UAE firms join global 'good citizens' movement
Twenty companies sign up to adopt policies on human rights, labour standards, environment and corruption
United Arab Emirates companies are joining a growing worldwide movement encouraging businesses to adopt core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment and corruption, according to a United Nations initiative.
"Despite the image sometimes portrayed of regional companies, more and more are demonstrating their leadership by advancing responsible corporate citizenship," said Kosta Petrov, Conference Manager of the 5th Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit that takes place at the JW Marriott Hotel, Dubai, from 14 to 19 June 2008.
"These enlightened regional companies are seeking practical solutions to contemporary problems related to globalisation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility," he added. "These issues go to the heart of the CSR Summit which aims to monitor, measure and guide a company’s relationship with the community and the environment.
"The financial bottomline benefit is to improve brand management, employee morale and productivity as well as operational effectiveness - which any business person can understand."
The UN Global Compact is the world's largest voluntary corporate citizenship initiative with over 5000 participants across 120 countries with 60 local networks. The compact commits companies to principles on human rights, labour standards, the environment and corruption, with the aim of improving the "social legitimacy" of businesses.
The Network in the Gulf Co-operation Council States of the UN Global Compact was formed earlier this year in Dubai – a move which spurred new members - and the United Arab Emirates is leading the way with almost 20 participants, according to the compact's website (www.unglobalcompact.org).
The current pioneering UAE participants in the compact are: Arabtec Construction; the Centre for Management Excellence; Condor Building Contracting; Dubai International Academic City; the Emirates Environmental Group; Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company; Emirates NBD; Energy Management Services; Integrated Contract and Supply Solutions; Masafi Company; Metito; Pacific Controls Systems; Pryme Partners; RA International; Sabban Property Investments; Sama Dubai; Tameer Holding Investments; Tatweer Dubai; and Total Project Management.
One of the earliest regional companies to join was Aramex, one of the world’s leading transportation solutions providers. “Sustainability is the way of the future, it requires commitment and innovation to develop and integrate into the daily practice of organisations," Fadi Ghandour, the company's CEO and founder, said recently.
Dubai-listed Aramex was also the first company in the region to release an audited sustainability report that showcases its commitment to the community and the environment – setting an ambitious target to be the first carbon neutral company in the industry. Aramex Gulf region CEO Hussein Hachem will be identifying the importance of sustainability reporting at the 5th CSR Summit.
The CSR Summit Awards programme will honour companies in the GCC for outstanding, innovative and world-class products, services, projects and programmes. The projects must demonstrate a company’s leadership, sincerity and on-going commitment to incorporating ethical values, compliance with legal requirements and respect for individuals, communities and the environment in the way they conduct business.
The CSR Summit is leading by example. During a special gala dinner attended by Madam Sia Koroma, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, organisers IIR Middle East hope to raise more than AED500,000 for orphans in the west African state.
Sponsors of the 5th CSR Summit are the Dow Chemical Company, Dubai Properties and Microsoft. Supporters of the Summit are CSR Middle East, Dubai Centre for Corporate Values, the UN Development Programme and Dubai Drums.
Details of the CSR Summit can be found at www.thecsrsummit.com
-ENDS-
For media information, please contact:
Nathalie Visele
Director
Shamal Marketing Communications
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel.: +971 50 457 6525
E-mail: nathalie@theshamalgroup.com
Web: www.smc-pr.com
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Official Press Release: 5th CSR Summit
Press release
For immediate publication 31 March 2008
CSR Summit to debate reducing the carbon footprint
Middle East companies join the 'green revolution' as part of
commitment to corporate social responsibility
Forget arguments over whether global warming and climatic change is real, companies the world over – including the Middle East – are taking part in a green revolution aimed at reducing man's impact on the environment, say the organisers of the 5th Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit.
"With a city like Dubai having one of the world's highest per capita carbon footprints, reducing a company's impact on the environment and its energy costs should be a core element of any CSR programme for every business in the emirate," said Kosta Petrov, Conference Manager for the Summit that takes place at the JW Marriott Hotel, Dubai, from 14 to 19 June 2008.
Average individual electricity usage has been assessed by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority at 20,000 kilowatt hours per annum and 130 gallons of water daily, putting Dubai among the cities with the highest consumption per person in the world. New ‘slab’ measures are being introduced by the utility company aimed at encouraging energy consumers to use less by paying more.
A survey by Dubai facilities management company Farnek Avireal showed five-star hotels in Dubai use up to 225% more energy than their counterparts in Europe. Since then two of the world’s leading premium hotel chains - Mővenpick and Swissôtel – have made a commitment to "go green" by trimming energy and water costs and reducing carbon dioxide emissions across their properties throughout the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi, which holds more than 8% of the world's oil reserves, is investing $15 billion in developing alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on conventional hydrocarbons revenue. It plans to build a zero-waste, zero-carbon, car-less city, which is billed as the world's first carbon-neutral city, a community housing 50,000 people and 1,500 businesses.
"Organisations worldwide are now investing in solar and wind power as well as in geothermal energy, better bio-fuels and the technology to harness the energy of tides, currents and waves," said Petrov.
A recent international report revealed clean technologies now account for almost 4% of global power generation. The Renewables 2007 Global Status Report from think tanks Renewable Energy Network and the Worldwatch Institute found that renewable electricity generation capacity last year reached 240 gigawatts worldwide, double that of 2004.
Mohamed El-Ashry, chair of the Renewable Energy Network and a headline speaker at the CSR Summit, says the sector has grown so fast that the perception among some politicians and energy sector analysts that it remains a niche area now "lag far behind the reality of where the renewables industry is today."
