OAS/YABT TO LAUNCH CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT IN ST. LUCIA
June 19, 2008
EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE!
OAS/YABT TO LAUNCH CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT IN ST. LUCIA
Finally, St. Lucian businesses and industries will officially be a part of a global thrust to promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in their enterprises. In recent years businesses were involved in philanthropic programmes as they attempted to reach out to their communities. Today, it is proven that CSR programmes enhance the goodwill of businesses and improve the bottom line of companies that practice CSR.
St. Lucia was selected to be one of five Caricom Member States to participate in the OAS/YABT CSR pilot Project which began in 2007. The other countries are Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.
Following the introduction of the project in Trinidad in September of 2007, training programmes were held in all five States. Special training is continuing to equip Country Trainers who are expected to promote the virtues of CSR especially to SMEs. It is important to note that many large companies are already implementing and practicing CSR. In the case of St. Lucia, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture has recognized companies that subscribe to the principles of CSR at their Annual Awards Dinner.
The St. Lucia Project is scheduled to be launched with a three day National Workshop, Monday – Wednesday, June 23 – 25, 2008 at the Royal St. Lucian Resort & Spa, Reduit Beach. The Seminar will be preceded by a Train the Trainer Workshop on Sunday, June 22, 2008. On Thursday, June 26, 2008 there will be a joint session with OAS/YABT and ISO where the International Standards Organisation will introduce aspects of ISO 26000 which is expected to be launched in 2009. It is interesting to note that ISO 26000 is a Voluntary Standard.
Corporate Social Responsibility is expected to put a human touch to businesses as they seek to capture the hearts and minds of their customers and communities in which they operate. The time has come for a new approach to doing business which is based on caring and sharing – giving back.
What is CSR? A definition of CSR is in order. There are several definitions but the one hereunder should suffice:
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept, which encourages organizations to consider the interests of society by taking responsibility for the impact of the organization’s activities on customers, employees, shareholders, communities and the environment in all aspects of its operations. This obligation is seen to extend beyond the statutory obligation to comply with legislation and sees organizations voluntarily taking further steps to improve the quality of life for employees and families as well as for the local community and society at large.
It is anticipated that the nation will benefit in several ways as the results of the CSR project sweep across St. Lucia.
There is a new development whereby businesspersons who are skeptical about taking time off of their businesses to get involved in conferences/workshops providing information relating to entrepreneurial activities, will be left behind. This is the age of information. Entrepreneurs have to plan ahead and seek out opportunities to ensure the survival of their businesses. In recent times, I have discovered that conferences/workshops are delivering information that is necessary to meet the challenges of doing business. The benchmarking gives Entrepreneurs an opportunity to have an in-depth look at what successful businesses are doing. At least to know what they are competing with.
I am aware of the sacrifice that is necessary to keep up with the demand that is placed on the time of Entrepreneurs to attend meetings but it could be well worth the sacrifice. The opportunity afforded those persons who attended the conference on Profiling Economic Vulnerability and Economic Resilience in Small States: The Case of St. Lucia at the Gaiety Conference Centre, Massade, Gros Islet on June 16 & 17, 2008 was one such example of the quality of information that is shared with participants. My advice to my readers is not to sit on the fence and think of conferences/workshops as mere talk shops but instead attend and make your contribution.
Hereunder is my selected motivational quote of the week:
FOLLOW THE PATH OF OTHERS TO SUCCESS
You can learn from other people to make up for
your lack of experience in any area of life.
Be open and receptive to people around you.
They have things to teach you.
Take advantage of the people that have made the
journey ahead of you.
Try to pick the right role models.
Don’t look for people that make you feel good or entertain you.
Look for people that can help you.
Role models are more than people you like and admire.
The key is to look for people that will help
you to be more successful.
You can learn from the mistakes of others.
You can learn different approaches to overcoming challenges.
Learning what not to do is as important
as learning what to do.
Success depends on using not opposing.
Copyright 2008 www.yourdailymotivation.com
Keep the Faith, God is in Charge, Dream Big and Expect Miracles all the time!!!
Edward Harris
Biblicist, Freelance Journalist, Author, Business & PR Consultant, Realtor, Sales & Marketing Specialist, Networker, Private Sector Advocate, Motivational Speaker
Email: eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com
Websites: http://www.Edwardharris.ws http://www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com http://www.stluciarealtors.com http://EdwardHarris.myvisalus.com