Forum staff share lessons learned to benefit organizations that participate in the Forum’s initiatives, or do similar work. This section includes Forum's Lessons Learned series, as well as IFC SmartLessons.
Lessons Learned series CD. The Forum’s Lessons Learned series are now available on CDs. It includes 12 Lessons Learned publications from October, 2007 to December, 2009. To request the CD copies, please email to cgsecretariat@ifc.org
Institutes Share Successes and Challenges in Training Board Directors to Lead Corporate Governance Reforms. June 2010
Too often, board directors have the business acumen but lack a deep comprehension of corporate governance or the leadership skills required to reform policies, practices, and behaviors that can undermine a company’s performance. To remedy the challenge, the Forum developed Corporate Governance Board Leadership Training Resources for Institutes of Directors (IoDs) and others that train board directors.
Forum to Expand Global Leadership in New Phase of Initiatives. May 2010
The Forum’s successes are generating ever-increasing demands to help developing countries and emerging markets deepen their corporate governance capacity. To meet these needs, an independent evaluation report supports the Forum’s plans to strengthen its global “knowledge management platform,” building on the “lessons learned” from the Forum’s targeted, practical initiatives.
The Pen Is Mightier than the Sword — if Properly Aimed. SmartLesson, March 2010
In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, educating the press on corporate governance issues is key to creating local demand for better practices in the region.
Improving Banks' Corporate Governance Practices in Southeast Europe, February 2010
The financial crisis has severely affected the economic growth in Southeast Europe. Shortcomings in bank corporate governance can destabilize the financial system and create systemic risks to the economy. To promote a sustainable recovery for the region, the Forum, EBRD and IFC have worked together to help financial institutions and regulators adopt best practices for conducting business.
Learn Before You Lead: The Corporate Governance Board Leadership Training Resources Kit. SmartLesson, January 2010
The Forum developed the Training Resources Kit to strengthen the skills of corporate governance trainers, who, in turn, would work directly with company directors and members of governing bodies.
Thomson Reuters Foundation and Forum Train Journalists to Report on Corporate Governance Issues, December 2009
The partners jointly developed and now run a unique program to help journalists strengthen their reporting about issues related to corporate governance. The article discusses the Forum's experience in running the program and maintaining a global network of journalists to provide them continuous support after the training workshops.
Partnerships in India Leverage Strengths For Success, October 2009
Local business' commitment and securities regulator's support can provide a strong foundation for India to move forward with corporate governance.The article explains how the Forum has been forging the partnerships in India for local institutions to leverage their resources to build capacity, broaden awareness, and achieve progress in gaining broad acceptance by businesses for corporate governance best practices.
How Bangladesh Is Making Progress: Corporate Governance Effort Is Central to Sustainable Development, August 2009
The article demonstrates how the Forum helps Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) standardize and localize training programs, leverage global expertise, and advocate its programs among different shareholders, including regulators and private sector companies. The personal development story of BEI's Lopa Rahman also provides many practical lessons to other developing countries.
For the Public Good: Pro Bono Work of Private Sector Advisors Advances Corporate Governance Initiatives, April 2009
To advance corporate governance in emerging markets and developing countries, the Forum mobilizes its extensive network of business leaders, the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG). Its members have donated their time to countries by providing expertise, conducting peer views, monitoring and evaluating performance of various CG initiatives. The value of PSAG members’ pro bono work exceeds an estimated one-million US dollars for fiscal 2009.
Sharing Experience on Developing Corporate Governance Codes, February 2009
To increase the number of experts who can help countries develop and improve their corporate governance codes, the Forum organized a workshop on "Supporting the Development of Corporate Governance of Best Practice." The paper includes lessons learned in codes development from South Africa and Egypt. This was the first in a workshop series organized by the Forum on this subject.
Walking the talk”: How the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance Succeeds, December 2008
The paper discusses how the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC) set up its own governance structure, gained credibility in the business community, and achieved long term sustainability. It also describes some of challenges in the development of the Institute. This publication is also available in Portuguese and Chinese.
