Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt-Founder of The Natural Step and Ashoka Fellow-on Speaking Tour in Canada

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt, the Founder of The Natural Step and an internationally recognized thought leader on sustainable development, is coming from Sweden for an exclusive speaking tour in Canada. He will be in London and Oakville on October 18, and in Toronto from October 19-21.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to obtain a feature interview with Dr. Robèrt for print, television, radio, or online media. Event details and contact information for media inquiries can be found below.

"Sustainability is the greatest challenge facing our planet, our society, and our economy—but it also presents extraordinary opportunities for innovation," says Dr. Robèrt. "Addressing sustainability requires strong leadership and unprecedented collaboration across all sectors."

Dr. Robèrt will bring this message to diverse audiences, including an exclusive meeting of CEOs from some of Canada's largest companies. He will challenge Canadian business leaders to understand the sustainability imperative and embrace the opportunities it presents; to use sustainability to drive innovation in their companies; and to be leaders in transitioning the Canadian economy toward sustainability.

Other audiences that Dr. Robèrt will address during his tour include healthcare practitioners, academics, manufacturers, financial professionals, as well as students and youth.

A cancer doctor by training, Dr. Robèrt founded The Natural Step in 1989 to promote a unifying framework for social and ecological sustainability based on a scientific consensus. He has successfully nurtured what began as a grassroots effort in Sweden—a country recognized globally as a sustainability leader—into a global movement that has engaged thousands of people in hundreds of organizations worldwide.

An Ashoka Fellow and winner of many prestigious awards—including the Green Cross Award for International Leadership and the Blue Planet Prize—Dr. Robèrt has made a global impact in promoting and implementing sustainability. The author of several books and dozens of scientific articles, he is a world-class speaker, teacher, scientist, social entrepreneur, and leading thinker on the root causes of the global sustainability challenges we face today.

Dr. Robèrt is also a co-founder of Real Change, a unique research program that is supporting the conversation between business, community, and academic leaders to ensure that there is a strong connection between sustainability research and the practise of sustainability on the ground.

Speaking Tour Details:

• Keynote presentation at EcoCare 2010
  Sustainability and Health Care: The Connection Between The Natural Step Framework and Health from a Systems Perspective
  (October 18, 2010, 8:45am - London Convention Centre, 300 York Street, London, ON)
   
• Special public presentation—Hosted by Sheridan College
  Leading Change: The Role of Applied Colleges in Sustainable Development
  (October 18, 2010, 2:00pm - Macdonald Heaslip Hall, Theatre Sheridan, 1430 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON)
   
• Business Seminar Series keynote presentation—Hosted by RBC
  When Sustainability Meets Finance: How Finance Professionals can Facilitate Sustainable Change in Their Organizations
  (October 19, 2010, 9:00am - Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Ontario Room, 100 Front Street West, Toronto, ON)
   
• Student Leadership Forum—Hosted by Toronto French School
  Student Dialogue on Leadership for a More Sustainable World, with special guest Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed
  (October 19, 2010, 4:00pm - Toronto French School, 306 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, ON)
   
• Special reception—Hosted by Toronto French School
  Leadership for a More Sustainable World, with special guest Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed
  (October 19, 2010, 6:00pm - Toronto French School, 306 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, ON)
   
• Leadership Café for Emerging Leaders—Hosted by AIESEC Canada and Corporate Knights
  Strategic Sustainability for Young People
  (October 20, 2010, 8:30am - Friends' Meeting House, 60 Lowther Avenue, Toronto, ON)
   
• Fireside Chat—Hosted by InterfaceFLOR
  Healthy Planet, Healthy Business: A "Natural Step" in the Right Direction
  (October 20, 2010, 11:30am - InterfaceFLOR Toronto Showroom, 543 Richmond Street West, Suite 101, Toronto, ON)
   
• Guest presentation at 8th Annual Canadian Business for Social Responsibility CEO Roundtable
  Collaboration as a Driver of Sustainable Change
  (October 20, 2010, 3:00pm - Ontario Investment and Trade Centre, 250 Yonge Street, 35th Floor, Toronto, ON)
   
• Keynote presentation at 8th Annual Canadian Business for Social Responsibility Summit
  Finding Common Ground: How Collaboration Can Bring Profound and Positive Change
  (October 21, 2010, 12:30pm - Le Meridien King Edward Hotel, 37 King Street East, Toronto, ON)

About Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt:

Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt is an internationally recognized thought leader on sustainable development. A doctor and oncologist by training, Dr. Robèrt founded The Natural Step in 1989 to promote a unifying framework for social and ecological sustainability based on a scientific consensus. The author of several books and dozens of scientific articles, Dr. Robèrt is a world-class speaker, teacher, scientist, social entrepreneur, and leading thinker on the root causes of the global sustainability challenges we face today. For his complete bio, please visit: www.thenaturalstep.org/karl-henrik-robert-bio.pdf.

About The Natural Step Canada:

The Natural Step Canada is a dynamic non-profit organization with over a decade of experience helping organizations and individuals understand and make meaningful progress toward sustainability. We envision a sustainable world in which individuals, communities, and businesses thrive within nature's limits. And we strive to inspire, educate, and connect Canadian leaders to accelerate the transformation toward a sustainable world. We accomplish this through award-winning learning programs; our unique suite of advisory, coaching, and process facilitation services; and a variety of charitable projects, including several for student leaders. For more information, please visit: www.thenaturalstep.org/canada-backgrounder.pdf.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Joshua Snider
Communications Manager
613-748-3001 x230
jsnider@naturalstep.ca