Refocusing on Corporate Social Responsibility Programs

In the last two (2) decades, there has been much emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs at various levels of the socio-economic value chain. In the current economic climate with increasing levels sovereign debt and deficits, contraction in commercial market demand, and resulting effects on corporate balance sheets, it sometimes may seem difficult to proactively undertake and promote CSR programs.

Even in challenging economic times, it is critical to understand and appreciate that CSR programs play a vital role in further enabling and enhancing the process of “giving back as well as paying forward” by serving global society-at-large while maintaining overall sustainability goals.

There is also an increasingly important role for actively undertaking CSR programs by seeking and collaborating via partnerships with non-profit, no-profit-no-loss, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in sponsoring specific and results-oriented efforts which can also include “Private-Public-Partnerships”. Additionally, “Government-Corporate-Academia Partnerships” can also be a value adder in further promoting CSR programs.

Types of CSR Programs can include, but not limited to, the following:

·         Physical education, fitness and holistic wellness.

·         Poverty reduction through self-empowerment.

·         Value based education, training and social awareness.

·         Community based health & human services.

·         Women entrepreneurial programs & micro-finance.

·         Youth mentoring & development.

·         Rural decentralized energy supply.

·         Clean water supply and distribution.

Whether it is large, medium or small businesses, both shareholder and top-management commitment to advocating CSR programs will serve as a mandate to originate, develop, partner and execute CSR programs on a continual basis. Many times, it is not how much funding or resources are committed to CSR programs, but rather, the ongoing management will-power to uplift and benefit society-at-large and/or “the common good”.