- The Business Humanitarian Forum Association was established in Geneva, Switzerland in 1999 as a non-profit, tax-exempt association under Swiss law, to support the objectives of the Forum.
- A complementary affiliate, BHF USA, was established in Washington DC in 2002 to carry out the same objectives in the United States. BHF USA is also a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.
- … (full text Organization).
Homepage;
Activities; History: Newsletter: sign up in the left column; Documentation; News;
Address: Int. Environment House II, chemin de Balexert 7-9, 1219 Chatelaine (Geneva), Switzerland;
Contact: down in the right column.
About: Our purpose – The BHF seeks to encourage private sector support and public-private sector cooperation for economic and human development in post-conflict areas and poor countries where investment is needed.
We do this by:
- direct participation in public-private investment projects;
- assisting and encouraging local entrepreneurs, particularly women entrepreneurs;
- facilitating contacts and support between potential partners;
- convening contact group meetings, workshops and other forums to advance these objectives;
- conducting public information activities that stimulate similar action.
The Russell-Whitehead Business Humanitarian Award is presented periodically to an outstanding individual or organization that has contributed in a significant way to facilitate private sector efforts to bring sustainable investment, job creation and economic development where they are needed most.
Mr. George Russell and the Honorable John Whitehead are the honorary co-chairs of the Business Humanitarian Forum. Mr. Russell and Mr. Whitehead have had long and highly successful careers in both the private and public sector and have been instrumental in creating this award as well as in guiding the BHF in the achievement of its goals.
The first award was presented in May 2004 to Mr. Rory O’Riordan, President of the European Generic Medicines Association, in honor of his organization’s and his personal efforts to establish a generic medicines production plant in Afghanistan.
The second award was presented in June 2006 to Mr. Farooq Kathwari, President of Ethan Allan Interiors, Inc., in honor of his long involvement in humanitarian affairs such as sponsoring dialogue between Indians and Pakistanis seeking a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
The third award was presented in September 2007 to former UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, by BHF Honorary Co-Chairman George Russell Jr. in honor of Mr. Annan’s years of work to bring the private sector more into alignment with the objectives of humanitarian organizations, especially those within the UN system.