Jordan's Queen Calls for a New Kind of Corporate Philanthropy

Flanked by a large security detail, Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan was whisked to her seat in the ancient Sheldonian Theatre for the opening evening's presentations at this 4th annual Skoll World Forum for Social Entrepreneurship. But the 37-year-old queen consort didn't stand on ceremony and wasted little time: she was on a clear mission to ask the many well-connected and well-monied to embrace a new form of corporate philanthropy.

She called it "corporate multicultural responsibility" - or CMR - and argued that it represents a "shared commitment to multicultural responsibility." Given the Queen's background as a very public, liberal, Muslim woman, it's clear she is literally placing her life behind the movement to reconcile east and west. And her choice of international companies was a canny one - in truth, she stunned the crowd in the Sheldonian.

"This will be an essential strategy for success, not just a way to ease the corporate conscience," said Queen Rania. Learning about global diversity and breaking down cultural barriers, she argued, would be good for the corporate bottom line.

"Why not bring the healing values of humanity within the company and shine a bright light on your corporate creativity."

She was also honest: "I haven't got this all figured out yet, but please join me." Nothing less than ending the "poverty of multicultural respect" is at stake, she said. More information is promised at the Queen's Website.

Note: Bruno Giussani has a very complete live-blogging of the opening session, with many links. Well worth reading.

Comments

[Carolyn Cavicchio]

U.S.-based companies are still trying to figure out how to address CSR (corporate social responsibility). It will be interesting to see how they respond to a call for yet another kind of community involvement. Perhaps the Queen would do well to present some data regarding the size of the global Muslim/multicultural market -- and their spending power -- in order to get the attention of corporate America.

[Nicola West Jones]

I don't doubt that there are many inspiring examples where companies can "shine a bright light on their corporate creativity". There are some fantastic examples of companies addressing diversity and reaping the benefits on their bottom line. I do however wonder how many companies can truly be seen, from a leadership / boardroom perspective, to be combatting the "male, pale and stale" demographic...and until companies can turn this on its head, will Queen Rania's objectives ever have a hope of coming to fruition?

[tina]

im a female i wanna give a gift for my friend , my friend always wanted to get reply from queen rania he just wants this nothing else ,im asking now its possible to contact to queen rania only by email he just wanna write something for her ...

[Sara]

what humanity she is talking about ...The Racist palestinian queen of Jordan!!
She is taking advantage of the demographic situation in Jordan where palestinians account 60% of the Population !! they like her whatever the wrong she do they dont admit it !
We as Jordanians from Jordanian origin live intolerable economic situation there are many social problems we face with palestinians because of her !
she supported them illegally she interfier in the inetrnal political matters illegally which is unconstitutional whoever the queen is !

[Zeinab Salti]

i really love the work that you are doing right now and when i grow up i hope to be just like you!

Your new friend,
Zeinab SAlti

[Brij B. Lal]

SHARE GOD’S BLESSINGS
Let us build a world where there is no consideration for caste, creed, color, religion, sex, race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or any other kind which man created to differentiate between human beings. Let us find out the real needy and share God’s Blessings Let us start first with our home, then relatives, then our neighborhood, town, city, district, province, state, country and then countries. If this concept develops and every one of us believes in it from our hearts, there will be peace and progress in the world, harmony, brotherhood among all living beings.

CONCEPT:We can discuss its details, if some one is interested to pursue.