Close the Gap's strategic partner Arrow Value Recovery, opened the doors of its Belgian facility based in Mechelen. The afternoon started with a small keynote from Sabine Denis, Co-Executive Office of The Shift, a sustainability network (formerly Business & Society and Kauri) on CSR as a shared value.

"The partnership between Close the Gap and Arrow Value Recovery is a prime examples of CSR 2.0, driving shared value through cross-sector partnerships." - Sabine Denis, Co-Executive Officer, The Shift

Attendees also received a high level introduction to the newly approved United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and learned more about the role of ICT in the achievement of the SDGs by 2030. A particular focus was given to mobile devices in Africa and their benefits.

"The integration of information and communication technologies is vital to the achievement of the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. Not only are ICTs a platform which integrate and accelerate all three pillars of sustainable development - economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability - but they provide an innovative and effective Means of Implementation in today’s inter-connected world." - Mr. Gary Fowlie, Head of the ITU Liaison Office to the United Nations, NY

With a renewed focus on data-protection, Arrow's resident expert Mr. Edwin Koolwijk opened a discussion on the importance data protection has for businesses, particularly on mobile devices. Participants then had the opportunity to see the refurbishment and data sanitation processes at Arrow Value Recovery with their own eyes.

Couldn't make it to our Friends Of Belgium? Please join us in the Netherlands on November 25th. Given the interest in the topics of this event, Close the Gap, together with MVO Nederland and Arrow Value Recovery, would like to welcome you on November 25 in Culemburg, Netherlands. For more information, please contact us at communications@close-the-gap.org.