Brussels, 15/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - On the initiative of Commissioners Anna Diamantopoulou and Erkki Liikanen, the Commission is launching its first Forum of Corporate Social Responsibility, on 16 October. This initiative, that brings together 20 European representatives from the world of business, trade unions and civil society organisations, will examine how to contribute in the spread of good practices in the field. It thus aims to promote innovation, convergence and transparency in existing practices and instruments regarding social responsibility (labels, for example). Chaired by the Commission, it will provide a framework for debates on "business ethics in the social, economic and environmental sectors". By the summer of 2004, it should present a report to the Commission which will assess the results. This Forum is the centrepiece of the strategy set up by the Commission to promote corporate social responsibility in the search for sustainable development (see EUROPE of 28 June, p.12 and 4 July, p.13).