In a CSR Summit debate on minimising an organisation's environmental impact, Dr El-Ashry will be asking delegates if their companies are doing enough on the issue of global warming and climatic change, Petrov added. In addition, Serge de Gheldere, Director Futureproof/ed and the Belgian Climate Change Ambassador for former US Vice Presidential candidate turned environmental campaigner Al Gore, will be advising companies on how they can play their part in reversing the process.
Gheldere will also moderate an environmental leader's panel on the business case behind reducing an organisation's carbon footprint and introducing climate change strategy in a CSR programme. Contributors will include the Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF.
New this year the CSR Summit Awards programme will honour companies in the GCC for outstanding, innovative and world-class products, services, projects and programmes implemented in 2007/2008.
The projects must demonstrate a company’s leadership, sincerity and on-going commitment to incorporating ethical values, compliance with legal requirements and respect for individuals, communities and the environment in the way they conduct business.
The CSR Summit is also leading by example. During a special gala dinner which will be attended by Madam Sia Koroma, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, organisers IIR Middle East hopes to raise over AED 500,000 for orphans in the west African state.
Sponsors of the 5th CSR Summit are the Dow Chemical Company, Dubai Properties and Microsoft. Supporter of the Summit are CSR Middle East, Dubai Centre for Corporate Values, and the UN Development Programme.
-ENDS-
Details of the awards, the scholarship programme and the CSR Summit can be found at www.thecsrsummit.com
For media information, please contact:
Nathalie Visele
Director
Shamal Marketing Communications
PO Box 24459
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel.: +971 50 457 6525
Fax: +971 4 312 4313
E-mail: nathalie@theshamalgroup.com
Web: www.smc-pr.com
For immediate publication 31 March 2008
CSR Summit to debate reducing the carbon footprint
Middle East companies join the 'green revolution' as part of
commitment to corporate social responsibility
Forget arguments over whether global warming and climatic change is real, companies the world over – including the Middle East – are taking part in a green revolution aimed at reducing man's impact on the environment, say the organisers of the 5th Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit.
"With a city like Dubai having one of the world's highest per capita carbon footprints, reducing a company's impact on the environment and its energy costs should be a core element of any CSR programme for every business in the emirate," said Kosta Petrov, Conference Manager for the Summit that takes place at the JW Marriott Hotel, Dubai, from 14 to 19 June 2008.
Average individual electricity usage has been assessed by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority at 20,000 kilowatt hours per annum and 130 gallons of water daily, putting Dubai among the cities with the highest consumption per person in the world. New ‘slab’ measures are being introduced by the utility company aimed at encouraging energy consumers to use less by paying more.
A survey by Dubai facilities management company Farnek Avireal showed five-star hotels in Dubai use up to 225% more energy than their counterparts in Europe. Since then two of the world’s leading premium hotel chains - Mővenpick and Swissôtel – have made a commitment to "go green" by trimming energy and water costs and reducing carbon dioxide emissions across their properties throughout the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi, which holds more than 8% of the world's oil reserves, is investing $15 billion in developing alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on conventional hydrocarbons revenue. It plans to build a zero-waste, zero-carbon, car-less city, which is billed as the world's first carbon-neutral city, a community housing 50,000 people and 1,500 businesses.
"Organisations worldwide are now investing in solar and wind power as well as in geothermal energy, better bio-fuels and the technology to harness the energy of tides, currents and waves," said Petrov.
A recent international report revealed clean technologies now account for almost 4% of global power generation. The Renewables 2007 Global Status Report from think tanks Renewable Energy Network and the Worldwatch Institute found that renewable electricity generation capacity last year reached 240 gigawatts worldwide, double that of 2004.
Mohamed El-Ashry, chair of the Renewable Energy Network and a headline speaker at the CSR Summit, says the sector has grown so fast that the perception among some politicians and energy sector analysts that it remains a niche area now "lag far behind the reality of where the renewables industry is today."
In a CSR Summit debate on minimising an organisation's environmental impact, Dr El-Ashry will be asking delegates if their companies are doing enough on the issue of global warming and climatic change, Petrov added. In addition, Serge de Gheldere, Director Futureproof/ed and the Belgian Climate Change Ambassador for former US Vice Presidential candidate turned environmental campaigner Al Gore, will be advising companies on how they can play their part in reversing the process.
Gheldere will also moderate an environmental leader's panel on the business case behind reducing an organisation's carbon footprint and introducing climate change strategy in a CSR programme. Contributors will include the Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF.
New this year the CSR Summit Awards programme will honour companies in the GCC for outstanding, innovative and world-class products, services, projects and programmes implemented in 2007/2008.
The projects must demonstrate a company’s leadership, sincerity and on-going commitment to incorporating ethical values, compliance with legal requirements and respect for individuals, communities and the environment in the way they conduct business.
The CSR Summit is also leading by example. During a special gala dinner which will be attended by Madam Sia Koroma, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, organisers IIR Middle East hopes to raise over AED 500,000 for orphans in the west African state.
Sponsors of the 5th CSR Summit are the Dow Chemical Company, Dubai Properties and Microsoft. Supporter of the Summit are CSR Middle East, Dubai Centre for Corporate Values, and the UN Development Programme.
-ENDS-
Details of the awards, the scholarship programme and the CSR Summit can be found at www.thecsrsummit.com
For media information, please contact:
Nathalie Visele
Director
Shamal Marketing Communications
PO Box 24459
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel.: +971 50 457 6525
Fax: +971 4 312 4313
E-mail: nathalie@theshamalgroup.com
Web: www.smc-pr.com
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The First Lady Of Sierra Leone To Help IIR Raise Funds For The Orphans In Sierra Leone
Madame Alice Sia Koroma, First Lady of Sierra Leone will join IIR's efforts to raise funds for a new orphanage center in Sierra Leone.
