Corporate social responsibility: A brief overview Heidi Eterovic, CSR/GC Project Manager United Nations Development Programme

CSR: A brief overview Contents: What is CSR What does it mean on the company level What’s the business case for collective action International frameworks and initiatives The role of the UN A question: What about Georgia?

CSR: A brief overview The origins of CSR: The social context for doing business changed New sources of risks for companies Companies are held responsible for all impacts their business operations produce in relation to the environment, employees, society, and marketplace

Policy dialogue Community Business partners Core business activities Spheres of influence Source: Amnesty International and Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum (1999)

CSR: A brief overview Key questions: What is the core business? What are its main impacts? What are the key sources of risk? Who do you talk to in order to mitigate them? What are company’s long-term goals? Whose support does it need to meet them? The concept of stakeholder

CSR: A brief overview At the company level, CSR contributes to: Risk management Reputation Employee attraction, motivation, and loyalty Alignment with international business standards Easier access to financing Business opportunity and innovation Management practices

CSR: A brief overview The case for collective action: Being proactive about outside risks Securing collaboration of key stakeholders Building trust and confidence Setting and meeting standards

CSR: A brief overview International frameworks: UN Global Compact Millennium Development Goals Universal Declaration of Human Rights ILO Core Conventions OECD Guidelines for Multinational Companies Special Representative on Business and Human Rights IFC Performance Standards Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Alien Tort Act

CSR: A brief overview International initiatives: Equator Principles Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Ethical Trading Initiative Kimberley Process Technology Industry Initiative TI Business Principles WEF PACI Principles ICC Guidelines Global Reporting Initiative

CSR: A brief overview The engagement of the UN: Cannot talk about development without the business sector The new PS strategy: Making markets work for the poor

CSR: A brief overview The UN Global Compact: The largest CSR initiative in the world Platform for learning, policy dialogue, and collective action Business-led, but other stakeholders engaged Requires adoption and integration of 10 basic principles of ethical business Launched in Georgia with 32 members, but still no network

CSR: A brief overview What about Georgia? What are the priorities? What can we do together?

CSR: A brief overview Thank you!