3503656 Ekram Kabirs Articles on Corporate Social Responsibility in Bangladesh

8/11/2019 3503656 Ekram Kabirs Articles on Corporate Social Responsibility in Bangladesh

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How Shell protects the environmentEkram Kabir

In March 1997, international oil giant, Shell, published a statement of General BusinessPrinciples, translated into 34 different languages !his statement recogni"ed that the compan# is

accountable to fi$e t#pes of sta%eholder& shareholders, customers, emplo#ees, those 'ith 'homthe compan# does business and societ#

!'o significant changes 'ere made to the pre$ious statement of principles !he first 'as acommitment to the concept of sustainable de$elopment and the second 'as recogni"ing a dut# tosupport the upholding of basic human rights !hus, the compan# defines its responsibilities to thesociet# In the follo'ing lines( )to conduct business as responsible corporate members of societ#,to obser$e the la's of the countries in 'hich the# operate, to e*press support for fundamentalhuman rights in line 'ith the legitimate role of business and to gi$e proper regard to health,safet# and the en$ironment consistent 'ith their commitment to contribute to sustainablede$elopment+

Shell claims to be the first multinational to ma%e such a commitment to human rights !hen, in

March 199, the group brought out a publication titled, )-limate -hange . /hat does Shell thin%and do about it+ In this, Shell authorities said that the# belie$ed in prudent precautionar#measures, and that emissions limits for greenhouse gases set in 0#oto pro$ided the necessar#signals to encourage such measures

In pril 199, Shell 2il in the nited States 'ithdre' from the Global -limate -oalition G--5Shell 2il+s membership in the G-- had been a contro$ersial one as the G-- acti$el# campaignsagainst legall# binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions as 'ell as ratification of the 0#otoProtocol, 'hich has set such targets, b# the S go$ernment

/ith regard to compan# responsibilit# to support human rights, Brian nderson, a formermanaging director of SP6-, spo%e openl# in support of the 2goni 19, campaigners for the rightsof the 2goni people 'ho 'ere being held in prison, and his successor, on $an den Berg, hasbeen continuing in the same $ein

83 report of the compan# loo%s at the progress the Shell has made on en$ironmental andcorporate responsibilit# issues

Shell thin%s its products ha$e to be safe for people and the en$ironment nfortunatel#, use ofanimals in laborator# testing is sometimes necessar#, either because it is re:uired b# la', orbecause there is no accepted alternati$e to it ;nerg# and petrochemical companies are relati$el#minor users of animals is such e*periments Shell uses officiall# appro$ed facilities and datasho' that it does not test on cats, dogs or mon%e#s Shell has committed funding and staff time toorgani"ations 'or%ing to de$elop alternati$es significant proportion of Shell+s animal testing iscarried out through industr# consortia groups of co=ilecompan# is committed to 'or%ing together 'ith the communit# to limit these disruptions

In 88, Shell continued to ma%e progress at @orco < its refiner# and petrochemical plant inAouisiana, S


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0aren /estle#, Shell =oundation Programme Manager sa#s( Pro$idint, access to modem energ#sa$es li$es !'o million people


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Businesses giving back to the societyEkram Kabir

-orporate Social esponsibilit# -S5 is a relati$el# ne' and rapidl# de$eloping phenomenon Itis the commitment of business to contribute to sustainable economic de$elopment, 'or%ing 'ith

emplo#ees, their families, the local communit# and societ# at large to impro$e their :ualit# oflife

But then -S is not onl# simpl# a communalit# acti$it#, although this is the most $isible part ofit, sa#s 6a$id =letcher, the chief e*ecuti$e officer of Standard -hartered Ban%, Bangladesh,'hile tal%ing to !he =;, adding -S is also about the core $alues and ethics of an organisation

It, therefore, in$ol$es e$er# emplo#ee, e*plains the Stan-hart chief in Bangladesh ccordingto him, the field of responsible business practice is one of the most rapidl# e$ol$ing andchallenging sub?ects facing corporates toda# -ompanies no' ha$e to build shareholder $alue'hile balancing the increasing social, ethical and en$ironmental e*pectations of the societ#, hee*plained

In short, companies toda# ha$e to ma%e profits 'ith principles, 'hich 'ill e$entuall# need

companies to be more transparent nd 'hat is more, there is a realisation that being responsiblecan actuall# be good for a compan#>s reputation and for business

But is -S reall# needed in a de$eloping countr# li%e BangladeshD 6a$id thin%s that a sociall#responsible business en$ironment is as much needed in Bangladesh as an#'here else, as he sa#s(In Bangladesh, the societ# should get e$en a greater le$el of commitment from business Lou see-S is about business gi$ing bac% to the societ# In de$eloping countries li%e Bangladesh 'heresocial institutions are still e$ol$ing, the corporate entities ha$e to sho' more commitment!herefore, there is all the more reason 'h# 'e need gro'ing a'areness about, and emphasis on,-S in countries li%e Bangladesh

!here, of course, 'as all old concept of -S But this is changing in Bangladesh It is changing,6a$id sa#s, but not as fast as it is changing in other countries Businesses no' realise that social

commitment brings recognitionll companies need to consider their -S for t'o basic reasons =irstl#, because there isintensif#ing pressure from all sta%eholders to do so n# compan# that does not de$elop andpromote its -S polic# to all its sta%eholders 'ill face increasing threats to its reputationSecondl#, because it ma%es a sound business sense, enhances reputation, brings in ne' businessand impro$es sta%eholder return, the Stan-hart -;2 in Bangladesh said

Ce adds( -S is something that cannot be made more successful b# passin8 regulations I thin%more and more companies should come for'ard 'ith -S imitati$e from 'ithin to set e*amplesfor others to follo' !he go$ernment can encourage -S initiati$es through recognition a'ardsor ta* benefits, etc /hat is more, the go$ernment should encourage companies to be moretransparent about their codes of conduct, emplo#ment practices, etc !he# are alread# loo%ingfor'ard to doing this and this should be encouraed

Standard -hartered Ban% is serious about -S !his is dri$en from its Group office !here is aspecial office in the 0, 'hich loo%s after -S and ensures its implementation in all countries'here the Ban% operates lit each countr#, the -;2 is responsible for -S implementation

2ur -hairman and the Group -;2 personall# ta%e interest in -S acti$ities and are accountableto the Board Board =or more in formation on our -S, #ou can $isit our 'ebsite'''standardcharteredcom, 6a$id sa#s

Stan-hart+s -S acti$ities are of t'o t#pes 2ne t#pe includes communit# de$elopment centredaround health, education and #outh Stan-hart encourages its emplo#ees to ta%e o'nership ofsuch pro?ects and get in$ol$ed in these acti$ities In Bangladesh, Stan-hart has a number of
http://www.standardchartered.com/http://www.standardchartered.com/


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communit# acti$ities amongst 'hich is its in$ol$ement in Island ;#e Cospital at a significantle$el

J/e are building Standard -hartered 2peration !heatre and -hildren+s /ard in Islamia and alsosponsoring Primar# ;#e -are !raining through Sight Sa$ers International,K 6a$id sa#s, adding(JIn 83, 'e are hoping to impart training to about 7, health 'or%ers 2ur emplo#ees are alsodonating their one da#+s salar# plus additional amounts for restoring e#e


