As we planned for the Fourth Annual Advisors Forum, scheduled six weeks after President Biden’s inauguration, we knew that our members would be ready to decompress and “Reset” after exactly a year of the pandemic. We structured this year’s event to offer a member-only space for an honest exploration of the challenges confronted and those that remain on the horizon.
Even as the pandemic appears to wane with the promise of mass vaccination, complex challenges remain, such as the climate crisis, the challenge of true democracy, increasing social violence, and racial inequity. As investors and capital stewards, we are uniquely positioned to shift finance as the source of these problems towards ambitious solutions. This kind of reform must be grounded in a truly inclusive society overseen by a representative government.
Thus the focus of the opening day of Reset 2021 was democracy. Discussions centered around the unique role that values-aligned investors can play in rebuilding a peaceful, equitable, and sustainable society by leveraging policy, C4 funding, combating voter suppression, and our influence over market forces. Speakers focused on the next Administration’s policies and strategies to advance progressive concerns.
More than 256 attendees participated in the three-day virtual conference representing $917B in assets under management.
DAY ONE: Protecting Democracy and Shareholder Rights
If the past four years taught Americans anything, it is that an elected government cannot be taken for granted. The U.S. Capital Insurrection of January 6, 2021, led by members of white supremacist organizations, was the culmination of long brewing social discord stirred by a presidency that exploited a racially divided country in hopes of master-minding a second term in office. During Day One of the conference participants discussed how to build a stronger democracy through diversity, equity and inclusion, how social media is the next big threat to social stability, and how to shift capital markets by reforming ESG, among other topics.
Related Blogs:
HOW GENDER PARITY IN GOVERNMENT CAN FOSTER A MORE REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
REFLECTIONS FROM THE CONFLUENCE ADVISORS FORUM: SHOWING UP FOR DEMOCRACY WITH OUR DOLLARS
A SOCIAL DILEMMA – DO SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES HAVE A PLACE IN A VALUES-BASED PORTFOLIO?
DAY TWO: Building a Society That Prioritizes Racial Equity
In 2020, we learned that racial inequality destabilizes the domestic economy in deep and painful ways. In 2021, we take those lessons and work together to prioritize racial equity by uplifting the leadership of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), by deploying capital to create equity in American society, and by using stock ownership to end corporate practices that undergird racism. Topics included the intersection of police brutality and banking; shareholder engagement and private prisons; special remarks from Grammy-nominated artist, Antonique Smith; and a plenary discussion about hiring BIPOC investment managers.
Related Blogs:
ADVANCING BELONGING AND CREATING WINS FOR BIPOC INVESTMENT MANAGERS
SHIFTING POWER AND PROFITS AWAY FROM PRIVATE PRISONS AND IMMIGRANT DETENTION
A DISCUSSION ON INVESTING IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH A RACIAL EQUITY LENS
OUR DEMOCRACY PREVAILED AGAINST AUTHORITARIANISM, BUT THE THREAT REMAINS
DAY 3: The Climate Solutions Summit
In 2021, the U.S. returns to the COP process with the strong presence of values-aligned investors at the same time that China announces its 14th, five-year climate plan. Institutional investors worldwide are committing to the 1.5 degree pathway and this year’s Climate Solutions Summit meets these major initiatives at the crossroads. How will we show up in Glasgow for COP26? Planning started with spirited discussion about net zero pathways, energy access, climate migration and refugeeism, and innovations in American policy at this year’s Climate Solutions Summit.
Related Blogs:
COLLABORATION IS KEY TO A RESILIENT U.S. ENERGY INNOVATION SYSTEM: GET INVOLVED!
IMPACT-FIRST APPROACHES ARE ESSENTIAL TO ACHIEVING TRUE CLIMATE JUSTICE
WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE PARIS – HOW INVESTORS CAN EMBRACE THE PARIS ACCORD
NET-ZERO: WHAT IS IT AND HOW DO WE GET THERE?
THE OCEAN-CLIMATE NEXUS: A LENS FOR INVESTING
CALL TO ACTION: START LEARNING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CHINA
INVEST IN JUSTICE TO SOLVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS
BRIDGING LEADERSHIP ON THE PATHWAY TO 1.5°C
Not only is the time now, but the responsibility and challenge falls on our shoulders to support and fund the visionaries who will rebuild a more just, inclusive and sustainable economy. There is no shortage of solutions, only a shortage of capital inflows to scale innovation. We must collaborate and challenge one another to do more, and, to do it more ambitiously. The resources are in our hands to be agents of change. For the sake of Life, we must use them.
- Dana Lanza, President & CEO, Confluence Philanthropy
