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Start Date & Time
February 21, 2008
10:00 AM
End Date & Time
February 21, 2008
11:00
AM
Location
Online.
Event Cost
Free!
Event URL
http://www.takingitglobal.or...
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Categories
Globalization
Corporate Social Responsibility
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  CSR - It begins with You - Posted By: Digital Parrot
This article below is subdivided into four parts
- My Personal Experience
- The Knowledge acquired
- Appreciation
- Recommendation to the Event Organizers
1. My Personal Experience
It was my first day at a TIG event / chat session and all was a bit strange to me. I made it a point of duty to be there on time and to prepare for it but no matter how much preparation one does you’ll still have to face some unforeseen scenerios. I was at the chat spot about an hour before the program began, having freed up my schedule for the day, but due to the place I was at that moment, the devices I needed to be fully involved were not at my reach. Anyway thanks to my early arrival and to the TIG Chat moderator who reminded me that I could still hear what the Invited Speakers were saying with just a speaker connected to my PC. Luckily the PC that was available for me to use had external speakers on it but whoops! The motherboard sound drivers had not been installed. Without wasting time, I was about searching for / installing the drivers as was my usual hobby, but since time was a critical factor now and the program had already started I had to burst it and resign to fate. I initially felt so bad and wished I were at home or a Café where all the facilities I needed were in place. But somehow I just had to cheer myself up.
Seeing a few bright, colourful and charming faces on the video/webcam sreen of the chat page (whom I guess were the speakers) gave me some ray of hope and so I quietly sat and watched the prgramme as though I were sitting in front of a TV set. I was trying to see the names behind the nice faces: moniquesk, Mango1982 etc. until the TIG moderator initiated an introductory session. Introductions were nicely done and we moved on to the business for day. Though I could not hear a single word due to the situation I found myself in but the text that was typed into the general chat box was fully digested. When the opportunity came I threw in a question which I had earlier prepared for the speaker from Microsoft. it was quite lengthy but justice was done to it as I became fully aware of Microsoft’s style in executing her CSR
My time was not wasted at all as I actually learnt so much within that short period of chat and wished it had lasted longer. After the program ended, I stayed back at the chat room trying to get to know the other participants better and make new connections. Somehow, I found myself being so helpful to some who came in later and felt so bad that they could not make it on time for the event. They thought they had missed out completely not until I told them that I had copied out what was typed into the general chat box for refference purposes. They too were able catch a glimpse of what happened at the event as they requested me to send them a copy.
For those who missed out completely you'll find below, neatly presented, the key points of what I learnt at the Event, And for the Organizers / Speakers, if there is any ommission / correction, don't hesitate to point it out. It will be much helpful
2. THE KNOWLEDGE I ACQUIRED
Organizations must take responsibility for their impact on society. Roles must be clearly defined, the advantages/disadvantages, their long-term sustainability must be clearly understood.
We must help organizations become more socially responsible. There is need to develop leadership in young people internationally. Developing learning networks around corporate responsibility as AIESEC strives to do. Membership in AIESEC provides training for young people, gives them the opportunity to lead teams & take on leadership roles. It also provides a global environment - connecting them within all countries. The role of furthering sustainability of CSR is everyone's responsibility, even the non-corporate sector. There is really no disadvantages in CSR although it can be costly in the short-term, but cost effective in the long-term.
It ensures longevity as individuals prefer working with companies who have values that reflect their own. They are willing to work for these companies even for a lesser pay. As such we must encourage companies to meet these values.
It should be the role of everybody to have an approach to CSR. There are large business opportunities for companies who implement their CSR approach well. The current trend is that society doesn't understand what CSR is. They connect it with philanthropy, or investment. That is why it is viewed negatively by companies. People who benefit from CSR should in turn be in charge of the sustainability of the CSR ideas. If there is the right understanding - then more companies will become involved, not just multinationals.
We need our society to understand what CSR really means but the big question remains, how do we educate society about csr? Involving all players and not having corporations as the main entity in charge of csr. Most Nationals think that the big successful companies should be the ones involved in CSR. Many people see companies attempting to be more equitable, generous. Eg. Working with coffee growers in different parts of the world, encourages fair practices in coffee growing. Above all, CSR starts with YOU as an individual before you extend it to the wider and outer targets. Many do not really understand the company’s CSR initiatives; they just see a company trying to do something good. There is an understanding that companies are trying to play a leadership role in various issues but the question is : are they doing enough?
