Online Course on the Fundamentals of SRI Launched by US SIF Foundation
April 9, 2013 // WASHINGTON, DC: Today, the US SIF Foundation launched the Center for Sustainable Investment Education and the Center’s inaugural online course, Fundamentals of Sustainable and Responsible Investment. This is the first online course on sustainable investment for financial advisors and other investment professionals to be launched in the United States.
Fundamentals of Sustainable and Responsible Investment, developed by experts in the field, provides a unique blend of instruction and scenario learning that explains how to talk about SRI with clients, incorporate SRI into investment portfolios and understand the latest trends and research. Paul Hilton, Portfolio Manager at Trillium Asset Management and Vice-Chair of the Board of US SIF and the US SIF Foundation noted that, “There has never been a more important time to help train financial intermediaries to handle the increased demand for SRI from both retail and institutional investors.”
Upon completion, course takers will receive a certificate and have better understanding of this rapidly growing industry. Fundamentals of Sustainable and Responsible Investment is accepted by the CFP® Board for 3 CE credits, and the CFA Institute has also approved this program, offered by the US SIF Foundation, for 3 CE credit hours. On May 21, immediately before the US SIF national conference, a live version of the course will be presented in Chicago. More information on the online and live versions of the course is available here. Bloomberg and Morgan Stanley are lead supporters of Fundamentals of Sustainable and Responsible Investment.
The Center for Sustainable Investment Education was created to serve the growing need of investment professionals to gain expertise in the field of sustainable and responsible investment. The Center is easily accessible on the US SIF website and provides investors, investment advisors, consultants, analysts and other investment professionals with access to high quality education, research and thought leadership on sustainable investment.
In addition to the course, resources available at the Center for Sustainable Investment Education include:
· Fact sheets on the basics of sustainable and responsible investment
· A wide breadth of high quality research including US SIF Foundation’s biennial Report on Sustainable and Responsible Investing Trends in the United States
· Information on community investing for retail and accredited investors
· Thematic handbooks on how to invest to make impact on individual issue areas—How Do I SRI?
US SIF and US SIF Foundation CEO Lisa Woll said, “We are delighted to launch the Center for Sustainable Investment Education and Fundamentals of Sustainable and Responsible Investment—both of them game changers for the field of sustainable and responsible investment. Research and practical experience tells us that many financial professionals want to know more about sustainable, impact and mission investing, but do not have the tools at their disposal to obtain this expertise. The Center is an easily accessible resource and Fundamentals of Sustainable and Responsible Investment is the first of what will ultimately be a series of online courses covering basic and specialized topics on investing for financial performance as well as social and environmental impact. “
Hilary Irby, Executive Director and Head of the Morgan Stanley Investing with Impact Initiative said, “We are pleased to support the work US SIF is doing to build the field of sustainable and responsible investing. With increased interest in investment strategies that consider environmental, social and governance issues and opportunities, many financial professionals see this as an opportunity to grow their business. The Center for Sustainable Investment Education can be an effective tool in helping financial professionals better understand market opportunities.”
“Mainstreaming sustainable investing is essentially an educational challenge,” said Curtis Ravenel, Global Head of Sustainability at Bloomberg. “US SIF’s programs help financial professionals apply principles of sustainability – long term value creation – in investing. We believe that this course will provide real value and insight for them as they navigate the increasingly complex issues impacting investment decisions.”
The launch of Fundamentals of Sustainable and Responsible Investment and the Center for Sustainable Investment Education coincides with the unveiling of a new website for US SIF and the US SIF Foundation. The website includes a new Separate Account Managers Chart which will enable institutional asset owners, family offices, high net worth individuals and advisors and consultants to locate US SIF member separate account managers with expertise in sustainable and responsible investment.
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This release was originally published by The US SIF Foundation which is solely responsible for its content.
The US SIF Foundation is a 501c3 organization that undertakes educational, research and programmatic activities to advance the mission of US SIF. The Center for Sustainable Investment Education is an initiative of the US SIF Foundation.
US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment is the US membership association for professionals, firms, institutions and organizations engaged in sustainable and responsible investing. US SIF and its members advance investment practices that consider environmental, social and corporate governance criteria to generate long-term competitive financial returns and positive societal impact. US SIF’s members include investment management and advisory firms, mutual fund companies, research firms, financial planners and advisors, broker-dealers, banks, credit unions, community development organizations, non-profit associations, and pension funds, foundations and other asset owners.