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When employees, consumers and societies meetEkram Kabir

/hen Indian 'omen 'ere getting the Miss /orld and Miss ni$erse a'ards one after another,Bangladeshi 'omen had nothing else but to 'o'ing at their achie$ements But 'hen Au* Miss

Photogenic programme 'as introduced b# the Ae$er Brothers Bangladesh Aimited ABBA5, thedreams of Bangladeshi 'omen came true partiall# !he# no' ha$e an #earl# competition, 'herethe prettiest female face is glorified

!his is one of the e*amples of the ABBA+s corporate social responsibilities -S5 nd in$ol$ingpeople in business is possible 'hen a compan# li%e the ABBA 'hich belie$es that its purpose isto meet the e$er#da# needs of people e$er#'here It has to anticipate the aspirations of itsconsumers and customers and to respond creati$el# and competiti$el# 'ith branded products andser$ices 'hich raises the :ualit# of life

!he ABBA belie$es success re:uires the highest standards of corporate beha$iour to'ards itsemplo#ees, consumers and societies in 'hich it operates

!his is the compan#+s road to a sustainable and profitable gro'th of business and long


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Aifebuo# =riendship Cospital, the flagship pro?ect of =riendship sponsored b# Aifebuo#, hascompleted its one


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Diversity is both a challenge and a responsibility

Experience of TotalFinaElf in more than 120 countries

Ekram Kabir

s a global pla#er in the energ# and chemicals industries, !otal=ina;lf is engaged 'ithsustainable de$elopment issues !hierr# 6esmarest, the -hairman and -hief ;*ecuti$e 2fficer,sa#s in !otal=ina;lf+s -orporate Social esponsibilit# -S5 report( !he $er# nature of our oil,gas and chemicals operations has long re:uired us to factor en$ironmental, social and culturalparameters into our industrial pro?ects /ithout this comprehensi$e approach, 'e 'ould not ha$ebeen able to integrate or succeed in di$ersified, often comple* situations !his is the reason, fore*ample, for our 'ells term e*pires each #ear !he -ommittees main tas%s are to( promote theshared $alues and action principles in the -ode of -onduct to emplo#ees and people outside!otal=ina;lf, ensure that the -ode is understood and implemented, and pro$ide emplo#ees 'iththe assistance the# need to resol$e ethical issues that ma# arise in the course of business


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!he modern societ# is increasingl# turning its attention to en$ironmental ste'ardship, industrialris%s and public health concerns Such issues are the focus of !otal=ina;lf+s sustainablede$elopment process !his incorporates ambitious ob?ecti$es for reducing en$ironmentalpollution and conser$ing energ# and natural resources as 'ell as initiati$es to reduce the healthimpact of its operations

!he safet# of people and plants is another priorit# of the group !his priorit# is dri$ingimpro$ements in the management of technological ris%s, an ob?ecti$e embraced b# all emplo#ees

t the same time, to meet gro'ing energ# demand, !otal=ina;lf continuousl# inno$ates in a 'ide$ariet# of fields, such as e*tending the lifetime of oil and natural gas reser$es, enhancingreco$er# from mature fields de$eloping hea$# oils, and e*ploring the deep offshore In theinterests of di$ersif#ing the energ# s#stem, it is also acti$el# de$eloping rene'able energies

!otal=ina;lf commits significant technical resources and confronts ma?or en$ironmental, social,economic and geopolitical challenges 'here$er it operates 2il and gas fields are often located incountries 'here the socio


9/55

HSBC at the orerontEkram Kabir

If holding 'or%shop oil mone# laundering pre$ention is a social responsibilit#, the Cong%ong andShanghai Ban%ing -orporation CSB-5 Aimited in Bangladesh has done a plent# of it CSB-, in

association 'ith Bangladesh Ban%>s ntis commitment ma%ing contributions to charitable e$ents at organisations, this contributionto the ed -ross 'ill pro$e beneficial to the unfortunate $ictims of the cold 'a$e and help the$er# need# of the countr#

In the same month, CSB- assisted in organising and conducting a series of acti$ities for thepublic at the -entre for the ehabilitation of the Paral#sed -P5 in Sa$ar to raise a'arenessabout road safet#, promote the 'or% of the -PP as 'ell as pro$ide an en?o#able da# for -P

residents!he CSB- -;2 inaugurated the e$ent b# planting a tree at the ne' 14,4 s:uare feet medicinalplant herbarium nder its global )In$esting in @ature> Programme, CSB- pro$ided seedlings to tile herbarium pro?ect, 'hich 'ill offer -P a potential income source as supplier ofmedicinal herbs, a bios more to the ban%>s contribution in the countr#>s en$ironment sector s part of its donationand communit# sponsorship programme for 81, the CSB- ga$e a che:ue for !a%a 18, tothe Bangladesh -entre for d$anced Studies B-S5 in 81 to help spread en$ironmenta'areness among children in the primar# education sector of Bangladesh

Mean'hile, this #ear, CSB- has adopted the ;:uator Principles to help the Group assess theen$ironmental and social impact of commercial lending proposals !his 'ill reinforce the ban%>slong established en$ironmental and social ris% e$aluation process and its position as one of theleading companies in en$ironmental impact management !he ;:uator Principles are a set of$oluntar# guidelines de$eloped b# ma?or international ban%s, that establish a commonframe'or% to address the en$ironmental and social issues that arise 'hile financing pro?ects !heguidelines also attempts at ensuring that the# are reali"ed according to sound en$ironmentalmanagement practices

In 1998, CSB- became a founder signator# of the @ ;n$ironment Programme+s Statement b#=inancial Institutions on the ;n$ironment and Sustainable 6e$elopment In 81, it became acorporate member of the @ Global -ompact that challenges companies to demonstrate progressin supporting and ad$ancing its principles in three areas . labour standards, human rights anden$ironmental responsibilit#
http://so-ciety.in/http://so-ciety.in/


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CSB->s In$esting in @ature programme, a E million partnership 'ith //=, Botanic Gardens-onser$ation International BG-I5 and ;arth'atch, demonstrates its commitment to theen$ironment It 'ill clean up three ri$ers, benefiting million people 'ho depend upon them,help sa$e 8, rare plant species from e*tinction,

long 'ith helping the blind, the CSB- donated !% 8, to S- /omen>s ssociation illSeptember last Interestingl#, it donated mone# in photograph# !he bati% donated !% ,ooo to>2ut of =ocus>, a group of 11 #oung underpri$ileged photographers supported b# 6I0 since1994

2ut of =ocus> has arranged se$eral e*hibitions ill Bangladesh and o$erseas, the# are also in thebusiness of pro$iding photograph#, $ideo and e*hibition support ser$ices

!he CSB- is also at the forefront in gi$ing out a'ards =ollo'ing enthusiastic responses o$er thepast three #ears, the 4th CSB- Loung I! ;ntrepreneur 'ards 'as launched last month to inspirecreati$it# among #oung people in Cong0ong and culti$ate their interest ill entrepreneurship Inugust this #ear, it agreed to grant C067 million in scholarships, bursaries and otherde$elopment a'ards to 3 students for the current academic #ear