Her Excellency will be a special guest at the CSR SUMMIT GALA DINNER to take place on 15 June 2008 at JW Marriot Hotel in Dubai, UAE. "The aim of this special dinner is to raise funds for a new orphanage centre in Sierra Leone. Together with our charity partner ALL AS ONE we plan to raise around AED 500,000 and we hope that our delegates and special guests will make this a reality" said Kosta Petrov, the Senior Conference Manager in charge of producing the Summit.
For more information about the GALA DINNER and to find out how you can contribute contact Kosta Petrov at kosta.petrov@iirme.com or by phone: +97144072653.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Money Matters And DCCV Sign MoU
Najeeb Al Ali, Director of DCCV, and Nalini Suresh, Project Facilitator of Money Matters, signed the MoU.
Under the agreement, corporates participating in the employee welfare programme will contribute about 40 per cent of its proceeds to a community cause. Employees of these member companies will be provided with tools and techniques to achieve financial freedom.
Najeeb Al Ali said: 'DCCV seeks to make a difference in all three layers of the society - the individual, the workplace and the community. In today's corporate world employees form a vital stakeholder base. However, they are not treated even-handedly, ethically or with respect, because corporate decision-making focuses almost exclusively on shareholder value. Corporations which engage in short-term thinking and cost-cutting measures to the detriment of employees are ultimately hurting themselves.
'Considering the vital role that employees play, compassionate corporates should sponsor this programme as an employee welfare measure. This initiative fosters loyalty while motivating staff members to be more productive and deliver quality performance.'
Nalini Suresh, of Money Matters said: 'Money Matters offers a series of financial literacy programmes, presented in a modular format to suit the specific needs of residents in this region.
'We offer unbiased, holistic solutions as we are not associated with any financial product or service provider. The objective is purely to educate, offer guidance and alleviate the stress generated by a less-than-perfect financial environment for employees.'*
*Courtesy of AME Info
Both Nalini Suresh and Najeeb Al Ali will present at this year's summit. Register now at www.thecsrsummit.com to hear their cutting edge presentations!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
CSR Summit Scholarship Award
The 5th CSR Summit supports the aspirations of CSR professionals at all levels, including young local college students and motivated individuals without the financial support of a corporate through our CSR Scholarship Programme.
Summit Scholarship
IIR recognises that not all CSR professionals have the funding or corporate sponsorship to take advantage of this opportunity. Therefore, we will award five Forum Scholarships to individuals with a demonstrated need. To apply, simply tell us in one to two pages why you deserve the scholarship and how you would benefit from it. You must also include a recommendation from a peer, colleague or professor who can attest to your management talent or potential. You should include the following information: your full name; organisation or school affiliation; postal address; phone number; fax number; and your email address.
Applications must be received by IIRME no later than 15 May 2008. Scholarship recipients will be notified by 30 May 2008. Scholarships cover only the cost of the Summit and do not cover hotel, travel or other costs.
Please email, fax or mail your applications to: Kosta Petrov, Senior Conference Manager, 5th CSR Summit Email: kosta.petrov@iirme.com Fax: +971-4-3352715 Mail: PO Box 21743.
For more info about this year's Summit please visit our official website www.thecsrsummit.com
Summit Scholarship
IIR recognises that not all CSR professionals have the funding or corporate sponsorship to take advantage of this opportunity. Therefore, we will award five Forum Scholarships to individuals with a demonstrated need. To apply, simply tell us in one to two pages why you deserve the scholarship and how you would benefit from it. You must also include a recommendation from a peer, colleague or professor who can attest to your management talent or potential. You should include the following information: your full name; organisation or school affiliation; postal address; phone number; fax number; and your email address.
Applications must be received by IIRME no later than 15 May 2008. Scholarship recipients will be notified by 30 May 2008. Scholarships cover only the cost of the Summit and do not cover hotel, travel or other costs.
Please email, fax or mail your applications to: Kosta Petrov, Senior Conference Manager, 5th CSR Summit Email: kosta.petrov@iirme.com Fax: +971-4-3352715 Mail: PO Box 21743.
For more info about this year's Summit please visit our official website www.thecsrsummit.com
Thursday, March 6, 2008
CSR Brochure Finally Out!
After hundreds of research calls and months of invitations at IIR we are happy to announce that the CSR Summit 08 Brochure is finally out.
Many of you will soon receive it by email but those that cannot wait, you can download the brochure at our official website www.thecsrsummit.com
See you in June 2008!
Many of you will soon receive it by email but those that cannot wait, you can download the brochure at our official website www.thecsrsummit.com
See you in June 2008!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
CSR Awards Criteria
The CSR Summit Awards is GCC’s Awards programme on corporate social responsibility. The programme recognises and honors GCC companies for outstanding, innovative and world-class products, services, projects and programs implemented in 2007/2008. These projects should demonstrate the company's leadership, sincerity and on-going commitment in incorporating ethical values, compliance with legal requirements, and respect for individuals, communities and the environment into the way they do business.
The Award categories for this year are:
Best Environmental Excellence Award
Best Community Programme Award
Best Workplace Practices
CSR Leadership Award
Companies can enter as many projects as they wish in one or more of these categories. The awards criteria do not favor large or small companies and all company sizes have equal chances to win. The winning company, regardless of size, is simply one which in the opinion of the judges, best meets the criteria for each category.
CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA
Best Environmental Excellence Award
The Company that has successfully implemented a major project or program in areas such as: Energy Efficiency, Extended Product Responsibility, Green Product Design, Waste Reduction, Sustainable Business Practices and Water Conservation.
The company that has integrated environmental performance into its sustainable development strategy and delivering proven business benefits.
