Monday, October 10, 2011

Ini Onuk joins World Entrepreneurship Forum

Ini Onuk, Lead Consultant/CEO of ThistlePraxis Consulting Limited was recently invited to join the Think-tank for the 2011 4th World Entrepreneurship Forum scheduled to hold in Singapore, attracting over 150 members from 70 different countries. The World Entrepreneurship Forum is a by-invitation only entrepreneurial community where members are selected worldwide by a dedicated committee based on their entrepreneurial achievements and their commitment to society.

In a letter to Ms. Onuk, the Co-President of the World Entrepreneurship Forum and President of the Emlyon Business School, Patrick Molle; ‘…this invitation was informed by your international recognition, current responsibility and interest in entrepreneurship as a driver of economic development.’

The 4th edition of the Forum is scheduled to hold in November 2011 in Singapore with a special theme: ‘Entrepreneurship – a driver for innovation and technology’.
At this event, founders of companies and NGOs, elected politicians, experts and academics in the field of entrepreneurship, will all share the Forum’s values and support the cause of entrepreneurship whilst bringing their expertise to create a more entrepreneurial world. The World Entrepreneurship Forum, the 4th in series; is recognised globally as the leading global think-tank dedicated to entrepreneurs as creators of wealth and social justice.

Prior to the set up and her engagement at ThistlePraxis Consulting, Onuk recently served as Executive Secretary, Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ) and Executive Director, Defence for Children International (DCI). A 2008 Draper Hills Fellow on Democracy and Development at Stanford University California and an alumna of the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program, Ini holds a degree in International Relations & Diplomacy and a Masters degree in Management. A facilitator/management trainer, she is also an international consultant on Gender, Peace-building, Peace and Security & Governance.

A multi-talented team player, management consultant, researcher, lecturer and trainer, Ini still consults on issues of business development, corporate governance, organizational development, leadership, mentoring, corporate social responsibility and serves as a Volunteer Trainer with Fate Foundation. Owing to her well-rounded experiences, Ini sits on Boards of various organizations and currently serves as the Vice Chairperson, Jury Board, Social Enterprise and Reporting Awards, SERAs.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

THISTLEPRAXIS CONSULTING TO ORGANISE CSR TRAINING FOR JOURNALISTS

ThistlePraxis Consulting, a CSR Strategy and Assessments firm, is organizing a foremost continent-wide initiative aimed at building and strengthening human capacity for the Nigerian and African media industry on Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability reporting in Africa. The organizers say they are committed to identifying and fostering these series of trainings with other willing partners and corporate funders as well as other regional bodies.

Forbes CSR Blogger and award-winning journalist, Aman Singh, will lead the team of facilitators for a continental development initiative aimed at building and strengthening human capacity development for the African media on Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability reporting in Africa tagged, ‘Effective CSR Reporting for Media Professionals’. Other facilitators include: Ken Egbas, Managing Partner, TruContact PR (organizers of SERAs/Nigeria CSR Awards); Ini Onuk, Lead Consultant/CEO, ThistlePraxis Consulting, Nigeria (organizers of the training); and Mumo Kivuitu, Executive Director, Ufhadili Trust in Kenya.

The purpose of the training is threefold: (i) to provide background information for accurate and effective media reporting of CSR activities, policies and strategies of businesses, operating within the African continent. This enables the media professionals to gain exposure to different dimensions and aspects of the practice that are beyond the scope of their communities or countries. (Ii) the initiative also seeks to enrich the educational and local experiences of reporting on CSR and other business issues through robust trainings and practical case studies in the field drawn from local and international organizations in Africa (iii) and finally, to make available to Africa (in the long term) well rounded and seasoned media professionals with a better and clearer understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability as well as the motivation and ability to be advocates of the continent, acting as watchdogs for corporate institutions whilst contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of the profession within Africa.

Although the training will be residential, participants are expected to commit three (3) work days to attending after successful selection through a rigorous process. In addition, they are expected to also work in close contact with ThistlePraxis Consulting for six (6) weeks after the training in order to have their work and articles reviewed for content and technical compliance.

Interested media professionals are requested to send in their applications by e-mails to trainings@thistlepraxisconsulting.com on or before October 21, 2011. Organizations may nominate not more than two (2) employees in each category: Print, Electronic and Digital and this must be accompanied by documentary evidence of eligibility: Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae; Letter of confirmation from the Editor or Editor–in-Chief or Chief Executive Officer. Other requirements include a proof of Educational Qualifications and a 150-word essay in outlining the applicant’s motivation for participating in the training.

In addition, applicants must be fluent in English Language and must be able to pay airfares as well as foot transport arrangements to Lagos, Nigeria. Only selected candidates will be contacted.