!he a'ards co$er a 'ide range of studies and include scholarships and bursaries, a one


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e!overnment or better productivityEkram Kabir

eports from Srinagar said last !hursda# that Indian state of Nammu and 0ashmir had ?ustbecome that countr#>s second state after ndhra Pradesh, to introduce $ideo conferencing facilit#

and eGo$emance in go$ernment administration !he facilities are e*pected to help impro$eefficienc#, and ensure effecti$e monitoring and super$ision of 'or%s in all the regions of thestate

In phases, the Indian go$ernment 'ould e*tend the facilit# to all district head:uarters in the stateIt is e*pected to help the senior officers at Secretariat to monitor de$elopment schemes at districtle$el, listen to public grie$ances and interact 'ith locals It 'ould also cut administration>s tra$eltime and costs besides bringing efficienc# in 'or% culture and enabling departments to follo' upcases 'ith -entral go$ernment ministries

!his is ho' the go$ernment in that countr# is tr#ing to offer better public ser$ices throughego$ernance India is not alone in this field ;$en the technologicall# de$eloped countries, 'hichha$e started the process of introducing ego$ernance, are still tr#ing to impro$e the s#stem b#

offering more up competiti$e

!he problem in Bangladesh is that its public administration suffers from the lac% of producti$it#

Information and communication technologies I-!5 can help them to cope 'ith this challenge Indoing so, the focus should not be on I-! itself Instead, it should be oil the use of I-! combined'ith organisational change and ne' s%ills 'ith a $ie' to impro$ing public ser$ices, democraticprocesses and public policies !his is called eGo$ernment

eGo$ernment is not a goal in it self It is a tool for public sector reform, enabling the public sectorto strengthen good go$ernance in the %no'ledge


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competiti$e B# eGo$ernment, one can cut the red tape that is bothering companies Increasedproducti$it# means more time for personal contact, less standing in line, less time in front of thescreen

fe' e*amples of increased producti$it# and efficienc# are(

!he national public procurement agenc# in 6enmar% has double its producti$el# and

completel# eliminated complaints, through electronic tendering !he omanian national procurement s#stem reports sa$ings of 8 per cent

!he S'edish Hirtual -ustoms 2ffice processes 9 per cent of all declarations electronicall#

and deals through automated clearance for 7 percent of the declarations 'ithin threeminutes

ccordingl# eGo$ernment has a pro$en trac% record that it can help public administrations to become more producti$e and offer personali"ed ser$ices for all, in an open and transparent 'a# Itscan go gar be#ond bringing ser$ices online, pro$ided that public administrations adapts theirorgani"ation and ac:uire ne' s%ills

/hat is needed in Bangladesh is a change of mindset to'ards a public ser$ice that puts theciti"ens at the center !he public administration should be enabled to be an acti$e contributor toeconomic and societal progress Political leadership and commitment are essential, in order to%eep the longer term $ision in mind 2nl# a handful of I! managers 'on+t do& Bangladesh needseBureaucrats


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"roiting some more rom the society#Ekram Kabir

!he adoption of corporate social responsibilit# -S5 b# companies could he seen in terms oftheir 'illingness to do e*actl# 'hat the consumers pa# for < b# ma%ing the business more

successful and more competiti$e !hrough this process, one can boost the organisational goals

-ompanies contribute a lot of mone# in games and sports as part of their -S initiati$es But,man# 'ould :uestion their ob?ecti$es sorganisational goalD Some corporate gurus sa# that both can be true

!here is no dearth of sports fans in tile 'orld 'ho set up their schedules according to the dates ofimportant sports tournaments, 'ho read sports pages e$er#da#, and tune in to sports sho's ontele$ision and radio to learn more about their fa$ourite sports personalities

Sports are en?o#ed b# millions of people all o$er the 'orld Sports industr# is a big business nestimate sa#s total re$enues generated b# sports in the S and -anada from tic%et sales topurchases of sports e:uipment5 'ere more than E1bn in 199, and rose to E1Fbn b# the turnof the centur# It 'as estimated that, b# 8, @orth merican firms 'ere spending E13bn on

ad$ertising through sports alone 'hile global sports ad$ertising reached E43bn

!he tele$ision rights to the S @ational =ootball Aeague for 199s total sales in the S 'ere E473bn iii 1994 EFm came through Michael Nordan brandedbas%etball shoes alone In 1993, @i%e spent almost E9m on ad$ertising and mar%eting

=ootball is often branded people>s game, #et for man#, attending an#, premiere tournament issimpl# be#ond their means !he -helsea $ersus ston Hilla game in ;ngland at the beginning of199F


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Aeisure is seen b# man# as, something distinct from 'or%, something to be earned as recompensefor a )fair da#+s 'or%+ @o' 'ouldn+t putting mone# in games and sports be commodif#ing anddistorting the desire for escape and real human contact, 'hich dra's people to sports in the firstplaceD =or instance, one of the oftenunfreeacti$it#> !he rationalit# of production, based on commodit# e*change, reduces all indi$idualit#to a minimum It organises and controls people not onl# in their 'or% but also in their leisure

nother e*pert said( musement in ad$anced capitalism is the e*tension of 'or% It is soughtafter b# those 'ho 'ish to escape the mechanised 'or% process in order to be able to face itagain !he promise of sport is the liberation of the bod#, he said, humiliated b# economicinterests, the return to the bod# of a part of the functions of 'hich it has been depri$ed b#industrial societ#

Sports ideolog#, li%e all ideologies, conceals the real structure of producti$e and social relations!his ideolog# ma%es people belie$e that sportsmen and sports'omen are free and e:ual !hisran%s them into different grades and categories !he hero, according to this ideolog#, is one 'hois self, 'ho achie$es great heights on the basis of hisher merit and through hisher o'nefforts !he message that is being transferred to people is that an#one can ma%e it to the ton

!he realit#, ho'e$er, is different !eenagers, 'ho become professional football pla#ers, are notnecessaril# the >best> or >most talented> pla#ers !he# are often those that are most prepared toaccept the tight discipline and intensi$e training demanded of them 6iscipline and training inmodern sports often e:ual a massi$e distortion of the human bod#, 'hich can lead to all sorts ofhorrors

In a po'erful indictment of the 'orld of 'omen>s g#mnastics and figure s%ating, Noan #an

reports in !he Guardian of Aondon( /hat I found 'as a stor# about legal, e$en celebrated childabuse In the dar% troughs along the road to the 2l#mpics la# the bodies of the girls 'ho stumbledon the 'a#, bro%en b# the 'or%, pressure and humiliation 1 found a girl 'hose father left thefamil# 'hen she :uit g#mnastics at the age of 13, 'ho scraped her arms and legs 'ith ra"ors todull her emotional pain and 'ho needed a t'o

@o', 'hat is -S to li%e NH-, =u?i and -anonD ren+t the# selling more, sa#, tele$ision, sets,'hen the# are contribution mone# in a 'orld


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$ welcome step to make %&Cs legally accountableEkram Kabir

!he @ subs Global -ompact, 'hichlists human rights as one of the nine principles to 'hich signatories must commit

-S and human rights issues feature prominentl# on the agenda of the /orld ;conomic =orum/;=5 number of large, 'ell