Best Workplace Practices
This category includes employee ownership plans. The company that has policies and programs in place that show the respect they have for their employees and how much they value them. How far has the company gone in taking care of its employees by way of dependence care, layoffs and closing, Health and wellness, privacy, in employee training, fostering lifelong learning, in improving the quality of life at work and in implementing employee ownership plans on a sustainable basis.
Best Community Programme Award
The company that has successfully implemented a community project that has resulted in poverty alienation, better education, business growth or community engagement. Does the company believe in uplifting education of those who cannot or helping individuals to get away from poverty? How well does the company back up its belief and commitment to the community? How sustainable is the project or program?
CSR Leadership Award
This award will be awarded to an individual who has contributed in promoting all aspects of corporate social responsibility including environment, sustainability, community partnerships, education, poverty alienation etc.
Awards Ceremony
The Awards ceremonies will take place during the Gala Dinner and Awards Night of the CSR Summit on 15 June 2008. Hundreds of senior executives and professionals on corporate social responsibility from government, business and civil society from the region, and the media will be present.
Selection Process
There is an in-depth search and selection process for the Awards composed of generating entries, initial screening, comments by advisors and final judging.
The Judging Panel
The judging panel is made up internationally recognised and respected judges from a variety of industry sectors and disciplines. The panel is carefully selected to ensure the selection process is fair and objective. The judges are bound by a strict confidentiality agreement and are required to declare any conflict of interest in entries over which they deliberate and to stand aside from deliberations concerning those entries.
Generating entriesCompanies from all over the region are encouraged to nominate themselves and enter their favorite projects or programs. There is no limit to the number of entries per company.
Regional and international organisations, including NGOs, advertising agencies, management consultants and suppliers of products and services are also invited to nominate companies in the Award categories for specific projects, programs and services that showcase their CSR commitment.
The Award categories for this year are:
Best Environmental Excellence Award
Best Community Programme Award
Best Workplace Practices
CSR Leadership Award
Companies can enter as many projects as they wish in one or more of these categories. The awards criteria do not favor large or small companies and all company sizes have equal chances to win. The winning company, regardless of size, is simply one which in the opinion of the judges, best meets the criteria for each category.
CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA
Best Environmental Excellence Award
The Company that has successfully implemented a major project or program in areas such as: Energy Efficiency, Extended Product Responsibility, Green Product Design, Waste Reduction, Sustainable Business Practices and Water Conservation.
The company that has integrated environmental performance into its sustainable development strategy and delivering proven business benefits.
Best Workplace Practices
This category includes employee ownership plans. The company that has policies and programs in place that show the respect they have for their employees and how much they value them. How far has the company gone in taking care of its employees by way of dependence care, layoffs and closing, Health and wellness, privacy, in employee training, fostering lifelong learning, in improving the quality of life at work and in implementing employee ownership plans on a sustainable basis.
Best Community Programme Award
The company that has successfully implemented a community project that has resulted in poverty alienation, better education, business growth or community engagement. Does the company believe in uplifting education of those who cannot or helping individuals to get away from poverty? How well does the company back up its belief and commitment to the community? How sustainable is the project or program?
CSR Leadership Award
This award will be awarded to an individual who has contributed in promoting all aspects of corporate social responsibility including environment, sustainability, community partnerships, education, poverty alienation etc.
Awards Ceremony
The Awards ceremonies will take place during the Gala Dinner and Awards Night of the CSR Summit on 15 June 2008. Hundreds of senior executives and professionals on corporate social responsibility from government, business and civil society from the region, and the media will be present.
Selection Process
There is an in-depth search and selection process for the Awards composed of generating entries, initial screening, comments by advisors and final judging.
The Judging Panel
The judging panel is made up internationally recognised and respected judges from a variety of industry sectors and disciplines. The panel is carefully selected to ensure the selection process is fair and objective. The judges are bound by a strict confidentiality agreement and are required to declare any conflict of interest in entries over which they deliberate and to stand aside from deliberations concerning those entries.
Generating entriesCompanies from all over the region are encouraged to nominate themselves and enter their favorite projects or programs. There is no limit to the number of entries per company.
Regional and international organisations, including NGOs, advertising agencies, management consultants and suppliers of products and services are also invited to nominate companies in the Award categories for specific projects, programs and services that showcase their CSR commitment.
Each submission must include the following information in hard copy:
- Nomination Entry Form.
- An outline of the reasons why the nominee deserves to be recognised with a CSR Summit Award, highlighting any relevant, unique or outstanding characteristics based on the key criteria for the Award category entered. Maximum 1,000 words.
- A brief biography (for individual awards) or company profile. Maximum 300 words.
- Supporting material which you feel best validates your nomination- financial results, press clippings, campaign examples, testimonials must be supplied in soft copy.
- Nominations can be made by sending the appropriate supporting information to
Kosta Petrov
Senior Conference Manager CSR Summit
IIRME
PO Box 21743
Dubai, UAE
by the closing date of 6pm (UAE Time) 2pm (GMT), Thursday, 22 May 2008!.
Fast Facts!
Fast Facts For Some Of The Speakers And Companies Presenting At This Year's CSR Summit
- Serge de Gheldere is Al Gore’s Climate Change Ambassador In Belgium
- Dr Mohamed El Ahsry is 2006 United National Environmental Porgramme Prize Winner
- Gabrielle O’Donovan’s book Corporate Culture Handbook is in the top 1% of best business books for 2006
- Nawras Telecom won the 2007 CSR Business Excellence Award at Leaders In Dubai
- Novo Nordisk is the first company in the world to publish a sustainability report
- Aramex is the first Arab company to publish a sustainability report
Please visit http://www.thecsrsummit.com/ for more info about our expert speaker panel and the corporations presented at this year’s Summit.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The Dow Chemical Company Sponsors IIR's 5th CSR Summit
It has just been conifmed that Dow Chemical Company will be the supporting sponsor for IIR's 5th CSR Summit.