Improving Market Enforcement, Preventing Fraud in South East Europe, October 2008
As capital markets in South East Europe (SEE) grow rapidly, supervisory authorities must be able to appropriately identify and halt fraud, market manipulation, and insider trading. The paper discusses the first regional workshop for strengthening the capacity of regulators to enforce regulations and prevent fraud. It covered topics such as effective preventions; steps to achieve efficient surveillance; investigatory powers and techniques to press market manipulation cases; administrative vs. criminal proceedings; action planning: identifying enforcement challenges, defining solutions; and cross-border transactions.
Implementing Corporate Governance Codes in MENA, August 2008
The Forum saw a tremendous opportunity in 2006 to be a catalyst in fostering national codes of corporate governance in MENA. These codes are essential tools for enhancing corporate governance practices at the national and corporate levels, and reconciling international standards and local practices. To help developing countries and transition economies with this task, the Forum produced a toolkit on crafting, developing, and implementing corporate governance codes. It then partnered with IFC's Private Enterprise Partnership for the Middle East and North Africay (PEP- MENA) to pursue a region-wide strategy that would foster ownership of the code development process within each participating country.
Corporate Governance Leadership Program: Assessment Stimulates Program Thrust, April 2008
Based on global best practices, the Forum devised Leadership programs for corporate governance trainers that in turn help board directors' enhance their competencies and skills. A special Corporate Governance Board Leadership Training Resources toolkit was produced, and training presentations, case studies, teaching guides, and audio/visual CD-ROMs have been developed to fulfill the overwhelming demand for more regional and country-specific activities and curriculum.
Bulgaria Launches Corporate Governance Code, February 2008
On the brink of Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union, a task force comprised of private and public experts was set up to develop a national Corporate Governance Code. The Forum had previously published a Corporate Governance Reform Toolkit to help countries develop and implement such codes. “Building on the global expertise we complied in this toolkit, we provided the Bulgarian team with best practices and technical advice,” said Maria-Laurence guy, a senior projects officer with the Forum. Best practice codes are much more flexible than laws and should be reviewed and updated regularly to address issues unforeseen during the drafting process and to remain relevant. Bulgaria’s financial Supervision Commission (FSC) has, therefore, asked that the task force remain as a Standing Corporate Governance Commission to monitor progress and update the cold’s content in 18 months so that it reflects changes in corporate practice and legislation.
Panama’s Experience Shows Importance in Defining Objectives, Attracting Committed Supporters, Exerting Leadership, December 2007
In April 2007, 15 business leaders formed the Institute of Corporate Governance-Panama thanks to the Forum’s counsel and support. After many deliberations, the Institute defined its mission and objectives. “This process helped us to formalize how the Institute’s leadership would work together and make decisions. ” said Milton Chambonett, an Institute founding director and founder of Chambonett & Asociados, an accounting firm. The founders have been using the Forum’s toolkit for Institutes of Directors for assistance in making key decisions. “As we go through the steps, we find the toolkit’s ‘tips’ to be invaluable,” said Julieta Rodriguez Molina, the Institute’s founding secretary and an associate attorney at Galindo, Arias and Lopez.
Launching an Institute of Directors in Mozambique: Business Leaders Drive effort to Advance Good Governance, October 2007
Mozambique needs to attract investors to realize the opportunities emerging in the global economy. That need for capital drove the country’s business leaders to seek to improve their boards. To achieve this goal, Benjamim Pequenino, CEO, Governance Development Institute of Mozambique (GDI) and Mondlane spearheaded the establishment of a founders committee, composed of prominent leaders in the country’s private sector. As the committee broadened and strengthened support for corporate governance within the business community and government, its members developed and executed a business plan, with assistance from local management consultants, the IFC Private Enterprise Partnership for Africa, and the Forum. “The Forum toolkit for Institutes of Directors was our roadmap, laying out the steps we needed to follow for our institute’s launch and ongoing administration,” said Pequenino. “Having the support and counsel of the IFC enabled us to learn from the experiences of others-----the mistakes and the successes.” As a result, the institutes’s first workshop in June 2007 drew more than 250 members of the business community.
Forum to Expand Global Leadership in New Phase of Initiatives
