Sixth Annual Presidents Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility Launched
Sustaining CSR in Challenging Times
Chambers Ireland has today (23/02/09) announced that nominations for the sixth annual Presidents Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are now open. The awards were launched by special guest Bill Cullen and were hosted by Hibernian Aviva Health. Now in their sixth year, the awards are run in association with the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, partnered by Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), and kindly sponsored by resourceTM.
Speaking this afternoon, Chambers Ireland and BITCI Representative Aileen O Toole said, “These awards provide a unique platform for promoting the positive work being carried out by the Irish business community. In a time of changing economic circumstances CSR programmes must be sustained as they motivate and promote innovative work practices.”
Minister for State at the Department Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, John Curran T.D. continued, “Global events over the past year have demonstrated how closely the fate of the business and wider community are intertwined. No sector is immune from the down turn in fortunes and none can operate in isolation from the others. We all have a duty of care for each other. The future success of our economy as a whole depends on all of us acting with responsibility, with integrity and with due regard for the impact of their actions on the people of our communities.”
“CSR goes beyond stand-alone activities such as recycling waste, or working with charities, important as these activities are. In my view, it is about acting with integrity in all parts of the business process, about doing the right thing, even when the right thing is not always the most profitable thing, so that business and society can develop in tandem.” he added.
Ray Foran, Managing Director Ireland of resource™ said, “resource™ is proud to be a sponsor of Chambers Ireland’s President’s Awards for CSR. Smart companies understand that CSR is a long-term investment and that now, more than ever, CSR can actively contribute to the overall success of an organisation. CSR affects how a company is perceived by its customers, employees, the community and shareholders, and when closely aligned with an organisation’s vision and strategy is a distinct source of competitive advantage. We wish all this year’s entrants the best of luck.”
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.chambers.ie. The closing date for nominations is Friday 1st May 2009.
Fingal Dublin Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Buildings, North Street, Swords, County Dublin, Ireland. T +353 1 890 0977 I F +353 1 890
0990 I E info@fingaldublinchamber.ie
