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The Millennium Speaker Series was founded in August 1999 by Nike,
Portland State University, Portland General Electric, and The Oregon Natural Step Network. Held at Portland State,
the free community lecture series features internationally renowned experts on positive global and sustainable change, and provides a wide range of ideas on how to incorporate this change into lifestyles and business practices. Series' speakers focus on the pursuit of an environmentally sustainable society, and the creation of a dialogue within the community to inspire such change.
The idea for the Millennium Speaker Series came from the launch of Nike's Sustainability Initiative program, which
brought some of the world's leading thinkers on the issues of environmental sustainability and organizational change
to Portland. Widespread interest from other businesses, organizations, and community members led Nike to develop a
community forum to showcase these ideas. Nike garnered support for the project from Portland State University as the
academic host for the lectures, from The Oregon Natural Step Network
as a leading force in Oregon at guiding organizations towards sustainable development, and from Portland General Electric as an exemplary member of the region's sustainable businesses.
Organizations outside of the four partners have also come forward to share their access to speakers with the
Millennium Speaker Series. These include the Green House Network, a Portland non-profit dedicated to raising awareness of
global warming issues that will present The Heat is On author Ross Gelbspan on April 9, 2001; and Norm Thompson,
a Portland-based catalog and retail company that will present the Union of Concerned Scientists' executive director Howard Ris on May 9, 2001.
Sponsors and contributors such as The Business Journal, KXL 750, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Oregon Solutions, and Scott Weeks with Eden-North Design have also established relationships with the partners to help heighten awareness of the mission of the Millennium Speaker Series throughout the community. All associated with this Series are proud of its growth and accomplishments, and will continue to work together to bring leading global thinkers to our community.
Founding Partners
Nike, Inc.
www.nikebiz.com
NIKE, Inc., headquartered in Beaverton, Ore., markets its products in more than 100 countries and is the world's leading authentic sports and fitness company. As a company, Nike cares about its responsibility as a global corporate citizen. The corporate responsibility commitment includes a team focused on labor and environmental compliance, community investment around the world, environmental product stewardship, and engaging with external opinion leaders and critics on stakeholder expectations. Nike's mission for corporate responsibility is "to lead in corporate citizenship through programs that reflect caring for the world family of Nike, our teammates, our consumers, and those who provide services to Nike."
Portland State University
www.pdx.edu
Portland State University, a nationally acclaimed leader in community-based learning, is located along the tree-lined South Park Blocks of downtown Portland. The University's position in the heart of Oregon's economic and cultural center enables PSU students and faculty to apply scholarly theory to the real-world problems of business and community organizations. Portland State offers over 100 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as graduate certificates and continuing education programs. PSU is the state's largest University, conferring more master's degrees annually than any other Oregon university.
Portland General Electric
www.portlandgeneral.com
PGE is the electric utility for Portland metropolitan area, serving more than 1.4 million Oregonians. In July 1997, PGE became a wholly owned subsidiary of Enron Corp., one of the world's largest integrated natural gas and electricity companies. For PGE, doing business in Oregon means more than just delivering reliable power to our customers: PGE has a commitment to improving the quality of life for all Oregonians and exercising responsible stewardship. From educational and environmental programs to crime prevention and energy efficiency efforts, PGE invests expertise, employee volunteer time and foundation dollars in projects that benefit the health, safety and livability of our communities.
The Oregon Natural Step Network
www.ortns.org
The Oregon Natural Step Network supports organizations interested in using The Natural Step framework for sustainability. The Natural Step (TNS) is a framework grounded in natural science that serves as a guide for businesses, communities, educators, government entities, and individuals on the path toward sustainable development. The Natural Step framework encourages dialogue, consensus building, and systems thinking, and creates the conditions for profound change to occur. It does not prescribe or condemn other approaches, but rather introduces and expands on new possibilities. The Natural Step framework has inspired the growth of an international network of non-profit, educational organizations working together to build a sustainable society. As is typical for Oregon movements like this, the Oregon Natural Step Network is a leading organization in this worldwide effort.
Sponsors
The Business Journal
www.portland.bcentral.com/portland/
Oregon Solutions
www.oregonsolutions.net
Launched in early 2001 as a result of the State of Oregon's leadership position in sustainability and Governor Kitzhaber's Executive Order, the Oregon Solutions Network Web site exists to provide strategies for promoting the long-term health of Oregon's environment, economy, and communities. This site, which is supported by the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, provides pertinent information, illustrative examples, and connections to resources needed to protect and enhance the livability of Oregon now and into the future.
750 KXL
www.kxl.com
Founded in 1926, NewsTalk 750 KXL is the news, traffic, and weather station for the Pacific Northwest.
NewsTalk 750 KXL is also home to the most stimulating local and national talk show hosts. Everyday, they're on the air to examine, discuss, and comment on the events of the day and the news that touches our lives.
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