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Man# companies still claim that human rights do not appl# to them because go$ernments, notcompanies, sign treaties ;$en as the role and influence of companies ha$e been increasing inpeople>s e$er#da# li$es, a concomitant s#stem for ensuring their accountabilit# has been missing,ma%ing companies, particularl# M@-S, a special breed !he# commanded authorit# but lac%edresponsibilit#& the# controlled $ast resources but did not ha$e so$ereignt# !he# operated in agre# "one at the international le$el 'here rules 'ere unclear and control 'as difficult rguabl#,

the# could do 'hat the# 'anted and got a'a# 'ith it& or the# could choose not to do 'hat the#ought to do because the# had no clear legal obligation

But, as 'orld business and political leaders gathered in 6a$os, S'it"erland, for the 33rd annual/;=, a coalition of en$ironmental, de$elopment, labour and human rights groups released a ?ointreport !he report documents the irresponsible en$ironmental, labour and human rights practicescommitted b# ;**onMobil, @i%e, Mc6onald>s, nocal, 6oe un, =reeport McMoran and@e'mont Mining Some of the practices described in the report are(

R 9 per cent of children in Aa 2ro#a, Peru, the site of a lead smeltering facilit# o'ned b# StAouis based 6oe un, ha$e bloodlead le$els abo$e acceptable le$els, and 8 per cent ha$e le$elsso high the# should re:uire hospitalis Capp# Meal to#s emplo#s 13< #ear


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When ideals do not match deedsEkram Kabir

relati$el# ne' and rapidl# de$eloping phenomenon, corporate social responsibilit# -S5, isprimaril# about businesses ploughing bac% a part of their profit for the 'elfare of the societ#

-S is also a commitment of businesses to contribute to sustainable economic de$elopment and'or% 'ith emplo#ees and their families, the local communit# and the societ# to impro$e the:ualit# of life

/hen a business pa#s bac% to the societ#, 'hat is or 'hat should be the nature of this processD6o -Ss al'a#s ha$e to be charit#D 2r should -Ss mean the o$erall de$elopment of thesociet#D 2ne of the best e*amples that can be cited for this is the Mc6onald>s s announced ne' global health#lifest#le initiati$es, including a commitment to de$elop ne' Capp# Meal options, theestablishment of an e*pert d$isor# -ouncil on Cealth# Ai$es, and collaborations 'ith the /orldCealth 2rganisation and the S 6epartment of Cealth and Cuman Ser$ices to help educateconsumers about the role of nutrition and fitness for maintaining good health

s far as -S initiati$es are concerned, this certainl# is a $er# big step ta%en b# the S foodgiant !here are man# such companies 'hich ha$e, of late, become conscious of the 'ells, Burger 0ing, /end#>s, and 0entuc%# =ried -hic%en had misled consumers b#enticing them 'ith greas#, salt#, and sugar# meals !he food giants came out of the la't cause an# disease

In 1997, mericans spent more than E4 billion on 14bn gallons of soft drin% !he a$erageteenage bo# gulped do'n 19 o" dail# s central ner$ous s#stem as 'ell as immune s#stem and are confirmed carcinogens2rganophosphorus pesticide is highl# dangerous for mothers


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de$elopment, build infrastructures, raise funds for sic% and the disabled etc Cere lies thecontradictions Co' 'ould the societ# benefit from a corporation>s social responsibilit# 'hen itsproducts are ad$ersel# affection people>s healthD

!his merits e*tensi$e stud# and anal#sis -S acti$ities of arms producing corporations < li%eSmith O /esson etc < also call for comprehensi$e anal#sis Aocated mostl# in the /est, thearms


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"reparing a roadmap or the poorestEkram Kabir

t the 6a$os /orld ;conomic =orum in 1999, @ General Secretar# 0ofi nnan called uponmultinational companies to promote and respect human rights and decent labour and en$irons call 6anHaselia, President and -hief ;*ecuti$e 2fficer of @o$artis, 'as also one of them 'ho 'elcomednnan>s call for a Global -ompact bet'een the @ and the inter< national pri$ate sector topromote human rights, better labour conditions, and en$ironmental protection

@o$artis has thus endorsed the promotion and obser$ance of these basic rights It has officiall#?oined the Global -ompact, as its Global -ompact5 nine principles are integral part of abusiness>s social responsibilit#

/hile supporting the Global -ompact, the @o$artis =oundation for Sustainable 6e$elopment hasso far been in$ol$ed mainl# in t'o areas( a5 support for sustainable lepros# It emplo#s measuresthat de$elopment in poor countries of the southern hemisphere through concrete de$elopment

cooperation& and b5 contribution to de$elopment polic# discussions, b# elaborating andpro$iding scientific anal#ses and b# organising public e$ents

!he second area of acti$it# sho's that @o$artis aims to impro$e people>s li$ing conditions notonl# through specific de$elopment support at the local le$el, but also b# becoming in$ol$ed inthe de$elopment polic# discussions at the national and international le$els Its de$elopmentcooperation aims to bring about a change in order to impro$e the conditions of life for poorpeople It means inter$ention in the e*isting social conditions and traditions to strengthen thoseforces that promote the re:uired impro$ements @o$artis> pro?ects and programmes are adapted tolocal conditions

@o$artis> main priorit# in the healthcare sector is to support de$eloping countries in combatinglepros# It emplo#s measures that complement efforts made b# de$eloping countries and theinternational communit# in tac%ling the disease Its 'or% includes( destigrmatising lepros#

through inno$ati$e social mar%eting strategies& establishing appropriate ser$ices for earl#diagnosis and cure, as 'ell as the ph#sical, ps#chological and social rehabilitation of peoplesuffering from lepros#& dissemination of basic e*perience and problem< sol$ing approachesassociated 'ith impro$ing access to multiple drug therap#& and strengthening the organisationaland management abilities of health


20/55

In man# de$eloping countries, the social s#stem is characterised b# a stratification based not onl#on gender, but also on class ural Bangladesh presents an especiall# pronounced socialhierarch#, the economic and political po'er, is rooted primaril# in the o'nership of land@o$artis found that the uppermost class, possessing fi$e acres or more of land, accounts for onl#about per cent of all rural households in the countr#, #et it controls almost 4 per cent of allthe culti$able land

!his depiction of the @G2 landscape is problem


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'mproving the (uality o human lieEkram Kabir

Gla*oSmit%0line GS05 is one of the 'orld>s leading pharmaceutical companies Its global :uestis to impro$e the :ualit# of human life b# enabling people to do more, feel better and li$e longer

GS0>s strategic intent is to become the indisputable leader in the industr# < not simpl# in terms ofsi"e, but also ho' it uses that si"e to achie$e its mission !hrough its Global -ommunit#Partnerships function and -orporate 6onations -ommittee, GS0 partners 'ith and supportsorganisations 'hose goals and ob?ecti$es reflect its mission of impro$ing the :ualit# of humanlife

!he programme to eliminate l#mphatic filariasis is an initiati$e 'ith a bold ob?ecti$e( to eliminatefilariasis as a public health problem b# the #ear 88 /ith more than one billion people at ris% inabout countries, l#mphatic filariasis is one of the leading causes of disabilit# in the 'orld