The Dow Chemical Company is a diversified chemical and plastics company that harnesses the power of innovation, science and technology to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow offers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $54 billion and employs 46,000 people worldwide.
In the Middle East, Dow has lived up to its vision to “think globally and act locally.” Dow’s commitment to the region started with the establishment of two manufacturing facilities and representative offices in the UAE and Egypt. More than three decades later, Dow continues to enjoy regional presence and recognizes the strength of its local joint ventures in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as a key success driver. Dow will continue to pursue a strategy of local partnership to transform the regional petrochemical landscape by setting up state-of-art petrochemical complexes in the Middle East region.
Dow believes that the health of its business is intertwined with the health of the communities in which it operates. Dow actively supports the social and economic aspirations of these communities and enables their success by forging alliances with non-profit organizations through educational programs, training and multicultural exposure.
Dow’s presence in the Middle East will continue to demonstrate industry leadership, technical innovation and expertise, with a commitment to sustainability to help transform the region into a key player in the global petrochemicals industry. Dow as an industry leader is focusing all its efforts towards being an active social and community member and an employer and partner of choice.
More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com or by contacting the regional headquarters in Dubai at +971 4 332 8866. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
UNDP Supports IIR's 5th CSR Summit
The United Nations Development Programme joins the list of supporters of IIR's 5th CSR Summit, taking place from 14-19 June 2008 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai, UAE.
UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organisation advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. They are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.
Khaled Alloush, Resident Representative of UNDP in UAE is set to present on the topic of Community Partnerships at the upcoming summit.
Please visit http://www.undp.org/ for more info about UNDP.
As already announced, this year's summit is also supported by CSR Middle East, EEG and Dubai Center For Corporate Values.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Novo Nordisk's External Affairs Manager To Address Delegates At 5th CSR Summit
Vibeke Burchard, External Affairs Manager at Novo Nordisk, one of the most prominent pharmaceutical companies and the first company in the world to publish an enviorenmental report, will present at the upcoming 5th CSR Summit to be held at JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai, UAE from 14-19 June 2008.You can find out more information about their community programms at www.novonordisk.com
MTV's Foundation Director To Speak At IIR's 5th CSR Summit
Thomas G. Ehr is the Chief Executive/Executive Director of the MTV Europe Foundation, the independent charitable foundation of MTV Networks Europe, which he conceived and launched with senior MTV management in 2003. Based in London, Tom oversees all of the Foundation's activities designed to educate young Europeans (chiefly via MTV's European broadcast network) regarding the critical social issues facing them and their peers, and inspire them to action.
Tom is the Executive Producer of MTV EXIT, MTV's multiplatform European campaign to End Exploitation and Trafficking. He also represents MTV Networks Europe in various corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights, chaired by former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson.
Tom is the Executive Producer of MTV EXIT, MTV's multiplatform European campaign to End Exploitation and Trafficking. He also represents MTV Networks Europe in various corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights, chaired by former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson.
Prior to joining MTV, Tom headed multimilliondollar economic and legal transition projects for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Serbia and Kazakhstan, under contracts held by international management consultants Booz Allen Hamilton and IBM Business Consulting Services. From 19992000, Tom served as President and Executive Director of international children's assistance organization War Child USA, where amongst other accomplishments he conceptualized, secured, and oversaw implementation of $1 million donation from Luciano Pavarotti to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to assist Kosovar refugees.
Before War Child, Tom served for a decade as attorney and Senior Counsel at the United States Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., where he acted as chief legal adviser on complex international negotiations including the WTO Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft and the Agreement Between the United States and the Russian Federation Concerning the Disposition of Highly Enriched Uranium Extracted from Nuclear Weapons. He also served on United States delegation for the Business Development Committee of the United StatesSouth Africa Binational Commission (chaired by then Vice President Gore and Deputy President Mbeki).
Tom also volunteered as an Elections Supervisor in the 1996 elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and as an Elections Observer in the historic postapartheid 1994 South African elections. He gained his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1988, and his B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1984
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
BBC's Deputy Head Of Corporate Social Responsibility To Speak At 5th CSR Summit
Yogesh Chauhan is the BBC's deputy head of corporate social responsibility (CSR). His work involves helping develop, coordinate and promote the BBC's ethical, community, environmental and corporate citizenship activities. In addition, he's in charge of specific projects, such as reporting and benchmarking the BBC's CSR performance. Prior to joining the BBC, Yogesh worked in both the commercial and charitable sectors on management and organisational development issues.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Nawras Telecom's Mohamed Al Hasany To Speak At 5th CSR Summit
Mohamed Mubarak Al Hasany, Head Of Corporate Affairs at Nawras Telecom, the CSR Business Excellence Award Winner for 2007, will present at the upcoming 5th CSR Summit, to be held from 14-19 June 2008 at JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai, UAE.
More about Nawras Telecom's 2007 CSR Award:
The award, given in recognition of the Nawras Goodwill Journey, was presented at the Leaders in Dubai Business Forum 2007 gala dinner held on November 18th. The event was attended by the region’s leading professionals, Government officials, regional media and included Noble Prize winners and international entrepreneurs.
Nawras Head of Corporate Affairs, Mohamed Al-Hasani was on hand to collect the award and in doing so, shared his thoughts and delight on this magnificent achievement. He explained, “A lot of hard work was invested in the Nawras Goodwill Journeys which have taken place during Ramadan over the past three years. I know that all the volunteer team members and everyone at Nawras is thrilled that so many people in Oman have benefited from this pleasingly different charitable initiative.
