Corporate Social Responsibility



Corporate Social Responsibility: “The idea that businesses should not function amorally, but instead should contribute to the welfare of their communities” www.investorwords.com Socially Conscious Investing: “Choosing to invest in companies that operate ethically, provide social benefits, and are sensitive to the environment and humanity.” www.investorwordds.com Leaders of thirty-six international companies including such global giants as Coca-Cola Company, McDonald’s Corporation, and the European Sugar Industry, recently issued a “corporate citizenship” statement, committing them to making responsible behavior a core part of their business and setting standards on corporate social responsibility (CSR). The joint statement, accompanied by a detailed framework for putting corporate citizenship into practice, was drawn up by a taskforce of World Economic Forum chief executives. This “Code of Conduct” will come into effect on January 1, 2004 and is a first step in an ongoing process, covering eight areas of social aspects including Human rights, education and training, health and safety, relationship between social partners, fair pay, working conditions, restructuring business relations and choice of suppliers. By assuming positions of corporate Social and Citizenship responsibility, the corporate world is elevating the moral fiber of businesses and advancing corporations to a new level of responsible globalization. Socially Responsible corporations include World Bank, the single largest investor in the social sectors worldwide, providing $20 billion in loans annually to its member countries for helping developing countries onto a path of stable, sustainable, and equitable growth. Corporate Social Responsibility involves assisting where the impact is greatest such as health care, nutrition, early childhood development programs, primary education, and poverty. Startling global statistics from World Bank reveal that 130 million children do not go to primary school. Corporate Social Responsibility, “Corporate Social Responsibility” search phrase definition yielded 1,060,000 Internet web pages. Environmental degradation is prevalent, including air and water pollution, climate change, loss of biological diversity; desertification and deforestation are threatening the ability to meet basic human needs, adequate food, clean water, and safe shelter in many parts of the world. Holding corporations accountable for social responsibility involves prudent screening on the part of investors to avoid posing conflict with the ethics and values of the investors, and investing in companies that contribute to the very problems our world is trying to overcome. As social and environmental issues increase, businesses for Social Responsibility are also on the rise, such as Educators for Social Responsibility that provides conflict resolution programs in more than 375 schools in the US and carries a mission “to make teaching social responsibility a practice in education so that young people develop the convictions and skills needed to shape a safe, sustainable, democratic and just world.” The following are examples of corporations who have chosen to take a position of Corporate Social Responsibility: Dow, a leading science and technology company with annual sales of $27 billion, serves clients in more than 170 countries in markets vital to human progress, including food, transportation, health and medicine, building and construction. With more than 50,000 employees, Dow is committed to the principles of Sustainable Development. Dow states: “This distinctive contribution we make to society helps customers succeed, stockholders prosper, employees achieve, and communities thrive.” (The Dow Chemical Company Foundation contributes more than $18 million annually to charitable and educational institutions around the world.). Hewlett-Packard Corporation: “Today’s multinational corporations have the responsibility - and the imperative - to redefine their role on world stage as they pursue business opportunities … HP intends to be an exemplary corporate global citizen by engaging in unique public/private partnerships and modeling behavior and activities in our governance, environmental policy and practices, community engagement models and our e-Inclusion initiatives to bridge the digital divide. Our technology, our people, and our legacy give us a unique vantage point and … capabilities to make lasting and meaningful contributions to the world ”-Carly S. Fiorina, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Federal Express “ FedEx absolutely cares about our global community. We … help thousands of organizations throughout the world. Our aircraft and vehicles deliver tons of aid to disaster sites. Our employees volunteer to make their communities better places to live, play and work. We give financial support to help ensure children’s safety and improve education. Our strategic global relationships include American Red Cross, National Safe Kids Campaign, Orbis International, United Way, Junior Achievement, and March of Dimes.” Caterpillar: “ Caterpillar accepts the responsibilities of global citizenship. We know that our commitment to financial success must also take into account social priorities. The environmental dimension of social responsibility recognizes Caterpillar’s impact on living and non-living natural systems, including ecosystems, land, air, and water. We strive to contribute toward a global environment in which all people can work safely and live healthy, productive lives - now and in the future.” To sustain our world, we must not only respect ethical values, people, communities and our environment, but as individuals and corporations we must become socially responsible to effectuate positive social change. The CAN DO! Project plays a vital role in this transition by producing socially responsible multimedia products. “ As global citizens we must exercise individual and Corporate Social Responsibility. The CAN DO! Project joins other cutting-edge “Partners for Positive Change” working together to elevate the social, environmental and moral climate of our society.” - Keith Colley, President & CEO The CAN DO! Project (c)Copyright 1999 by CAN DO! Inc.,All Rights Reserved P.O. Box 111, Freeland, WA 98249 V.S.A. (360)579-1788 FAX:(360)S79-2404, cando@whidbey.com
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*Corporate Social Responsibility: “The idea that businesses should not function amorally, but instead should contribute to the welfare of their communities”
www.investorwords.com