It is estimated that more than 3F million adults and children are li$ing 'ith CIHI6S 'ithappro*imatel# 1, more people being infected each da# Globall#, more than 81 millionpeople ha$e died from I6S, resulting in 138 million orphaned children GS0 has a histor# of

contributing to the fight against CIHI6S through the research and de$elopment of medicines totreat the disease Let it recognises that additional initiati$es are needed to intensif# and acceleratethe response to MH I6S

Positi$e ction is GS0>s international programme of CIH education, care and communit#support !hrough the programme, GS0 'or%s in partnership 'ith indi$iduals, communit# groups,healthcare pro$iders, go$ernments, international agencies and others, in order to pursue thecommon goals of more effecti$e CIH pre$ention, education, enhanced care and support forpeople li$ing 'ith, or affected b# CIHI6S Since its inception in 1998, Positi$e ction hassupported and implemented a 'ide $ariet# of pro?ects at both national and international le$els

round 4 per cent of the 'orld>s population are at ris% from malaria and e$er# #ear up to 3million people, the ma?orit# of them children under fi$e #ears, die as a result of the disease !hefrican Malaria Partnership @!5 is GS0>s malaria communit# partnership programme Its aim

is to de$elop effecti$e malaria control beha$iours in frican communities frica has been chosenas the focus for the programme because the greatest disease burden and the $ast ma?orit# ofmalaria deaths occur on the continent SE1 million in grants 'ill be shared bet'een threeprogrammes o$er three #ears !he aim is to bridge the gap bet'een successful pilot programmesand 'ider


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children 'ith the aim of reducing diarrhoea


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'mproving people)s livesBy Ekram Kabir

-orporate responsibilit#, as nocal sa#s, is fundamental to its core $alues !he compan#>s $isionis to impro$e the li$es of people 'here$er 'e 'or% b# promoting economic self


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!he compan# is funding a targeted epidemic control pro?ect under the International -entre for6iarrhoeal 6isease esearch Bangladesh I-66, B5 in the S#lhet area and other parts of thecountr# !he pro?ect monitors and controls outbrea%s of epidemics in these areas, maintains asur$eillance s#stem for cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases and assists the Ministr# of Cealth incontrolling morbidit# and mortalit# due to diarrhea

In 0ulaura, nocal has assisted the -entre for the ehabilitation of the Paral#sed -P5 in refurs Missionaries of -harit# organisation Its emplo#ees also helped to distribute blan%ets,mos:uito nets and clothing to homeless people in S#lhet

!o support local cultural acti$ities, nocal has contributed to the Cabigan? Music and rtscadem# !he compan# has also sponsored a #outh cric%et coaching camp in S#lhet that 'asorgani"ed 'ith assistance from the Bangladesh -ric%et Board

Aast #ear, nocal entered into long


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Catering or unmet needsEkram Kabir

=u?i Photo =ilm S, Inc has been a corporate citi"en of the S since 19F 6uring that time, as=u?i has gro'n and prospered as a corporation, it has tried to pa# bac% to its communities through

sociall#s beaut# and en$ironmental resources sothe# ma# be passed on to future generations !o maintain =u?i>s commitment to the en$ironment,it follo's the educe, euse, and ec#cle motto s a result, it has( a reduced the amount ofsil$er used in color negati$e film b# more than half, and in color print paper b# about t'os first public par%, =u?ifilm donated and planted 41 cherr# trees at the0ensico 6am Pla"a in Halhalla, @L =u?i Cunt olling Meado's, IA 'as one of fi$e chemicalcompanies to recei$e the S ;n$ironmental Protection genc#>s @ational ;n$ironmental

Performance !rac% chie$ement 'ard=u?ifilm belie$es in the po'er of art to delight and inform s a result, it supports man# culturalacti$ities and programmes It hopes its contributions inspire all people < #oung and old < to ne'le$els of creati$e e*pression and communication

!he compan# ser$es as a %e# sponsor of the annual free @e' Lor% Philharmonic outdoor concertperformed in /estchester -ount# !his e$ent dra's an estimated audience of 3, people each#ear from all o$er the @e' Lor% -it# metropolitan area It sponsors Nammin> 'ith Nimm#, anannual fund


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In its local communities, =u?ifilm pro$ides ongoing support to health and human ser$ices thatenhance the :ualit# of life for people of all ages It contributes to programmes that assist theelderl#, fight hunger and po$ert#, and address the unmet health needs of children

!o meet unmet needs of children in the @e' Lor% area, =u?ifilm has made a fi$es Cospital and @e' !rauma -entre of the/estchester Medical -entre !his state


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'n the corporate hot water#Ekram Kabir

!he -hristian id report in Nanuar# on corporate social responsibilit#, Behind the Mas% of-orporate esponsibilit#, seems to ha$e opened up a stream of criticisms against big corporations

on their corporate conducts and business ethics It has also led the media in Southern hemisphereto co$er -S issues 'ith a greater focus

Aast month, corporate 'eb

!he report co$ers places in Me*ico, -hina and !hailand, and sa#s that -=26 has disco$ered arange of breaches, including unsafe 'or%ing conditions, compulsor# o$ertime, illegall# lo' pa#and depri$ation of basic entitlements

!he genc# said that the companies named all had codes of conduct for labour standards that fellbelo' @ standards IBM, for instance, 'as highlighted as failing to include pro$isions co$ering

the use of forced or child labour Co'e$er, IBM said in a statement( /e are ta%ing steps toreinforce this 'ith the suppliers, including updating our supplier agreement to include ne'language that specificall# prohibits them from discriminating against emplo#ees and applicantsfor emplo#ment because of race, colour, religion, se*, age, national origin or an# other legall#protected status

Mean'hile, IBM 0orea officials ha$e been charged 'ith corruption =ort#s South 0orean affiliate, IBM 0orea, had 'on Eni in contractsfrom go$ernment allegedl# through briber# !he compan# has admitted that the actions too%place, and e*pressed regret o$er the incident

2n the other hand, Ce'lett Pac%ard has 'on a discrimination la'suit in San =rancisco, S,

'here an emplo#ee that had been sac%ed for not supporting policies on di$ersit# had claimedreligious discrimination ichard Peterson, a longs commitment to di$ersit# that featured an emplo#ee 'ho 'as ga# Ceresponded b# posting a public notice, dra'n from Isaiah in the Bible, declaring homose*ualit# asa sin

CP had ta%en the posters do'n, but said that it had ne$er re:uired the litigant to change hisreligious beliefs < onl# to sho' due respect and tolerance to coclean rooms> < a dust


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acti$ities nd the a'areness on these issues are being increasingl# felt in the corporate corridorsacross the 'orld

!his is precisel# the reason 'h# the -;2 of Ce'letts -onfederation of British Industr# that compan# directors ha$e tolead b# e*ample in the 'a%e of the collapse of ;nron eferring to the spate of business scandalsthat began 'ith ;nron, she said( It is greed pure and simple


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$ year o soul*searchingEkram Kabir