What began as an employee idea generated during a brainstorming session, has gone from strength to strength since then, clearly showing how much Nawras cares.”Al-Hasani was anxious to stress the point that, “Most importantly, this award puts the spotlight on all companies in the Sultanate to play their respective part and take their responsibility to society seriously. If the Nawras Goodwill Journey and this prestigious award can help to emphasise this and inspire others to follow suit, then our efforts will have succeeded on many levels.”
This Middle Eastern Business Achievement award follows another great tribute received by Nawras in September, naming this customer-friendly communications provider as the Middle East Mobile Operator of the Year 2007. The company’s dedication and commitment to the Nawras Goodwill Journey was a factor considered by the judges involved in determining who would receive this award, too.
Nawras has acted in a manner that goes far beyond its financial and legal obligations and since the initial Goodwill Journey in 2005, has continued to carry out a very ambitious CSR role. Nawras will continue to highlight the great work carried out everyday by Oman’s charities and runs a permanent SMS donation service for the Oman Charitable Association (OCO). Customers can make a donation of 209Bz at any time by simply sending a free SMS with the keyword Donate to 90095. All funds collected are passed in their entirety to the OCO.
Nawras currently covers 96% of the population with its reliable world-class network, using national roaming where necessary and always with Nawras great value.
Gabrielle O Donovan, The Acclaimed Author Of "The Corporate Culture Handbook" Joins IIR's 5th CSR Summit
Gabrielle O’Donovan has worked with major blue-chip companies for many years on OD/change management and is a Visiting Lecturer at Hong Kong Polytechnic University where she lectures at masters degree level.
She developed her initial repotire of skills by working on a range of major initiatives for Cathay Pacific Airways. Her recent HSBC culture change programme won an ASTD Excellence in Practice Award in 2005 and her articles have been published in Corporate Governance International, Banking Today and Best Practices Management. She is a graduate of the University of Bolton and received her M.Ed. in Training and Development from the University of Sheffield.
Gabrielle is a member of numerous professional societies including the Society of Leadership & Change, the ASTD, the Society of Authors, the Institute of Management Consultants, the Strategic Planning Society and Mensa. She wears multiple hats and is a practitioner, business author, conference speaker and university lecturer. Gabrielle is also Associate Editor of the International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management.
About her much acclaimed book "The Corporate Culture Handbook" - Listed in "The 100 Most Popular Business Books" by Bookjive, USA
"The Corporate Culture Handbook is in the top 1% of best business books for 2006" .
John Fayed - CEO, Business Book Review, USA
John Fayed - CEO, Business Book Review, USA
Corporate culture remains an enigma for many a strategic management team, and successful culture change remains but a myth for most organisations. The Corporate Culture Handbook dispels much of the mystique surrounding the subject, outlines the business case for corporate culture management, puts forward a field-proven strategic implementation plan that incorporates best practice and lessons learned and presents pioneering work on the measurement of a culture change programme.
Please visit http://gabrielle083.vox.com/ for more info!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
A WWF Representative To Present At 5th CSR Summit!
Overview Of WWF UAE Office
The WWF UAE Project Office was established in February 2001. Although it was the first WWF office to be set up in the Middle East, WWF’s association with the region can be traced back to the early 1960s where WWF helped establish the 'Arabian Oryx World Herd,' which succeeded in breeding the Oryx in captivity and returning them to reserves in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Thanks to 'Operation Oryx' the Arabian Oryx was saved from extinction.
Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS)
EWS is a national (UAE) environmental NGO. EWS is established under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, to implement conservation actions for the protection of local biodiversity. In the UAE, EWS works in association with WWF. The EWS is governed by a Board of Directors that also serves as the WWF UAE Project Office Board. EWS-WWF has been active in the UAE since the beginning of 2001 and has initiated several conservation projects in the region.
Role of the WWF UAE Project Office
The WWF UAE Project Office in Abu Dhabi established the first presence of WWF in a Gulf state. Today WWF also have offices in Dubai and in Fujairah.
The mandate of EWS-WWF covers:
- Species
- Habitats
- Climate Change
- Ecological Footprint
- Natural Resources
Our work in the region is implemented through conservation, education, awareness and policy recommendation.
EWS-WWF has a valuable role to play in:
- Protection of biodiversity in key sites, species of special concern and ecological processes critical for the region
- Raising awareness and advocating actions to reduce the Ecological Footprint of the UAE (this is among the highest in the world per capita)
- Promoting a sustainable lifestyle in the UAE
- Contribution to the shaping of a still evolving, institutional framework in the UAE, so that local, regional and global environmental issues are addressed together
- Highlight the responsibility of the UAE on the international conservation scene.
Protection is Vital
The UAE and the region support a rich biodiversity, particularly in marine and coastal ecosystems. At the same time, developmental pressures are enormous. Habitats are destroyed and species are disappearing. The WWF UAE is making sincere efforts to assist in creating protected areas so that biodiversity may be preserved before it is subjected to irretrievable stress and damage.
IIR Chooses ALL AS ONE As Official CSR Summit Charity!
ALL AS ONE provides complete care to Sierra Leone’s most vulnerable children at their facility in Freetown.
All As One was established in 1997 as an international charity. They are a non-governmental organisation registered in Sierra Leone, whose Dubai office is a nonprofit organisation licensed through Dubai International Humanitarian City. Their mission is to respond to the critical dilemma of the orphaned, abandoned, abused and destitute!
Please visit http://www.aaodubai.org/ or http://www.thecsrsummit.com/ to see how you can help!
