The Green Paper has highlighted the need to develop innovative finance models building on local businesses’ Corporate Social Responsibility. (Item 1.8 from Green Paper.)
Some commentators have seen CSR as ‘window dressing’, criticising CSR policies in some large Corporations by claiming they merely appear to have a social conscience, but in really they don’t really care. Regardless of the truth or false-hood of these views it would seem sensible to try and encourage any attempt by business to engage in CSR activity. It would also seem sensible to help them by providing clear projects and proposals that they can easily sign up to.
Hopefully this particular Green Paper recommendation will be turned into a action plan which will enable corporate business to link into community groups and organisations and provide them with financial or other necessary support.
It might also be a good idea to try and expand the vision behind CSR options in the way that Business in the Community is seeking to do by linking into the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, thereby aligning our Birmingham-centric ambitions within the context of a much wider international endeavour.
The United Nations Millennium Development Goals are:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger;
2. Achieve universal primary education;
3. Promote gender equality and empower women;
4. Reduce child mortality;
5. Improve maternal health;
6. Combat HIV, AIDS, malaria & other diseases;
7. Ensure environmental sustainability;
8. Develop a global partnership for development.
Birmingham City Council’s is currently consulting about its proposed Birmingham Business Charter for Social Responsibility. The charter will determine the policies that businesses will need to follow to be part of the council’s supply chain in the future.
This is your chance to say what you think about the draft charter before it’s formally adopted. Check it out at:-
http://www.finditinbirmingham.com/News/New-Charter-For-Council-Suppliers-Have-Your-Say-3734.aspx