More companies across the 'orld prepared and produced social and en$ironmental reports in83 than in 88 !he #ear 83 'as also a #ear 'hen ne' tools and standards appeared 'ith

the nited @ations @orms on corporate social responsibilit# -S5 83 has been :uite ane$entful #ear for those in$ol$ed in, 'hat some corporate gurus sa#, the mo$ement for -S

!he #ear 'as full of scandals and setbac%s, contro$ersies and debates t the start of 83, the@i%e $s 0as%# case got into full s'ing 'hen the S Supreme -ourt agreed to re$ie' the-alifornia -ourt>s decision !he shoe and apparel giant 'as appealing that it can be sued for falsead$ertising o$er a publicit# campaign it used to defend itself against accusations that its foot'ear'as made in sian s'eatshops

Man# companies 'atched that a range of organisations that championed the principles behindopen disclosure 'eighed in to lobb# for the case to be defeated

In ;thiopia, @estlQ settled its claim against the go$ernment, agreeing to ta%e onl# E1m insteadof the EF2m it had initiall# demanded, and then immediatel# donating the sum to famine relief

in that countr# !he compan# had recei$ed a lot of negati$e publicit# for its action, although itstuc% to its principle that a go$ernment should not be sent the signal that it can simpl# mo$e inand nationalise a compan#>s operations 'ith no compensation 'hatsoe$er It had a strong point s econom#& the farmers 'ere the main producers at that time

/ith the change in global business en$ironment o$er the past decades, big corporations are no'steering the economies in almost e$er# countr# long 'ith them came the corporate socialresponsibilit#, popularl# %no'n as -S all o$er the 'orld -orporate houses in the de$elopedcountries ha$e engaged themsel$es in the -S acti$ities in a massi$e manner Bangladesh, also,'ould not remain outside this fold for too long It 'ould ha$e to fall in the pattern of globalbusiness

2ne of the most fre:uentl# as%ed :uestions in toda#>s business is( 'hat does the -S meanan#'a#D Is it onl# ploughing some of the mone# bac% to the sta%eholders or consumers, from

'hom the corporations earn their profit>D Co'e$er, different organisations ha$e come up 'ithdifferent definitions < although there is considerable common ground among them 2ne of themost common definitions is that the -S is about ho' companies manage their businessprocesses to produce an o$erall positi$e impact on the societ#

ccording to an article, ma%ing Good Business Sense, 'ritten b# Aord Colme and ichard /atts,and published in a /orld Business -ouncil Publication, the -orporate Social esponsibilit# isthe continuing commitment b# business to beha$e ethicall# and contribute to economicde$elopment 'hile impro$ing the :ualit# of life of the 'or%force and their families as 'ell as ofthe local communit# and societ# at large

!he same article gi$es some e$idences of the different perceptions of 'hat this should mean froma number of different societies across the 'orld In Ghana, the definition of -S is aboutcapacit#

contribution to societ#

In the S, the home of the 'orld>s most reno'ned corporate houses, the -S has been defined interms of a philanthropic model !he merican companies ma%e profits, unhindered e*cept b#fulfilling their dut# to pa# ta*es !hen the# donate a certain share of the profits to charitablecauses

In ;urope, it is much more focused on operating the core business in a sociall# responsible 'a#,complemented b# in$estment in communities for solid business case reasons Business anal#stsbelie$e that the ;uropean st#le is more sustainable because social responsibilit# becomes anintegral part of the 'ealth


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medication is relati$el# e*pensi$e Man# pharmaceutical companies ha$e offered to suppl# theirmedicines at lo' or no cost to the de$eloping countries

@o', it is true that companies are doing these things for a number of reasons In part it is basicself B ill and Melinda Gates=oundation ga$e the Indian go$ernment a generous 18 million dollars for ids pre$ention !his

is almost e:ual to 'hat the S go$ernment has pledged to pro$ide India to fight the diseaseIt is not e*pected that Gates> generosit# 'ould inspire Bangladeshi businessmen to rise to theirsocial responsibilit# But the# can, at least, ta%e their cue from Gates If entrepreneurs sho' e$ena fraction of the passion the# displa# in building mos:ues for combating problems of health,education and po$ert#, the# 'ill ha$e earned the nation>s gratitude

!a%e the case for female garments 'or%ers in Bangladesh eportedl# =; on 6ecember 1, 88the o'ners of some garment factories in the countr# are den#ing the natural rights of their 'omenlabourforce !he# are doing this either b# imposing insane sible preconditions or through hiddentactics !hese 'or%ers are no allo'ed to ha$e babies !he garments o'ners thin% that beingmothers 'ould hamper their producti$it# Man# garment factories the precondition for ha$ing a?ob is to refrain from ha$ing babies and the# ha$e to accept it for lac% of alternati$e ?obopportunities 2n the other hand, o'ners and officials or garment factories sa# that the# get

benefits b# discouraging pregnanc#

!here are more than 1 million 'or%ers in the countr#+s garment sector and percent of themare 'omen 'ho o$er'or% in factories, ma%ing precious sacrifices and, thus, helping the countr#earn foreign currenc# But if the re'ard for helping the factor# o'ners to ma%e mone# comes inthe form of den#ing the 'omen of their natural rights, then this process of profit ma%ing iscertainl# :uite unfriendl# to the societ# at large

;$er# sector in Bangladesh 'ould gi$e almost the similar picture !he Bangladeshi economicelite must ac%no'ledge that no countr# can aspire to be economicall# prosperous if its populationcontinues to li$e a life threatened b# disease, illiterac# and debilitating penur# !here is no tightdefinition of -S& there are man# 'a#s of describing it nderstanding 'hat it means forBangladesh needs to carr# out some basics li%e ta%ing good care of the labour force


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%atching the principles with practicesBy Ekram Kabir

!he da#s for businesses to ha$e onl# one goal < to ma%e mone# for their o'ners < are o$er !oda#,business is under pressure, from both sta%eholders and the people at large, to adopt responsible

business practices !he demand is for corporate social responsibilit#, and no' it has become aglobal phenomenon

!he -lean -lothes -ampaign during the 199s in some ;uropean countries urged consumers tobo#cott stores 'hich sold garments made b# firms using child labour, for e*ample t that time,there 'ere some non< go$ernmental groups in the S 'ho also campaigned against bu#ingproducts of those brands that 'ere using children as their labour force

!he repercussions of such campaigns 'ere felt in poorer economics li%e Bangladesh, India,Pa%istan etc Go$ernments and garments manufacturers of these countries had to go through agreat ordeal that child labour 'as a realit# in economies 'here po$ert# e*ists in its se$erest formCo'e$er, campaigns against the use of child labour in factories ha$e changed the social picture inthese countries !he o'ners of their go$ernments> factories had to arrange schooling for the %ids

the# 'ere using in their units!he realit# these da#s is that businesses around the 'orld can no longer disregard their social anden$ironmental responsibilities, for the# are under gro'ing pressures to help build a fairer societ#!he process of globalisation has also contributed to it 2nl# claims that globalisation 'ouldspread the benefits of economic gro'th ha$e not been enough& economic operators theses e*ecuti$e arm, published a Green Paper on corporate social responsibilit#,'ith the aim of launching a broadscommitment to social responsibilit# is important 'hen bu#ing a product or ser$ice

s Bangladesh faces the challenge of globalisation, it is imperati$e to ta%e the concerns of allsta%eholders into account -orporate social responsibilit# pro$ides an opportunit# for deli$ering$alue to all Co'e$er, there is no single, transferable model of corporate social responsibilit#/hile the pressures mounted b# globalisation are similar across the 'orld, responses must belocal

