Salle Brongniart

14:30 - 16:15

Track 1: Faith Consistent Investment (FCI)
3iG has set itself an historic task of shifting the attitudes and investment policies of the major world religions from the tradition of a via negativa – not investing in certain arenas because of strongly held views about, for example, alcohol, armaments or interest income – to a via positiva – selecting arenas to invest in because the activities thus supported are consistent with faith values and belief.

The question is: which types of investments should we look at? What is the added value of FCI and to which of the potential investments should we devote our priorities? Many corporations, foundations, organisations are involved in SRI, often motivated through risk issues, and utilitarian perspectives such as new business niches. FCI claims to be a wider concept than SRI. The Faiths share with large pension funds a long-term perspective on investments unlike the short-term profit orientation of the general market. FCI practitioners are informed by a world view and vision that is rooted in their religious faith perspective. According to the Islam we are temporarily visitors on this planet. According to Judaism God owns the earth and we are his custodians. For Sikhs mankind forms an integrated part of nature, a belief that is shared by Hindus as well as many Buddhist traditions. Christians adhere to the principle of stewardship of the planet. FCI practitioners are often motivated by the virtue of solidarity which finds expression in the struggles of specific communities and peoples in specific regions of the world. For many of our board members 3iG should focus on the Millennium Goals of the United Nations.

The Board of 3iG has invited five scholars, renowned in the realm of faith as well as investment, to highlight the various beliefs. These scholars present their views in an engaging workshop during the conference in Paris.

Michiel Hardon (Switzerland )
Member Executive Committee - International Interfaith Investment Group

Alberto Rossetti (Vatican City)
Professor of Economics/History of Economic Thought - Pontifical Gregorian University

Syed Nazim Ali (Unknown)
Directory - Harvard University

Meir Tamari (Israel)
Founder - Business Ethics Center of Jerusalem

Takayuki Ashizu (Japan)
Association of Shintō Shrines

Katsuji Iwahashi (Japan)
International Sect - JINJA-HONCHO