN Impact Fund (pdf)
Presented by Klaus-Michael Christensen, President of SIIA
Dr. Helmut Fluhrer, Founder and CEO, WeatherTec
Moderated by Anna Mroczkowska, Strategic Financial Advisor, Topan AG -
14:45 - 15:30 Islamic Finance Impact Investing Cases (3 parallel workshops) - Group A, B and C
Group A: Green Sukuk – CIMB Islamic (pdf)
Presented by Rafe Haneef, CEO, CIMB Islamic
Moderated by Kurt Lieberman, CEO, Magni Global Asset Management LLCGroup B: IFRC – Zakat for Drought Relief (pdf)
Presented by Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Under Secretary General for Partnerships at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Moderated by Stuart Hutton, Chief Investment Officer, Simply EthicalGroup C: thirdACT (pdf)
Presented by Diane Schrader, Founder & CEO, thirdACT
Moderated by Khaldoun Dia-Eddine, Head, Center for Middle East and Africa Business, ZHAW School of Management and Law -
15:30 - 16:00 Networking & Refreshment Break
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16:00 - 16:35 Breakout groups (Group A, B & C)
Participants in the Summit will meet to discuss similarities and differences between the conventional and Islamic impact nance cases, and work collaboratively to generate greater understanding of how to use the lessons from the cases to widen the impact nance investor base.
The objective of the breakout groups will be to identify recommendations to bring together impact-focused and pro t-focused investors from both conventional and Islamic nance market together to achieve shared objectives, focusing on how to overcome challenges that come with mixing different types of investors. Each breakout group will include those presenting the case and will have one or multiple facilitators who will be familiar with the objectives and the case studies in order to encourage a targeted and inclusive discussion.
Facilitators will include moderators from previous workshops
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16:35 - 17:15 Reconvene the full Summit audience and invite each group to nominate one representative to present their ndings to the audience, and to participate in a moderated discussion of similarities & differences between the cases they discussed and how to overcome challenges that come with mixing different types of investors.
Heiko Specking, Founder & Partner, Specking+Partners
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17:15 - 17:50 Featured Interview – One-on-one conversation with Dr. Iyad Abu Moghli who is Principal Advisor for the Faith and Environment Initiative at the United Nations Environment Programme
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17:50 - 18:00 Outlook for the next day & celebration
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18:00 - 19:30 Flying Swiss & Arabic Dinner
Conference Day 2
27th April 2018 – Impact Finance & Technology
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8:00 - 9:00 Registration, Breakfast & Networking
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9:00 - 9:15 Welcome Address & Icebreaker
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9:15 - 9:30 Morning Address
Robert Ruttmann, Founder, Redesigning Financial Services, Institute for Customer Insight, University of St. Gallen
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9:30 - 9:45 Video Message
Delfina López Freijido, Director for Sustainable Finance, G20 Unit, Ministry of Treasury, República Argentina
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9:45 - 10:00 Presentation of Breakout Group Recommendations & Discussions
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10:00 - 10:20 Looking back to last year (RFI Summit 2017) – 3 SDG Challenge Finalists – Where are they now?
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10:20 - 10:45 Networking & Refreshment Break
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10:45 - 11:30 Panel 3: Visionary Outlook Technology & Innovation
- Prof. Nisheeth Vishnoi, EPFL, School of Computer and Communication Sciences, Lausanne
- Dr. Shaun Conway, Founder & President, ixo Foundation (pdf)
- Inge Relph, Head of Sustainability and Strategic Relationships, Lykke
Moderated by Heiko Specking, Founder & Partner, Specking+Partner
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11:30 - 12:30 SDG Challenge Award – AID:Tech, INBONIS & thirdACT
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12:30 - 12:45 RFI Foundation Report Launch: “Environmental Impact & Islamic Finance”
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12:45 - 13:00 Concluding remarks, Wrap up, Ceremony and Outlook
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13:00 - 15:00 Lunch & Networking
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
PANELISTS
Christian Gueckel
Chief Risk Officer
SEDCO Capital
Inge Relph
Head of Sustainability and Strategic Relationships
Lykke Blockchain Finance Corp
Klaus-Michael Christensen
President and Co-founder
Swiss Impact Investment Association (SIIA)
Sarah Djari
Investment Director, Equity, Financial Institutions
responsAbility Investments AG
Dr. Robert Ruttmann
Founder, Redesigning Financial Services
Institute for Customer Insight, University of St. Gallen
Dr. Iyad Abu Moghli
Principal Advisor for Strategic Engagement with Faith-based Organizations
UN Environment
Martina Macpherson
Partner, SI Partners & President
Network for Sustainable Financial
Markets
Dr. Shaun Conway
Founder & President
ixo Foundation
Khaldoun Dia-Eddine
Head, Center for Middle East and Africa Business
ZHAW School of Management and Law
Dr. Jemilah Mahmood
Under Secretary General for Partnerships
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Delfina López Freijido
Director for Sustainable Finance
G20 Unit, Ministry of Treasury, República Argentina
SDG CHALLENGE
The RFI Foundation, in partnership with the Swiss Finance + Technology Association, Finocracy and the Responsible Finance & Investment (RFI) Summit partners, launched the Support Disruption for Good (SDG) Challenge in 2017 to find the most promising ethical, responsible or Islamic FinTech innovation and connect them to the leading institutions in the responsible finance industry.
