Business leaders who want to fight global poverty may be forgiven for feeling a little choice anxiety. A few hours research reveals a dizzying menu of projects and partnerships all vying for their time, expertise and money; and a host of development experts with often contradictory ideas on the best way to help.

But, according to Jeffrey Sachs, the Columbia University economist who headed the United Nations’ flagship study on achieving the Millennium Development Goals, help is at hand. Together with a core group of corporate leaders and celebrities (more details to come), he is launching [launch date Sept 12]a campaign called Millennium Promise: to provide a clear framework for businesses who want to do something, but are not quite sure how to do it.