Corporate executives get practical knowledge of CSR application
Dubai Chamber organised Workshop/Training session provides executives the means to align responsible business practices in their companies’ corporate culture
A number of Dubai’s top executives were introduced to the methods of embedding Corporate Social Responsibility into today’s corporate culture and were trained on the application of international standards of social accountability SA8000 at the two-day workshop and training session organized by Dubai Chamber’s Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) on December 14-15.
Entitled Mainstreaming Corporate Social Responsibility, the workshop focused on providing corporate executives with practical knowledge and guidance in the areas of CSR and Ethics, HR, Communications, Risk, Strategic and Supply Chain management and the means to align responsible business practices into the company.
The workshop on the first day of the event helped executives develop and implement strategic corporate responsibility that not only reinforce company business practices, but also produce measurable results through application of frameworks, guidelines and standards. It highlighted the role of CSR in providing new opportunities, and developing customer loyalty to the company, and to improve relations between the company and the customer.
Besides focusing on the ways of embedding CSR into the organizational culture by improving organizational efficiencies and innovations, the workshop also emphasized on the strategic areas of employee relations that would motivate the staff and ultimately improve the productivity of the
company.
As part of the second day of the event, CRB in association with Social Accountability International (SAI), held the Social Accountability 8000 Introduction and Basic Auditor Training course which introduced social compliance and the SA 8000 international standard to the participants. The training here covered areas like Globalization, its market impact and the Dubai context, Introduction to social compliance, the SA8000 principles and the ethical supply chain, The Eight SA8000 elements, compliance issues specific to Dubai and local areas, Introduction to Management Systems, corporate code of conduct, relevant industry codes, Understanding the Social Compliance Audit and essential Steps for Building an Internal Management System.
The training course also provided practical knowledge to the attendees as they got to understand the key issues in social compliance and its application in the systems and steps to improve their company’s performance. All attendees received a Certificate at the end of the course.
Gillian Foster, Manager, Center for Responsible Business informed that the two-day workshop and training course came as part of the Center’s strategy in promoting the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility, and its importance in creating a sound business environment in the emirate.
Said Gillian, “The event directly served our purpose of spreading awareness and incorporation of CSR activities among the attending directors and managers of various Dubai-based companies who also got to know about the application of the concept of international social accountability in the workplace. We look forward to hosting many such events in the coming year.”
Formed in 2004, the Centre for Responsible Business (formerly known as the Dubai Ethics Resource Centre) is a hub of expertise in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the longest standing Centre for Business
Responsibility in the UAE. As part of the Dubai Chamber, its international team of experts assist Dubai businesses in applying
responsible practices that enhance performance and competitive advantage. The Centre for Responsible Business does this through the provision of research, training, assessments, certification, programmes, events and advisory services that cover all aspects of CSR.