Aoo% at the fastfood ?oints that are popping up in all the ma?or cities in Bangladesh !he# ha$ecertainl# made food accessible to almost e$er#bod# !he best thing that happened, follo'ing theestablishments li%e /imp#>s, Best =ried -hic%en, Cel$etia etc, that this sector has generatedman# emplo#ment opportunities for the unemplo#ed Louths < 'ho are considerabl# educated butnot :ualified for 'hite< and blue


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'ards eat homes or Cot Breads or Lanim#s principles match its practices !here is a gro'ing'orld'ide mo$ement to'ards corporate responsibilit# and sustainabilit#, because, in man# cases,

man# products ha$e brought damage and suffering to the societ#

t this point of time 'hen companies and go$ernments turn their attention to sustainabilit#, it isof critical importance that the meaning of sustainabilit# does not get lost in the trappings ofcorporate language


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Comort and saety while on the wheelsEkram Kabir

!he demands and e*pectations of corporate social responsibilit# -S5 impact differentl# ondifferent business sectors Some sectors entail a lot of initiati$es, re:uiring a high le$el of

a'areness


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In the 0, for e*ample, a mar%et leader in car rental, $is ;urope, has come for'ard to pro$idesupport for integrated transport programmes 'hich aim to reduce traffic congestion and pollutionle$els !he >-ar -lub> concept, to reduce congestion and car usage is also being implemented b#$is -$enience !here are no' -ar -lubs across the 0 !he club members use a pool of$is cars for an annual fee, plus time and mileage, thereb# reducing car o'nership, congestionand pollution from unnecessar# ?ourne#s

!his has no' become an international phenomenon for the cab, bus, coach companies, inassociation 'ith auto


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+edE)s corporate giving and volunteerismEkram Kabir

/e 'ill do 'hat 'e>re allo'ed to do& 'e e*pect go$ernments to pro$ide the legal frame'or%that sa#s 'hat societ# 'ill put up 'ith < is usuall# the attitude of man# big business houses

to'ards the societ#

6espite this fact, big businesses these da#s are incorporating the corporate social responsibilit#-S5 in their social agenda fine e*ample of this is =ed;*


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=ed;* and its subsidiaries recognise that effecti$e en$ironmental management is one of its mostimportant corporate priorities It is committed to the continued e$aluation of en$ironmentalimpacts of its pac%aging products !hroughout the past 1 #ears, it has 'or%ed to minimise theen$ironmental impact of its pac%aging =or e*ample, its en$elopes are no' made of 1 per centrec#cled material, 3 per cent minimum post


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&okia makes a connectionEkram Kabir

@o%ia is possibl# one of the most familiar brand names to Bangladeshis !'o in e$er# fi$ecellphone users in Bangladesh use @o%ia longside e*panding its business, @o%ia also has a set

of acti$ities meeting its obligations to the societ#

!he @o%ia administration belie$es in in$esting in a shared future, de$eloping products andser$ices that encourage communication and learning among people and societies 'here thecompan# operates @o%ia is using its strengths, 'hat it sa#s, connecting and communicating, tohelp ma%e a difference It is using the same approach to ensure its in$ol$ement 'ith #outh andeducation issues around the 'orld, helping #oung people create their o'n place

@o%ia>s global #outh programmes are a lifes global initiati$e

@o%ia>s Ma%e a -onnection programme, a global initiati$e of the International Louth

=oundation and @o%ia, started in pril 8 Promoting positi$e #outh de$elopment, theprogramme gi$es #oung people an opportunit# to ma%e a connection 'ith their communities,their families and peers, and themsel$es

It impro$es #oung people>s educational opportunities, teaches them life s%ills and helps themma%e a positi$e contribution to their 4ocieties !his is achie$ed, for e*ample, b# pro$iding directtraining, b# facilitating mentors leading learning compan# 2nce selected, $ideos aredo'n loaded $ia satellite to a @o%ia digital $ideo recorder connected to a tele$ision right in theclassroom

In an initial countr#


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It has also been supporting a children>s help centre in 6uesseldorf, German# for the past four#ears and ha$e funded a -apoeira programme for orphans in se$en orphanages in Berlin since1999

In ustralia, it has contributed to the Sal$ation rm# and to a charit# for disabled children It hascooperated 'ith nicef for man# #ears It is one of nicefs largest supporters in their annualSeasons Greetings -ards campaign Since 199, it has contributed more than E inGreetings cards

In the S and -anada, @o%ia is a ma?or contributor to the nited /a#, a charit#, b# mobilisingthe caring po'er of communities !he nited /a# addresses the most critical local issues andmobilises resources, bringing communities together to focus on the most important human needs

@o%ia is also cooperating 'ith the International =ederation of ed -ross and ed -rescentSocieties in se$eral countries It has, for e*ample, donated one million S dollars forhumanitarian assistance to the $ictims of the 0oso$o crisis through the =innish ed -ross,contributed to the ed -ross of Hene"uela after the Hene"uela floods, and supported the relief andreconstruction efforts follo'ing the earth:ua%e in Gu?arat, India

ecentl#, it contributed to ed -ross relief efforts after the $olcano eruption that affected theli$es of people in the -ongo and 'anda I the aftermath of both the ;uropean floods and the

oil spill


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'ran- Heading towards a conrontation

.he West has reasons to be angry with the conservatives gaining ground in the

conrontation between and conservatives 'ran, writes

Ekram Kabir

=!; a sho'do'n bet'een reformists and conser$ati$es in the =ebruar# 8 elections, Iran ispossibl# heading to'ards a political confrontation eformist leaders %ept sa#ing before theelections that a political dispute surrounding elections 'ould gi$e rise to despotism Co'e$er,on =ebruar# 4, Iran>s li #atollah 0hamenei> sought to defuse the dispute, 'hich centred on thedecision of the conser$ati$eshea$# reliance on Iranian oil during the 'ar !his lead to the nationalisation of Iranian oil, and thene' compan# 'as named @I2- @ational Iranian 2il -ompan#5

/ith this change, the beginnings of Iranian freedom from 'estern influence trul# began !his lin%goes into fascinating detail about the facts surrounding Iran+s oil production

nal#sts are sa#ing that hardliners could pursue a more aggressi$e nuclear polic# Pragmaticconser$ati$es struc% a deal 'ith 0, =rance and German# last @o$ember to open Iran+s nuclear


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facilities to inspection, hoping a softer international line could bu# some respite on the scrutin# ofdomestic issues, such as human rights But man# hardliners 'ere deepl# unhapp# 'ith the deal,and 'estern diplomats belie$e the# see the stifling of domestic opposition as an opportunit# topursue a 'eapons programme more rapidl#

