The Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable International Investment (VCC), a joint center of Columbia Law School and the Earth Institute at Columbia University, is the only applied research center and forum dedicated to the study, practice and discussion of sustainable international investment. Sustainable international investment (SII) is investment that maximizes economic, social and environmental benefits and minimizes risks for all stakeholders. The VCC’s work is based on the premise that SII is in the mutual interest and is the shared responsibility of investors, governments, and other stakeholders.
MISSION :
Our mission is to develop and disseminate practical approaches and solutions to maximize the impact of international investment for sustainable development.
OUR WORK:
The VCC focuses on analyzing important topical policy-oriented issues and constructing and implementing an investment framework that promotes sustainable development and the mutual trust needed for long-term investments that can be practically adopted by governments, companies and civil society. The Center undertakes its mission through interdisciplinary research, advisory projects, multi-stakeholder dialogue, educational programs, and the development of resources and tools.
The VCC leverages expertise from and shares knowledge with a vast network of policy makers, development advocates, scholars, business leaders and impacted communities committed to maximizing the benefits and minimizing the costs of investment for sustainable development. The VCC also regularly collaborates with other Earth Institute centers and faculty, as well as institutions worldwide, integrating our expertise in law, economics and investment with diverse fields of sustainable development.
BACKGROUND:
The VCC, formerly the Columbia Program on International Investment (CPII), was established in 2008, thanks to a generous grant from Vale, the world’s second largest diversified mining company.
The VCC is an independent non-profit, academic center. Accordingly, in all engagements with outside entities, we maintain our independence and academic integrity as a neutral platform for advanced academic and applied research. As a forum for multi-stakeholder and inter-disciplinary discussion, the VCC preserves an open environment for debate, and supports the freedom of ideas and the public accessibility of research results.