Dubai Centre For Corporate Values Supports IIR's 5th CSR Summit
The Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority (DTMFZA), the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA) jointly formed the Dubai Centre for Corporate Values (DCCV), the centre that aims to promote the awareness and practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the business sector. DCCV will work to foster the integration of social, cultural and environmental concerns in the business activities of companies in Dubai and beyond.
DCCV will develop a Dubai CSR Model that relates to the UAE’s social and economic environment. The model will be based on international frameworks and guiding principles but would focus on regional socio economic criteria.
The vision of DCCV is:
“CSR is based on the principle of contributing to the welfare of the society and community that companies belong to, which in turn benefits them in the long run,”
Ahmad Bin Byat, Director General of DTMFZA.
“Jointly with our alliance partners, Dubai International Financial Centre seeks to raise the importance of corporate social responsibility in Dubai’s business agenda,”
Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor, Dubai International Financial Centre.
“To foster a strong socio-economic environment in Dubai and the region. Our commitment to corporate social responsibility is an expression of Dubai’s own core social values,”
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, Director General of DAFZA
CSR Middle East Supports IIR's 5th CSR Summit
CSRMiddleEast is a non-profit platform that promotes corporate social responsibility in the region and network of CSR professionals based upon the sharing of CSR solutions and shaping the modern day business.
CSRMiddleEast platform is the leading source of corporate social responsibility and sustainability news, reports and information in Middle East. CSRMiddleEast members are companies and NGOs, agencies and organizations interested in communicating their corporate citizenship, sustainability, and socially responsible initiatives through CSRMiddleEast’s network and weekly CSR Digestives.
CSRMiddleEast content covers issues of Diversity, Philanthropy, Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) Environment, Human Rights, Workplace Issues, Business Ethics, Community Development and Corporate Governance.
Our Vision
- Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility in Middle East Region
- Providing information about CSR issues-Providing expert CSR knowledge to businesses and their stakeholders
- Contributing to the sustainable development of the region -Incorporating Middle East perspectives in the global CSR debate
- Mission to help companies achieve profitability, sustainable growth and human progress by placing corporate social responsibility in the mainstream of business practice.
Contact:
Susanne Emery
contact@csrmiddleeast.org
UNEP 2006 Prize Winner Will Present At IIR's 5th CSR Summit!
Dear CSR Professionals,
We are very proud to announce our new speaker for the upcoming 5th CSR Summit, taking place fom 15-19 June 2008 at JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai, UAE.
Mohamed T. El- Ashry, UNEP's Enviorenmental Champion Prize Winner for 2006, currently serves as a Senior Fellow at the United Nations Foundation. Prior to joining the foundation, Dr. El-Ashry served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). He served as the GEF Chairman between 1991 and 2002, and was appointed the first CEO and Chairman of the GEF in 1994. Under his leadership, GEF grew from a pilot program with less than 30 members to the largest single source of funding for the global environment with 173 member countries. In 2002, donors cast an extraordinary vote of confidence by replenishing GEF's trust fund by nearly $3 billion-the largest amount ever.
Dr. El-Ashry came to the GEF from the World Bank, where he was the Chief Environmental Advisor to the President and Director of the Environment Department. Prior to joining the World Bank, he served as Senior Vice President of the World Resources Institute (WRI) and as Director of Environmental Quality with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). He has held teaching and research positions at Cairo University, Pan-American-U.A.R. Oil Company, Illinois Geological Survey, Wilkes University, and the Environmental Defense Fund. He has also served as Senior Environmental Adviser to UNDP, as Special Adviser to the Secretary General of the 1992 U.N. Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), and as a member of the World Water Commission.
Dr. El-Ashry received his Bachelor od Science degree with honors in 1959 from Cairo University and his doctorate degree in geology in 1966 from the University of Illinois. He has received numerous international awards and honors and is the author of three books and more than 200 papers.
Dr. El-Ashry is a fellow of the Geological Society of America and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is listed in "American Men and Women of Science" and "Men of Achievement".
We are very proud to announce our new speaker for the upcoming 5th CSR Summit, taking place fom 15-19 June 2008 at JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai, UAE.
Mohamed T. El- Ashry, UNEP's Enviorenmental Champion Prize Winner for 2006, currently serves as a Senior Fellow at the United Nations Foundation. Prior to joining the foundation, Dr. El-Ashry served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). He served as the GEF Chairman between 1991 and 2002, and was appointed the first CEO and Chairman of the GEF in 1994. Under his leadership, GEF grew from a pilot program with less than 30 members to the largest single source of funding for the global environment with 173 member countries. In 2002, donors cast an extraordinary vote of confidence by replenishing GEF's trust fund by nearly $3 billion-the largest amount ever.
Dr. El-Ashry came to the GEF from the World Bank, where he was the Chief Environmental Advisor to the President and Director of the Environment Department. Prior to joining the World Bank, he served as Senior Vice President of the World Resources Institute (WRI) and as Director of Environmental Quality with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). He has held teaching and research positions at Cairo University, Pan-American-U.A.R. Oil Company, Illinois Geological Survey, Wilkes University, and the Environmental Defense Fund. He has also served as Senior Environmental Adviser to UNDP, as Special Adviser to the Secretary General of the 1992 U.N. Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), and as a member of the World Water Commission.
Dr. El-Ashry received his Bachelor od Science degree with honors in 1959 from Cairo University and his doctorate degree in geology in 1966 from the University of Illinois. He has received numerous international awards and honors and is the author of three books and more than 200 papers.
Dr. El-Ashry is a fellow of the Geological Society of America and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is listed in "American Men and Women of Science" and "Men of Achievement".
Al Gore's Ambassador To Present At 5th CSR Summit
Dear CSR Professionals,
We can now confirm that Serge de Gheldere, Al Gore's Climate Change Ambassador for Beligum will speak at the upcoming 5th CSR Summit to take place from 15-19 June 2008 at JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai, UAE.
