Ethos Institute – Business and Social Responsibility is a non-governmental organization created with the mission of mobilizing, sensitizing and helping companies to manage their businesses in a socially responsible manner, making them partners in the construction of a fair sustainable society. Its 907 members comprise companies of different segments and sizes, which account for annual revenues of approximately 30% of the Brazilian GDP and employ roughly 1.2 million people. Their main characteristic is their interest in establishing ethical patterns for the relationship with employees, customers, suppliers, community, shareholders, public power, and the environment.



Conceived by businessmen and executives from the private sector, Ethos Institute is a center for mobilization, organization of knowledge, exchange of experiences and development of tools that can help companies to analyze their management practices and deepen their commitment with corporate responsibility. It is today an international reference in the issue and develops projects in partnership with several bodies worldwide.



Chaired by Oded Grajew, the person who conceived the Social World Forum and member of the Global Compact’s Advisory Council, Ethos Institute works in four lines of action, to:



1. Expand the corporate social responsibility movement (sensitize and engage companies throughout Brazil, articulate partnerships, sensitize the media and universities for the CSR theme, coordinate the Brazilian Global Compact Committee, etc.);



2. Deepen CSR practices (Ethos CSR Indicators – including versions for micro and small companies and some economic sectors. Hold an annual national conference for more than one thousand participants, build interest networks, promote the publication of social and sustainability balance sheets, produce publications and practical manuals);



3. Have influence on markets and their most important players so as to create a more favorable environment for CSR (develop socially responsible investment criteria with pension funds in Brazil, develop a public policies and CSR program, take part in several government councils to discuss the Brazilian public agenda);



4. Articulate CSR with public policies by: a) Creating policies to foster CSR and improve legal landmarks, promoting CSR in the public sector and universalizing successful experiences; b) Fostering company participation in Ethos’ public policies agenda, aiming at promoting dialogue with other social players, articulating offer and demand and promoting partnerships; c) Fostering company participation in social control, by means of follow-ups and demands in legal responsibilities, government transparency and ethical conduct; d) Promoting CSR in public spaces and agendas; e) Structuring consultation processes to members and partners.