American University of Sharjah (AUS) hosted the first United Nation Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Business for Peace Forum 2016, today, October 26. The event is being held as part of the UN Global Compact Making Global Goals Local Business week.

Organized by the PRME Working Group on Business for Peace, the forum brings together academics, practitioners, civil society, international organizations, and NGOs to discuss cutting-edge academic research on the role of business in advancing peace while highlighting areas for further research.

The objective of this year's forum is to highlight cutting edge academic research and practical experience on the peace building potential of private sector actions and due diligence mechanisms. It also aims to explore innovative multi-stakeholder partnership opportunities for peace, and inspire and expand the practice of the Business for Peace community to include academic and research-practitioner thought leaders.

"Peace is the core social issue of our region, and the private sector is often best positioned to address it," said Dr. Björn Kjerfve, AUS Chancellor, addressing the gathering. "American University of Sharjah is at the center of the academic-practitioner-student nexus necessary to produce impactful research and promote that research among leaders and future leaders. As such, we are honored to sponsor and host the United Nations PRME Business for Peace Forum 2016," he added.

Dr. Jorg Bley, Interim Dean of School of Business Administration (SBA), also addressed the delegates at the opening. "At the School level, this forum reflects our continued thought leadership and engagement with the business community on the role of the private sector in promoting sustainable peace. We educate the future leaders of the UAE and the region. Business and peace is now a part of our mandatory Business Ethics and Social Responsibility course, meaning that every one of our nearly 1,800 students will be learning about the ways the private sector can enhance peace before they graduate," said Dr. Jorg.

The forum includes a number of panel discussions, sessions and an open forum that involves students from the university's senior seminar on Business and Peace.