Co'e$er, the S, 'hich 'as suspicious of the deal in the first place, had its concern reinforcedb# the disco$er# onl# recentl# of ad$anced centrifugal e:uipment for enriching uranium to'eapons grade Iran had failed to declare the e:uipment, and has had its in$ol$ement in theinternational nuclear blac% mar%et e*posed b# the do'nfall of Pa%istan+s nuclear JfatherK, bduladeer 0han

gain, senior officials from Britain, German# and =rance 'ent to Hienna recentl# to negotiate'ith the Iranians and 'ith Mohamed ;IBaradei, the head of the International tomic ;nerg#genc# !he attempt to brea% the deadloc% failed

!here 'as no brea%do'n, but there 'as no brea%through Since the tal%s aimed at securing acomprehensi$e free"e of Iran+s uranium enrichment acti$ities, further e$idence has emerged thatIran is continuing to co$er up elements of its unclear programme despite its claims to ha$ere$ealed all to the I;

@ inspectors disco$ered designs for a centrifuge that can produce bomb fuel t'ice as fast as the

machine the Iranians are currentl# assembling !he centrifuge designs 'ere not reported b# theIranians, and constitute an apparent breach of their commitment to re$eal all, although >thesignificance of the finding is being pla#ed do'n b# A0; officials

!he mericans, the ;uropeans, and officials at the Hienna agenc# are con$inced that the Iraniansha$e reneged on the deal /e>re on a steep do'n'ard tra?ector# on Iran, Non /olfsthal, the Snuclear anal#st and former -linton administration department of energ# official, 'as :uoted assa#ing

lthough the conser$ati$es are no' in the ascendant, the# are deepl# di$ided o$er ho' toproceed, 'ith pragmatists fa$ouring a softer bread and circuses approach to rule and hardliners'anting re$enge on their reformist enemies Co??atolislam a$ami, one of the dis:ualified MPsand chairman of the Ma?lis legal committee, told !he Independent Sunda# the opponents of

reform could become !aliban


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Environmental rating or local do*goodersEkram Kabir

-orporate social responsibilit# -s !he ;nerg# and esourcesInstitute


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6oing business in all eco


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Window*dressing or genuine commitment#Ekram Kabir

!here are times, in this era of Internet, the sic% and distressed are seen using the @et to as% forhelp Aast 'ee%, such an email 'ent around the 'eb portals 89t ha$eenough mone# to pa# the cost of brain surger# merica 2nline and U6@;! had come for'ard tohelp the child, b# pa#ing part of the operation cost

B# definition, corporate social responsibilit# -S5 is all about businesses ploughing some oftheir profits bac% into the societ# In doing so, graduall# -S initiati$es are also beingcorporatised If a compan#, as part of its -S acti$ities, 'ants to put its mone# in healthcare, itsets up a hospital or gi$es mone# to a hospital But 'hat if less affluent patients li%e achel 'honeed mone# for their treatment for ma?or illnessD /here do the# goD -an the# approach an#corporation for helpD

@o', 'h# did 2A and U6@;! agree to help achelD Because if her father George /inslet sent

his email to a large number of people, and as%ed the mails business, either b# directl# using 2A portal or b#indirectl# contributing to the business of e


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n anal#sis is re:uired 'hether corporations reall# belie$e in their social responsibilities or -Sissues are ?ust another form of ad$ertisement for the corporation gain, as it is said earlier in thispiece, 'hen a compan#, as part of its -S, contributes to a countr#>s healthcare, it usuall# spendsits mone# on a health establishment But 'hen < in the process < that same health establishmentitself becomes a corporation, can that be ?ustified as -SD It ma# so turn out that afterac:uiring a corporate entit#, the health unit 'ould stop recei$ing charit# mone# from other

companies But, then, 'ould this health establishment render free treatment to the need# patientsli%e achelD


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$ European rameworkEkram Kabir

n increasing number of companies across ;urope are coming up in promoting their corporatesocial responsibilit# -S5 strategies responding to a $ariet# of social, en$ironmental and

economic pressures In fact, ;uropean companies seem more sincere in setting their -S goals,as the ;uropean -ommission published a Green Paper for the their companies to follo'

-S is, sa#s the Green Paper, essentiall# a concept 'hereb# companies decide $oluntaril# tocontribute to the creation of a better societ# and a cleaner en$ironment !he Paper also aimed totrigger a 'ide debate and see% $ie's on -S at national, ;uropean and international le$els

Most definitions describe -S as a concept 'hereb# companies integrate social anden$ironmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction 'ith theirsta%eholders on a $oluntar# basis

!he Green Paper sa#s that being sociall# responsible means not onl# fulfilling legal e*pectations,but also going be#ond compliance and in$esting more into human -S should ne$ertheless notbe capital, the en$ironment and the seen, sa#s the Paper, as a substitute relations 'ith

sta%eholders !he e*perience 'ith in$estment in en$ironmentall# responsible technologies andbusiness practice suggests that going be#ond legal compliance can contribute to a compan#+scompetiti$eness Going be#ond basic legal obligations in the social area ;g, training, 'or%ingconditions, management emplo#ee relations, can also ha$e a direct impact on producti$it#,thereb# opening a 'a# of managing change and of reconciling social de$elopment 'ith impro$edcompetiti$eness

-S should ne$ertheless not be seen, sa#s the Paper, as a substitute to regulation or legislationconcerning social rights or en$ironmental standards, including the de$elopment of ne'appropriate legislation In countries 'here such regulations do not e*ist, efforts should focus onputting the proper regulator# or legislati$e frame'or% in place in order to define a le$el pla#ingfield on the basis of 'hich sociall# responsible practices can be de$eloped, the Paper suggest

/hilst -S is being mainl# promoted b# a number of large or multinational companies, it shouldbe rele$ant to all t#pes of companies and all sectors of acti$it#, including SM;s Its 'iderapplication in SM;s including micro


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b social criteria are increasingl# influencing the in$estment decisions of indi$iduals andinstitutions both as consumers and as in$estors&

c increased concern about the damage caused b# economic acti$it# to the en$ironment& and

d transparenc# of business acti$ities brought about b# the media and modem information andcommunication technologies&

lthough the prime responsibilit# of a compan# is to generate profits, companies can at the sametime contribute to social and en$ironmental ob?ecti$es through integration of -S as a strategicin$estment into their core business strateg# and their management instruments and theiroperations

-ompanies should pursue, suggests the Paper, the social responsibilit# internationall# as 'ell asin ;urope, including through their 'hole suppl# chain !he Aisbon ;uropean -ouncil made aspecial appeal to companies> sense of social responsibilit# regarding best practices on lifelonglearning, 'or% organisation, e:ual opportunities, social inclusion and sustainable de$elopment

!he -ommission>s ;uropean Social genda, subse:uentl# supported b# the ;uropean -ouncil in@ice, emphasised the role of -S in addressing the emplo#ment and social conse:uences ofeconomic and mar%et integration and in adapting 'or%ing conditions to the ne' econom# In

addition the ;uropean Summit in @ice in$ited the ;- to in$ol$e companies in a partnership 'iththe social partners, @Gs, local authorities and bodies that manage social ser$ices, so as tostrengthen their social responsibilit#

t the international le$el, through policies such as trade and de$elopment co


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Creating an e*happy societyEkram Kabir

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3503656 Ekram Kabirs Articles on Corporate Social Responsibility in Bangladesh

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