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About Calvert and the Calvert Women's Principles
As one of the nation's largest families of socially responsible mutual funds, Calvert is committed to the idea that investments can make a difference as well as make a profit. Unlike a conventional mutual fund, we evaluate the financial and social performance of the companies we consider for investment.
In 2004, we took our commitment to women to a new level by launching the Calvert Women's Principles, the first global code of corporate conduct to focus exclusively on empowering, advancing, and investing in women worldwide.
Although there are well-established labor and human rights norms and standards affecting women, to date there has been no systematic effort to apply those standards directly and specifically to corporate conduct. The Calvert Women's Principles represent the very first comprehensive attempt to do so.
The Principles offer clear, practical standards that companies can use to set goals and measure their performance and progress on a wide range of gender equality and women's empowerment issues. At the same time, they provide investors with tools that they can use to assess corporate performance on gender equality. Specifically, the Calvert Women's Principles address seven key issues:
At Calvert, we have integrated these Principles into the criteria we use to evaluate potential investments, and we are working to promote the Principles and to urge companies around the world to implement them in their business and supply chain operations.
To learn more about investing with Calvert, please consult your financial advisor.
Calvert believes in the value of investment advice
You're not in this alone.
Planning for retirement may be a complex task, but it's not a task that you should feel you have to take on by yourself. Indeed, like countless investors, you may find a real sense of security in using the services of a good financial advisor.
The financial advisor's role goes well beyond simply helping you to achieve your financial objectives. These days, many financial advisors view their relationship with clients as a partnership aimed at helping them lead fuller, happier lives. This includes financial success, of course. But these advisors understand the importance of asking difficult questions- not simply about the client's retirement plans, but also about the client's hopes, dreams, and aspirations. To be sure, it's important to ask, "When do you want to retire?" or, "How much money will you need?" But it's equally important to ask, "What does money really mean to you?" And, "What kind of world do you want to retire in?"
Rather than impose solutions, a good advisor can explore your concerns and help you make investment choices that will enable you to achieve the dual goals of financial success and personal fulfillment. It isn't a static process. No matter how carefully it has been drafted, a financial plan by definition is always a work in progress. By creating a long-term working partnership with a trusted advisor, you'll be in the best possible position to re-examine and adjust your investment strategy in light of shifting market conditions-and changes in your own life as well. Finding a financial advisor who will understand what you're really about takes some research. You may want to start by asking friends, relatives, and colleagues, as well as your bank or investment firm, for a reference. And by all means, use our Calvert Advisor FinderTM Service. It's a simple and convenient way to find investment professionals in your area who are knowledgeable about Calvert funds and will be as sensitive to your personal values and aspirations as they are to your financial goals.
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