For release on:
30 April 2008
For more information contact:
Joe Patterson, PMI Public Relations
Project Management Institute
+1-610-356-4600 ext. 1112
joseph.patterson@pmi.org
NEWTOWN SQUARE, PENNSYLVANIA, USA – Corporate social responsibility will be the topic of econsense official Thomas Koenen’s address to project managers who meet in Malta from 19 May to 21 May for the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Congress 2008 – EMEA (Europe-Middle East-Africa).
As head of the German econsense office, he is responsible for the realisation of projects and consulting with national and international partners from business and politics; econsense is the leading CSR and sustainability initiative of globally active German companies. Koenen became involved with econsense through the econsense - Forum for Sustainable Development of German Business sponsored by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). In 2006, he was elected to the board of directors of CSR Europe, the leading European Business Network on Corporate Social Responsibility. His board responsibilities include developing the strategic cooperation of 25 National Partner Organisations representing more than 2000 European enterprises.
“Social responsibility is no longer the whim of an environmentally sensitive CEO. It has become a mandate for all organizations in every operation. Project managers must recognize and address this mandate now and into the future,” said Gregory Balestrero, chief executive office of PMI. “Thomas Koenen’s insights on how to establish and sustain programs that are socially responsible are relevant to project managers who are called upon daily to plan and implement projects that impact how organizations operate.”
Also an attorney, Koenen’s legal practice specializes in corporate social responsibility (CRS), business ethics, human rights and compliance. He has wide experience in sustainability management, social and environmental standards, ethical finance markets, stakeholder dialogues and climate protection.
After studies in Bochum and Düsseldorf, Germany, and several extensive stays abroad in the United States, France, Singapore and the German Embassy to the Vatican, Koenen joined the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Bonn, Germany. He holds a postgraduate certificate in sustainable business of the University of Cambridge, England, United Kingdom.
PMIGlobal Congress 2008—EMEA is the premier project management, educational and networking event in the Europe-Middle-East-Africa region. Project managers learn new techniques, tools and best practices, gaining a global and regional perspective of their profession.
Advance registration for the 2008 PMI Global Congress—EMEA is open until 9 May after which on-site fees will apply. To register online and for more information on PMI Global Congress 2008—EMEA, visit http://congresses.pmi.org/EMEA2008/ Congress sponsors include Cadence Management Corporation (www.cadencemc.com), ESI International (www.esi-intl.com), George Washington University (www.gwu.edu), International Institute for Learning, Inc.(IIL) (www.iil.com) and Primavera (www.primavera.com).
About PMI
With more than 265,000 members in 170 plus countries, the Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI) is the leading membership association for the project management profession and the largest association dedicated to project management in the world. As the leading advocate for the profession, PMI is actively engaged in setting professional standards, providing a professional career path for project managers and maintaining a family of professional credentials: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®), Project Management Professional (PMP®) and Program Management Professional (PgMP)® The PMP, held by more than 267,000 project managers worldwide, is the only project management credential that is globally transferable. Additionally, PMI provides members with access to the knowledge, skills, educational support and networking opportunities needed to drive business results through project management, program management and portfolio management. The Institute is highly regarded for its extensive research capabilities and its program to accredit colleges and universities and Registered Education Providers to teach PMI approved project management courses. PMI was founded in 1969. Please visit PMI.org for more information.