The Estonian chapter of Transparency International (Korruptsioonivaba Eesti) organises Baltic-Nordic conference on business ethics in Tallinn called "Promoting Business Ethics: Baltic Challenges, Nordic Experience". The conference will take place in the Estonian capital on April 8, 2008 at the Olümpia Conference Centre (Liivalaia 33) from 9.30 to 17. The conference is aimed at entrepreneurs, trade associations, politicians and officials based in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Finland. The aim of the conference is to discuss the state of affairs with implementing good business practices in the region. What obstacles are there on the way to doing business in a corruption-free way? What role does a code of business ethics play in shaping the business climate? What are the standards and practices in the Baltic and Nordic countries? The working language of the conference is English. There is no attendance fee. Please notify of your attendance by April 2 by e-mail: info@transparency.ee, or by telephone +372 684 4074; or +372 53 909 601 Conference Programme Baltic-Nordic Conference on Business Ethics “Promoting Business Ethics: Baltic Challenges, Nordic Experience” Tallinn, Estonia, April 8, 2008 Chief organiser: Transparency International’s (TI) Estonian chapter Korruptsioonivaba Eesti, with TI partners Participants: Representatives of business corporations, Transparency International national chapters, politicians, officials, journalists. Arrival of foreign participants the night before opening of the Conference (April 7, 2008). All participants are welcome at a reception hosted by Ministry of Justice of Estonia on April 7 at 19.00. The reception will take place at the Justice Ministry at Tõnismägi 5a, off Vabaduse Square. The reception will be addressed by Siim Raie, General Director of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Conference programme on April 8, 2008 At Hotel Olümpia Conference Centre, Liivalaia 33, Tallinn OPENING SESSION 9.30 Opening. Tarmu Tammerk, Chairman of the Board of Transparency International’s Estonia chapter 9.40 Keynote address by Rein Lang, Justice Minister of Estonia. 10.10-10.30 Understanding the corporate moral development in the context of rapid and radical Changes. The case of Estonia that can be applied to countries in transition.Mari Kooskora, head of the Ethics Centre at the Estonian Business School 10.30-11.00 Coffee break SESSION 1 11.00-12.30 Presentations by researchers or business leaders on experience from respective countries. Moderator: Sergej Muravjov, programme director of Transparency International’s (TI) Lithuania chapter *The tool-kit of Transparency International in fighting corruption in the business sector: Business Principles in Counting Bribery. A glimpse into the Hydro experience. Arvid Halvorsen, board member of TI Norway *How TI Finland has influenced the development of a cleaner business environment in Finland. Juha Pietarinen, TI Finland and Chief Risk Officer of Kesko Corporation *The ways of fighting corruption in the business sector in Latvia. Agris Varpinsh, board member of TI Latvia *Implementing the code of ethics of StatoilHydro Estonia. Helle Kirs-Toiger, Managing Director of Statoil Estonia 12.30-13.30 Lunch SESSION 2 13.30-15.00 Moderator: Agris Varpinsh, TI Latvia *The possibility and need of business ethics codes in small and medium-size enterprises. Ain Kabal, Estonian Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (EVEA), vice president *Business ethics and anti-corruption practices in Lithuania: realities and initiatives . Sergej Muravjov, TI Lithuania, programme director *The privatisation process of Estonian Railways. Väino Sarnet, General Director, Estonian Pricatization Agency (1993-1999); adviser during the railway privatisation process. 15.00-15.30 Coffee break SESSION 3 Moderator: Gro Skaaren-Fystro, TI Norway 15.30-16.45 Panel discussion: The impact of the code of business ethics on a cleaner environment of business activity in the Nordic-Baltic region. The way forward.Speakers from sessions 1 and 2, and other participants. 16.45-17 Closing of the Conference. Tarmu Tammerk, chairman of the board of TI Estonia About TI-Estonia: TI-Estonia was founded in 2000. In 2007, the organisation was turned into a separate NGO. Its aim is to promote awareness of corruption. TI-Estonia acts as the local chapter of the international anti-corruption organisation Transparency International. The activity of TI-Estonia is supported by the Open Estonia Foundation. The conference is co-funded by Pittsburgh-based Railroad Development Corporation (RDC) to support the anti-corruption movement in Estonia. RDC’s donation was facilitated through the cooperation of Washington-based charitable organization Counterpart International.
