About the prize
In late 2003, Alcan adopted sustainability as the focus for its community investment supporting initiatives and projects that align with its commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability. The US$1M Alcan Prize for Sustainability was created as a flagship project within the overall community investment programme to showcase outstanding contributions to sustainability by not-for-profit, non-governmental and civil society organisations. IBLF was selected as the managing partners for the Prize for Sustainability to ensure objectivity and impartiality.
In 2007, Rio Tinto acquired Alcan and in doing so, adopted the US$1M Prize for Sustainability. The Prize is designed to recognise the importance of all sectors of society in working together to contribute towards society's sustainable development. The Rio Tinto Prize for Sustainability, as it will be known from 1 January 2009, will complement Rio Tinto's existing engagement programmes and initiatives during its nine-year life (2004-2013).
The International Business Leaders Forum [IBLF], on behalf of Rio Tinto, is conducting research relating to the Rio Tinto Prize for Sustainability as part of the Reflection Period that is taking place from 1 July 2009 until 31 December 2010.
The overall purpose of this research project is to understand the effectiveness of the Prize for Sustainability as a tool for engagement around Sustainable Development. It will explore the business case for the Prize and subsequently assist Rio Tinto and IBLF in making decisions about the Prize's future.
The interview is part of an overall research plan which includes:
• desktop review
• brainstorming meeting with the 2008 shortlist and Rio Tinto
• site visits with previous winners [2004-2008]
• online surveys with the wider Prize community
• one-to-one interviews
No Prizes will be awarded during the Reflection Period.
