Leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility for Women's Progress WISE Conference Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 2009

Building Capacity, Connections and Credibility More then 75 training programs globally Regional summits: 2010 in Asia and MENA Global Leadership Awards

MEPI- Vital Voices Public- Private Partnership Program Forums for public-private partnership in Bahrain, Jordan, and Algeria Conferences highlighting best practices in PPP from the region and the US Unique partnership with the Family Justice Center to provide technical assistance in Jordan and Bahrain “Making it Our Business”- Workplace Awareness program on Breast Cancer

What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)? The CSR Initiative at John F. Kennedy School of Government defines CSR as encompassing not only what companies do with their profits, but also how they make them. It goes beyond philanthropy and compliance and addresses how companies manage their economic, social, and environmental impacts, as well as their relationships in the workplace, the marketplace, the supply chain, the community, and the public policy realm.

Making the “Business Case” Corporations are focused on results. In today’s economic environment, a critical part of “selling” CSR potential partners is learning how to present the business benefits of the initiatives. Companies have both moral and financial reasons to practice CSR. Stronger financial performance and profitability through operational efficiency gains Better position in the marketplace (i.e., more business) Stronger relationships with communities and enhanced license to operate Improves image and branding which leads to increased trust and understanding Enhances employee relations that yield better results with respect to recruitment, motivation, retention, learning and innovation, and productivity

Making It Our Business Program Getting Started: The Concept -An Internal Awareness and training program Next Step: Getting companies on board –CSR related to women’s issues –What is in it for them?

Making it Our Business: Training Develop a training and a Master Trainer Conduct a train-the-trainer program Give them the necessary resources

Companies Engaged in MIOB to Date UAE –Al Tayer Group –BurJuman –Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry –Dubai Holding –Dubai World –Easa El Saleh Al Gurg Group –Emaar Properties –FedEx –General Electric –General Motors –Johnson & Johnson –Microsoft ME Jordan –Jordinvest - Nestle –Toyota- Aramex –Intercontinental Hotel- CitiBank –Team Y Rubicam- Zain –Arab Tech Jardaneh- Rubicon –HSBC Bank Jordan –Siniora Foods –Umniah Telecommunication –Saraya Development Group –Ernst & Young –Orange Telecom –Hoffmann-La Roche –City Mall –JOSWE Pharmaceuticals –Imperial Palace Hotel

Lessons Learned Many companies want to engage with the community but they do not know how to. It is important to explain the benefits of CSR and partnership as it relates to your work. You need to get buy-in from the top. Interaction between companies leads to innovation, collaboration and healthy competition. CSR creates opportunities for a long term relationship.

Questions? Shireen Zaman Director, MENA Vital Voices Global Partnership