Back at Stanford, Hong Kong-schooled Hau Lee, a supply-chain expert will head the SEED effort.

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"We are providing a platform for business leaders and others concerned with the environment and corporate social responsibility to work together toward the common goal of ensuring the availability of natural resources, supporting social reforms, and at the same time securing the efficient delivery of supplies, " said Hau Lee, co-director of the Stanford Global Supply Chain Management Forum.

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