Bpeace Announces Initiative to Create One Million Jobs for Peace

New Partnerships Sought through the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting

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Sep 23, 2010, 07:30 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Bpeace (Business Council for Peace), the nonprofit that works with entrepreneurs in conflict-affected countries, today announced that it will create One Million Jobs for peace. One Million Jobs is a new partnership to develop sustainable businesses and employment in conflict-affected countries including Afghanistan, Rwanda and El Salvador. The partnership between Bpeace and partner corporations was announced as a commitment at the Clinton Global Initiative's (CGI) 2010 annual meeting in New York City.

Bpeace, which believes that more jobs mean less violence, is seeking to partner with corporations that can deploy employees as skill-based volunteers to consult with Bpeace Fast Runner entrepreneurs virtually or in-person. Functional areas for volunteers include, but are not limited to, finance, customer service, sales and marketing, HR, management, industry-specific technical advisory.

In the commitment's ramp-up phase, founding corporate partners commit to deploy employees who desire to consult virtually or in-person with 100 small business owners over the next three years; prepare the top 10 to 20 percent of these entrepreneurs to be investment ready; and provide Bpeace with financial support to drive this program.

In each community, Bpeace involves business and government leaders in their search for the industry sectors and small business owners most likely to create jobs.

Bpeace will augment its proven entrepreneurial development model - consisting of consulting, out-of-country apprenticeships, training, networking - to include corporate finance and capital markets programming. Bpeace will leverage its network to educate investors, intermediaries and entrepreneurs on SGB or SME investment opportunities in these countries.

"One Million Jobs will create employment in the communities that need it most," said Toni Maloney CEO and Co-founder of Bpeace. "Through corporate partnerships we can support entrepreneurs and help them create new jobs that spark a multiplier effect that sustains families and boosts local purchasing power, which in turn lifts other businesses, creates even more employment and new markets and accelerates the community up the path to prosperity and peace. We are honored to participate in this year's CGI and to solidify our commitment to create One Million Jobs for Peace."

About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI):

Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. Since 2005, CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 125 current and former heads of state, 15 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations, major philanthropists, directors of the most effective nongovernmental organizations, and prominent members of the media. These CGI members have made more than 1,700 commitments valued at $57 billion, which have already improved the lives of 220 million people in more than 170 countries. The 2010 CGI Annual Meeting will take place from September 20-23, 2010, in New York City. The CGI community also includes CGI University (CGI U), a forum to engage college students in global citizenship, MyCommitment.org, an online portal where anybody can make a Commitment to Action, and CGI Lead, which engages a select group of young leaders from business, government, and civil society. For more information, visit www.clintonglobalinitiative.org.

About Bpeace

Bpeace believes the path to peace is lined with jobs. We work with entrepreneurs in conflict-affected countries to scale their businesses, create significant employment for all, and expand the economic power of women. More jobs mean less violence.®

Bpeace is a non-profit coalition of business professionals. We offer pro-bono access to our expertise, technical assistance, networks and proven methodologies to help Fast Runners expand their businesses, increase profitability, create new employment, retain and attract customers, and access markets and capital.

Bpeace tailors a one-three year investment in each entrepreneur—a mix of consulting, training, mentoring, out-of-country apprenticeships and business site visits, employee technical training, equipment, technology, branding and marketing, and networking opportunities.