Socially Conscious Investing: “Choosing to invest in companies that operate ethically, provide social benefits, and are sensitive to the environment and humanity.” www.investorwordds.com

Leaders of thirty-six international companies including such global giants as Coca-Cola Company, McDonald’s Corporation, and the European Sugar Industry, recently issued a “corporate citizenship” statement, committing them to making responsible behavior a core part of their business and setting standards on corporate social responsibility (CSR).
The joint statement, accompanied by a detailed framework for putting corporate citizenship into practice, was drawn up by a taskforce of World Economic Forum chief executives. This “Code of Conduct” will come into effect on January 1, 2004 and is a first step in an ongoing process, covering eight areas of social aspects including Human rights, education and training, health and safety, relationship between social partners, fair pay, working conditions, restructuring business relations and choice of suppliers. By assuming positions of corporate Social and Citizenship responsibility, the corporate world is elevating the moral fiber of businesses and advancing corporations to a new level of responsible globalization.

Socially Responsible corporations include World Bank, the single largest investor in the social sectors worldwide, providing $20 billion in loans annually to its member countries for helping developing countries onto a path of stable, sustainable, and equitable growth.

Corporate Social Responsibility involves assisting where the impact is greatest such as health care, nutrition, early childhood development programs, primary education, and poverty. Startling global statistics from World Bank reveal that 130 million children do not go to primary school. Corporate Social Responsibility,
*“Corporate Social Responsibility” search phrase definition yielded 1,060,000 Internet web pages.

Environmental degradation is prevalent, including air and water pollution, climate change, loss of biological diversity; desertification and deforestation are threatening the ability to meet basic human needs, adequate food, clean water, and safe shelter in many parts of the world.

Holding corporations accountable for social responsibility involves prudent screening on the part of investors to avoid posing conflict with the ethics and values of the investors, and investing in companies that contribute to the very problems our world is trying to overcome. As social and environmental issues increase, businesses for Social Responsibility are also on the rise, such as Educators for Social Responsibility that provides conflict resolution programs in more than 375 schools in the US and carries a mission “to make teaching social responsibility a practice in education so that young people develop the convictions and skills needed to shape a safe, sustainable, democratic and just world.”

The following are examples of corporations who have chosen to take a position of Corporate Social Responsibility:

Dow, a leading science and technology company with annual sales of $27 billion, serves clients in more than 170 countries in markets vital to human progress, including food, transportation, health and medicine, building and construction. With more than 50,000 employees, Dow is committed to the principles of Sustainable Development.

Dow states: “This distinctive contribution we make to society helps customers succeed, stockholders prosper, employees achieve, and communities thrive.” (The Dow Chemical Company Foundation contributes more than $18 million annually to charitable and educational institutions around the world.).

“Today’s multinational corporations have the responsibility - and the imperative - to redefine their role on world stage as they pursue business opportunities … HP intends to be an exemplary corporate global citizen by engaging in unique public/private partnerships and modeling behavior and activities in our governance, environmental policy and practices, community engagement models and our e-Inclusion initiatives to bridge the digital divide. Our technology, our people, and our legacy give us a unique vantage point and … capabilities to make lasting and meaningful contributions to the world ”-Carly S. Fiorina, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

“ FedEx absolutely cares about our global community. We … help thousands of organizations throughout the world. Our aircraft and vehicles deliver tons of aid to disaster sites. Our employees volunteer to make their communities better places to live, play and work. We give financial support to help ensure children’s safety and improve education. Our strategic global relationships include American Red Cross, National Safe Kids Campaign, Orbis International, United Way, Junior Achievement, and March of Dimes.”

Caterpillar:

“ Caterpillar accepts the responsibilities of global citizenship. We know that our commitment to financial success must also take into account social priorities. The environmental dimension of social responsibility recognizes Caterpillar’s impact on living and non-living natural systems, including ecosystems, land, air, and water. We strive to contribute toward a global environment in which all people can work safely and live healthy, productive lives - now and in the future.”

To sustain our world, we must not only respect ethical values, people, communities and our environment, but as individuals and corporations we must become socially responsible to effectuate positive social change. The CAN DO! Project plays a vital role in this transition by producing socially responsible multimedia products.

“ As global citizens we must exercise individual and Corporate Social Responsibility. The CAN DO! Project joins other cutting-edge “Partners for Positive Change” working together to elevate the social, environmental and moral climate of our society.” - Keith Colley, President & CEO The CAN DO! Project