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Microsoft’s approach to CSR is quite unique. Their programs, partnership & perception. Answering the question I raised about Microsoft (with its greatness), taking the lead in CSR mobilization, execution, management, training and evaluation, I was made to understand that Microsoft only plays a supportive role. Your support and partner to achieve the goal.
Its worth examining the actual business practices of companies, when examining what csr is. We as individuals have to do something about it. Companies can write a cheque - but they need to make sure that their core business practices are fair. Two contrasting ideas are now emerging; people think corporations should lead csr, vs. individuals being responsible for understanding csr. Could the misconceptions be a result of pressure?
But why are there these two very different perspectives? And how can we bring these two perspectives together? i.e - are we as individuals responsible for educating ourselves about csr practices amongst different orgs, companies - or are the companies themselves responsible? Or how can we bring together these two ideas
What creates confusion in CSR is largely terminology particularly when coming from academics. Buzz words get filtered in through media that really aren't explained, creates confusion and leaves some people going home with the notion that CSR is philanthropy - donating money. In the real sense of it, CSR is what Allyson (Speaker from Microsoft) outlined, the actual day to day business practices. Business practices needs to have the positive social impact, an internal and external approach. The best way to avoid confusion is really bringing the right practices into the mainstream.
Rather than talking about the act, or green washing: businesses try and appear as though they are sustainable and responsible, when they really are not. Let’s push that aside and see true leadership. A typical example: one of the largest financial organizations in Manitoba, a member based cooperative credit union. (Assiniboine Credit Union). Everyone has right to vote in elections and choose representatives that guide the financial organization. But this org have strict csr policies and do not invest any money in unethical businesses and their members have agreed to this policy. This org has 44 branches in a province of 1 million people. When it comes to investments or community contributions they support different grass roots initiatives, they practice what they preach every day. Leadership is like that, and when you communicate those kinds of leadership that helps to show what CSR really is.
A few Helpful links
Microsoft Partners in Learning (program about partnership & perception/progress report)
: http://www.microsoft.com/education/partnersinlearning.mspx
Career forward - helps students with career preparation
- http://course.careerforward.org/default.htm
Partners in Learning resources
http://www.microsoft.com/Education/PiLUSLeadership.mspx
Inspired Practice
http://www.inspiredpractice.com/home.html
AIESEC
http://www.aiesec.org/AI
3. APPRECIATION
I am greatful to the organizers of the event (TIG). This chat session really inspired and informed me on what CSR is and my role as an individual. And in response to the clarion call which the event poses to all I'll be involving myself in my own little way to help educate society on what CSR really is. I'll be making a further research into CSR and hopefully before the next three weeks expires I'll voluntarily design a dynamic website/blog that will provide society with a right view of what CSR really is.
Through a series of articles, photo, art, and multimedia resources made available at the site, (contributed, edited and updated by Volunteers) and by showcasing the best practices made by organizations, I hope to help the society understand CSR better and invite all part players to wake up to roles / responsibilities.
Suggestions are highly welcome as to the Site Name / url address of the new intended CSR website
Writings and Contributions are also welcome
And most especially, volunteers to help Edit / Moderate all content posted on the new website.
You can post any comment / contribution you have as regards this here at this blog, to my TIG email box (TIG User ID: talentsworld ) or to my personal email box : samuel@okechukwu.com
4. Recommendations to the Event Organizers
- To add a Pre - Checklist to the Reminder Email sent to attendees (A checklist of things attendees should have / do to fully prepare them for what they will encounter at the Chat Session
- To have a live recording of audio, text / video of all that took place at the Chat session, so that those who for some reason or the other could not make it can still view, dowload and learn from it.
- Enhance the chat software as it remains still after a period of time and one has to refresh the page loosing some of the earlier comments/text typed into the box
| February 22, 2008 | 20:14:43 |
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Host Organization
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TakingITGlobal (TIG)
TakingITGlobal (TIG) is an international organization, led by youth, empowered by technology. TIG brings together young people in more than 200 countries within international networks to collaborate on concrete projects addressing global problems and creating positive change.
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