Calvert SVP, Sustainability Research and Policy, Bennett Freeman, Honored by the Foundation for Social Change, UN Office for Partnerships

BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Bennett Freeman, Senior Vice President, Sustainability Research and Policy, accepted the 2010 "Top Leader of Change" award in recognition of Calvert's SRI leadership and his contributions to corporate responsibility and sustainability from the Foundation for Social Change and the United Nations Office for Partnerships.  The award recognizes visionary, inspirational leaders who through their actions exemplify how leadership, creativity and innovation can result in initiatives that solve social problems.

Mr. Freeman accepted the award at the annual Global Conference for Social Change, held on November 18-19 in New York City.  

"This award reflects and reinforces our belief at Calvert in the power of sustainable and responsible investment to improve the world. It has been a privilege for me to work with my Calvert colleagues to make our approach to SRI more innovative and relevant than ever to address the risks and opportunities of the 21st century. I have also been very fortunate in my career to work at the intersection of government, business and NGOs, as well as the investment world, to find common interests and to raise standards of corporate responsibility across many industries and countries—and to promote human rights and sustainable development.   This award inspires me to continue my work at Calvert and beyond to work across sectors and borders with investors, companies, governments and activists to find those common interests and raise standards on new issues as they emerge," Mr. Freeman stated.

Mr. Freeman has led Calvert's Sustainability Research Department of eighteen analysts since April 2006.  The Department supports Calvert's range of SRI funds through environmental, social and governance research on companies and industries as well as shareholder advocacy and public policy initiatives.   Under Freeman's leadership, the Department has supported the expansion of Calvert's lineup of sustainable and responsible funds and at the same time extended the reach and deepened the impact of Calvert's advocacy and policy work to new issues and industries.

Mr. Freeman is an internationally respected advocate for corporate responsibility, human rights and sustainable development. He is Vice Chair of the Board of the Save Darfur Coalition/Genocide Intervention Network, a Trustee of the Institute for Human Rights and Business, a founding member of the Board of the Global Network Initiative, Chair of the Board of EG Justice, and serves on the Governing Board of the Revenue Watch Institute and on the Business and Economic Relations Group of Amnesty International USA.  He served on the Board of Oxfam America from 2002-10 and represented Oxfam on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Board from 2007-09.  He served in the Clinton Administration as a presidential appointee in three positions at the U.S. Department of State, most recently as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor from 1999-2001.  In that capacity, he led the development of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, since established as the major global human rights standard for the oil/gas and mining industries.  

All 11 of the Top Leaders of Change recipients will meet at the Global Conference for Social Change to present case studies of successful engagements.  Mr. Freeman plans to discuss Calvert's approach to sustainable and responsible investing.  Other presentations will cover:

• Coca-Cola's clean water initiative
• Nike's sustainability and education programs
• Anvil Knitware's sustainability programs
• Grupo Santander Bank Brazil's ethics and transparency initiatives
• Ceres' programs addressing climate change
• Interface's environmental initiatives
• Dow Chemical's sustainability efforts
• Groupe Danone's social business programs
• Reebok's human rights initiative and
• Stonyfield Farm's efforts around sustainability.  

ABOUT CALVERT

A leader in Sustainable and Responsible Investments (SRI), Calvert Investments offers investors among the widest choice of SRI strategies of any investment management company in the United States. Each SRI strategy employs one of three proprietary approaches. Calvert Signature^TM Strategies integrate two distinct research frameworks: a rigorous review of financial performance plus a thorough assessment of environmental, social, and governance performance. Only when a company meets Calvert standards for both frameworks will we consider investing. Calvert Solution^TM Strategies selectively invest in companies that produce products and services designed to solve some of today's most pressing sustainability challenges. Calvert SAGE^TM Strategies emphasize strategic engagement to advance environmental, social, and governance performance in companies that may not meet Calvert standards today, but have the potential to improve. More information on Calvert SRI strategies is available at www.Calvert.com/SRI.

CONTACT:   Melinda Lovins of Calvert at (301) 657-7089 or [email protected] or Elizabeth Le Vaca at (301) 657-7047 or [email protected]

For more information on any Calvert fund, please contact your financial advisor, call Calvert at 800.368.2748 or visit www.calvert.com for a free summary prospectus and/or prospectus. An institutional investor should call Calvert at 800.327.2109. An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of an investment carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information. Read them carefully before you invest or send money.

Calvert mutual funds are underwritten and distributed by Calvert Distributors, Inc., member FINRA and a subsidiary of Calvert Group, Ltd. (10642,11/10)

SOURCE Calvert, Bethesda, MD