'But first, it is important to get companies and other organizations into the SR tent and give them a common point of departure. And that’s one of the things that ISO 26000 is particularly well positioned to do.' (http://www.enewsbuilder.net/globalcompact/e_article001076768... )

'A representative from one such Christian transnational humanitarian organization says they use human rights language because it is “salient” and provides a common point of departure for working with non-Christian, and especially secular, organizations.' (http://religionfactor.net/2012/09/12/religious-humanitariani... )

'It should therefore be reemphasized that the term ‘‘inherent powers” does not start out from the common point of departure that an IGO has only such powers as follow from its constitution.' (http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mKk0yoTL4LcC&pg=PA70&lpg=... )

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Note added at 19 mins (2013-09-10 13:05:42 GMT)
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or something like 'shared principles' or 'shared basis'

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Note added at 1 hr (2013-09-10 14:00:01 GMT)
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✪ Having just read the added context, I would probably opt for something like: 'shared vision'

'Gemeenschappelijk vertrekpunt
Een gemeenschappelijk vertrekpunt is bij de citymarketing van Helmond belangrijk. (...)'

=

'Shared vision
A shared vision is important (...)'