We live in a society in constant transformation, but even so, historical cycles repeat themselves, reproducing the same results, following different paths.  In the process of industrialization and development of markets, it is no different. Major advances, crises, economic and political models and human needs are all undergoing constant re-discover, meeting humanity’s insatiable desire for evolution.

As in ancient Greece, chaos led to ethical thought and influenced humanity in the discovery of values – today, the chaos of economic development is causing an ethical re-thinking, which is influencing the construction of new systems of governance.  This governance is created as a response to institutional maladjustment, but also to human needs to build ethical values.

Corporate governance thus arises to lend credibility to the capitalist model itself. This model must generate equality, solve conflicts and promote sustainability.  Corporate governance appears as the form of transparent management that favors accountability, the guarantee of respect for the rights earned by different cultures and social and environmental responsibility.  The risks to be faced are no longer exclusively economic, but also social, environmental and cultural.

For a long time, it has been said that it’s not possible to obtain different results by doing the same things.  More than this, we can say that it’s not possible to achieve the necessary changes without a profound rupture with current standards of behavior and management.  It is not a question of breaking the rules, but rather of playing in a different way, a way that is responsible, creative, innovative and ethical.

The best way to bring these issues to the table is through group reflection. For almost a decade, the Open Seminar in Minas Gerais – Corporate Social Responsibility – has contributed to the discussion of issues like social responsibility, sector relations, ethics and sustainability.  In 2009, as a result of the emergence and importance of the moment, in order to evaluate the causes and consequences, and to propose solutions, the event will focus principally on the challenges and opportunities of sustainability, governance and innovation.