The return of the Support Disruption for Good Challenge will focus on identifying technology companies, including FinTech companies, whose products are gaining market traction and whose technology helps the financial sector to increase the scale of its financing & investment in the Priority Sectors: Agriculture, Healthcare, Sustainable Cities & Education. Completed applications should be submitted to info@rfisummit.org and must be received by 23:59 (Central European Time) on 23 March 2018.
Support Disruption for Good Challenge Judges
Rachel Zedeck
Director, Climate Smart Agri and Impact Investment Strategies
Peterson Project and Solutions
AlDana Banihashem
General Manager
Al Naser Engineering
Congratulations to Tez Financial Services for winning the inaugural Support Disruption for Good Challenge!
Left to right, Chris Laurent, CMO & Head of Funding, Pintail, Tanvir Uddin, Head of Operations, AgriFunder, Naureen Hyat, Business Head – Savings & Investments, Tez Financial Services, Claire Vinçonneau-Perrot, Country Head, France and Francophonie, Pintail, Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation
All applicants were judged against a transparent set of criteria by an independent judging panel drawn from across the responsible finance and FinTech industry. During the review process judges evaluated the ability of each entrant to effectively scale, contribute to financial inclusion, contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals while being financially sustainable.
The following three finalists presented their innovation on 4 May 2017 during the RFI Summit in Zurich:
– Tez Financial Services
– Pintail
– AgriFunder
Delegates cast votes to select the winning innovation.
Why Sponsor?
Responsible Finance & Investment Summit 2018 sponsors will have their contribution integrated in a way that augments the delegates’ experience to deliver the most authentic engagement for each sponsor through opportunities including:
This is a unique opportunity to create greater awareness of your institution across an audience of influential senior decision makers from the responsible finance sector including senior management, analysts, legal experts and government representatives
Why Attend?
The Responsible Finance & Investment Summit gives you an exclusive opportunity to engage with key leaders in responsible and faith-based finance gathered together to identify growth opportunities and strategies to deliver more impact. Here are the few important reasons to attend the summit.
- Become a part of the pioneering initiative to connect Islamic finance and ESG together to make the responsible finance industry more impactful.
- Learn from the global thoughts leaders in responsible and Islamic finance about the new trends in the industry, particularly in impact finance.
- Be the first to learn about initiatives from policy makers and regulators in the industry.
- Meet 200 other senior professionals in the industry who are interested in expanding connections within responsible finance markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
- Learn about new initiatives using technology to drive impact in responsible finance through the Support Disruption for Good Challenge which will recognize a new leader in enabling impact finance.
- Become a part of the critical conversations with a global audience via the social media and engage with others in the responsible finance industry.
- Have the opportunity to interact directly with thought leaders in panel discussions and in an open format where you can shape the way forward.
Who’s Attending?
In addition to the board of trustees of the RFI Foundation, the summit will be attended by:
- International business leaders in the responsible and Islamic finance industry
- Dignitaries, policy makers, regulators and representatives of international organizations
- CIOs, economists, strategists, business specialists and professionals, mid-level management, business development managers, analysts.
- Leaders in rating, accounting and professional services
- Global thought leaders and experts in research
- Lawyers and legal experts
- Professors, academics and journalists
MEDIA
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