CSR can help restore Ireland’s tarnished reputation

Chambers CEO Ian Talbot made his comments at the launch of the annual President's Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards in Dublin.

Now in their seventh year, the CSR Awards are run in association with the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and are partnered by Business in the Community Ireland.

“Given the impacts of the downturn that so many companies have experienced over the past 18 months, it is remarkable to see the sustained commitment that private businesses of all sizes continue to invest in their stakeholder communities through their CSR programmes,” Talbot said.

“This continued commitment and the positive values underpinned by CSR best practice can play a key role in restoring our international reputation in the future,” he added.

Government recognises importance of CSR
Minister for State at the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs John Curran TD said the Government recognised the significant contribution that CSR makes to society, dealing with issues including the environment, disability, raising standards of education and tackling poverty in developing nations.

“All of these are huge challenges exercising Government. We will all be better off as a society if we can make progress in addressing these issues,” he said.

Rebuilding trust with society
According to Carmel O'Connor, HR Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers which hosted the launch of the CSR Awards in Spencer Dock in Dublin, the timing of the awards and what they represent could not be more relevant.

“Following the economic upheaval we have experienced in recent times, business can only rebuild and sustain the trust of wider society by ‘doing the right thing’ in all spheres of its operations. This is what CSR is about. It has evolved from an emphasis on charity programmes to being an essential part of an organisation’s DNA and the way it does business.”

The CSR Awards will be presented for a total of seven areas this year at a gala awards ceremony to be held in September.  There will be separate categories for large indigenous and multinational corporations in the core CSR themes of Environment, Community, Workplace and Marketplace (both Supplier and Customer projects). Awards for Best International CSR Programme, Best SME CSR Project and Outstanding Achievement in CSR will also be presented.

 For further information about the awards or to download an application pack visit www.csrawards.ie.  The closing date for nominations is Friday, 12 April 2010.  

Pictured at Chambers Ireland 7th Annual President's Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility hosted by PwC are: Fergus Finlay, Chief Executive, Barnardos; John Curran TD, Minister of State Dept Community, Community and Gaeltacht affairs; Carmel O'Connor, HR Partner, PwC; Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland