What’s New: In Brief (May 20, 2009)

The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction has been accepted as an advisory institution into the working group of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).
UNEP FI is a global partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the financial sector. More than 170 institutions, including banks, insurers and fund managers, work with UNEP to understand the impact of environmental and social considerations on financial performance.
The UNEP FI Insurance Working Group (IWG) established an academic working group in 2008. The mandate of the academic working group is to provide a research foundation for the development of “Principles for Sustainable Insurance” and support to a global network of insurers proactively addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.
The UNEP FI IWG is an alliance of insurers and reinsurers committed to integrating ESG factors into their core business strategies and operations to enhance long-term company value.

A committee of industry volunteers is organizing an event to raise funds for a cutting-edge cancer treatment to be provided to a well-known member of the insurance industry.
Siobhan Usher-Post, a non-smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2008, when she was five months pregnant with twin boys.
The new mom has been in the insurance field for nearly 20 years. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiology and will begin a pioneering chemical treatment at a cost of Cdn$3,000 a month.
To help offset the costs, a fundraiser will be held on June 23, from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at the Steam Whistle Brewery.
Tickets are $60 and sponsorship packages are available.
Those interested in sponsorship or donation are asked to contact Carolyn Shaw at Carolyn@nationalbrokers.com or 905-564-8488 x231.