Serge de Gheldere, 36, is ceo of Futureproof/ed, one of the first companies to exclusively focus on products/ services that reconcile sustainability, design and quality.
Serge has a degree of electromechanical engineer from Group T in Leuven (B), with a master in polymer and composites engineering. For his masters thesis, Serge worked for 4 months in Adriaan Beuker’s Advanced Structures and Materials Lab at the faculty of Aerospace engineering of the Technical University Delft. Before co-founding Futureproof/ed, de Gheldere spent seven years as product development engineer at Baxter R&D Europe, where he worked in a global team developing the industry’s first system to eliminate blood-borne pathogens in platelet transfusion products (for which he was awarded two patents).
De Gheldere's insight in product development, materials technology, mechanical and electrical engineering, and manufacturing has proved essential in shaping and growing Futureproof/ed, whose offerings are threefold: 1) Attractive, life-enhancing products with a minimal environmental footprint; 2) Ecological intelligence applied to product and space design; 3) Experience-driven workshops, training programs and consulting to help transform the way things are made.
In addition to his work at futureproof/ed, Serge is currently designer-in-residence in the xDesign program at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Yale University
http://www.futureproofed.com
We can now confirm that Serge de Gheldere, Al Gore's Climate Change Ambassador for Beligum will speak at the upcoming 5th CSR Summit to take place from 15-19 June 2008 at JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai, UAE.
Serge de Gheldere, 36, is ceo of Futureproof/ed, one of the first companies to exclusively focus on products/ services that reconcile sustainability, design and quality.
Serge has a degree of electromechanical engineer from Group T in Leuven (B), with a master in polymer and composites engineering. For his masters thesis, Serge worked for 4 months in Adriaan Beuker’s Advanced Structures and Materials Lab at the faculty of Aerospace engineering of the Technical University Delft. Before co-founding Futureproof/ed, de Gheldere spent seven years as product development engineer at Baxter R&D Europe, where he worked in a global team developing the industry’s first system to eliminate blood-borne pathogens in platelet transfusion products (for which he was awarded two patents).
De Gheldere's insight in product development, materials technology, mechanical and electrical engineering, and manufacturing has proved essential in shaping and growing Futureproof/ed, whose offerings are threefold: 1) Attractive, life-enhancing products with a minimal environmental footprint; 2) Ecological intelligence applied to product and space design; 3) Experience-driven workshops, training programs and consulting to help transform the way things are made.
In addition to his work at futureproof/ed, Serge is currently designer-in-residence in the xDesign program at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Yale University
http://www.futureproofed.com
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Announcing IIR's 5th CSR Summit
Dear CSR Executive,
With the rapid growth of companies in the region, the role and purpose of business is changing! Understanding an organisation’s social impact is essential to the development of effective long term business strategies. Today, almost half of the top 250 companies in the world have well established CSR plans; plans that make social investment the centre of companies’ future growth and success strategies.
IIR’s 5th CSR Summit, taking place from 15-19 June 2008 will explore the need to connect business values with CSR. The Summit will provide ample time for interaction and discussion with CSR innovators and thought leaders. Speakers and delegates will be able to gain the knowledge to effectively monitor, measure and guide their organisation’s relationship with the community and environment.
The 5th CSR Summit will have a special focus on global warming and climate change, and examine how CSR plans can help reduce the carbon footprint and reverse the global warming effect. Scientists and top corporate ambassadors have been invited to participate as speakers at this session and a CEO of one of the world’s largest businesses is also expected to deliver a keynote presentation on corporate planning and global warming.
This innovative Summit will feature five tailor made workshops and two days of presentations and discussion on the latest challenges and issues in corporate social responsibility. In the past years we have played host to senior CSR representatives from Microsoft, Boeing, BAT, Mars GCC, Deutsche Bank, The Body Shop UK and Vodafone, to name but a few.
The 5th CSR Summit will also try to give back to the community by supporting All As One, a local charity organisation helping orphans in Sierra Leone. Last year we donated AED 25,000 and this year we want to double that. We truly hope you will join us and help us to achieve this humanitarian cause in June 2008.
Kindest Regards
Kosta Petrov
Senior Conference Manager
With the rapid growth of companies in the region, the role and purpose of business is changing! Understanding an organisation’s social impact is essential to the development of effective long term business strategies. Today, almost half of the top 250 companies in the world have well established CSR plans; plans that make social investment the centre of companies’ future growth and success strategies.
IIR’s 5th CSR Summit, taking place from 15-19 June 2008 will explore the need to connect business values with CSR. The Summit will provide ample time for interaction and discussion with CSR innovators and thought leaders. Speakers and delegates will be able to gain the knowledge to effectively monitor, measure and guide their organisation’s relationship with the community and environment.
The 5th CSR Summit will have a special focus on global warming and climate change, and examine how CSR plans can help reduce the carbon footprint and reverse the global warming effect. Scientists and top corporate ambassadors have been invited to participate as speakers at this session and a CEO of one of the world’s largest businesses is also expected to deliver a keynote presentation on corporate planning and global warming.
This innovative Summit will feature five tailor made workshops and two days of presentations and discussion on the latest challenges and issues in corporate social responsibility. In the past years we have played host to senior CSR representatives from Microsoft, Boeing, BAT, Mars GCC, Deutsche Bank, The Body Shop UK and Vodafone, to name but a few.
The 5th CSR Summit will also try to give back to the community by supporting All As One, a local charity organisation helping orphans in Sierra Leone. Last year we donated AED 25,000 and this year we want to double that. We truly hope you will join us and help us to achieve this humanitarian cause in June 2008.
Kindest Regards
Kosta Petrov
Senior Conference Manager
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