International CSR Conference 2008 Programme, Day 1 Afternoon Session

Conference Programme 29 July 2008 (Day 1 - Afternoon Session)

13.30-18.00    AFTERNOON PLENARIES SESSIONS

The afternoon sessions allow us to discuss areas of CSR in more detail. Each session focuses on a key area of CSR and brings together experts in the field to discuss and debate the major themes in each case.

13.30-14.30

(1)    WORKPLACE

CSR begins in the workplace where people spend so much of their time and effort. Providing good workplace policies can lead to business success. This session offers insights from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) whose conventions form the basis of many international frameworks for CSR including the UN Global Compact and further examples of good practice from one of the most innovative commercial employment advisers in Malaysia.

Moderator:    Dr Reevany Bustami,
        Deputy Dean, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Title:        CSR INITIATIVES IN THE WORKPLACE: RELEVANCE AND GUIDELINES

Speaker:    Kee Beom Kim, Programme Manager, International Labour Organisation

What is CSR and decent work?
Why are CSR initiatives at the workplace important for companies?
Some case studies of corporate success through people
ILO tools and guidelines for CSR initiatives at the workplace

Title: ENGAGING TALENT ON A SHOESTRING

Speaker: Lewis Chan, People Potential, Malaysia

Sustainable Competitive Advantage
Creating a “People Centred” Culture
Low-Cost High-Payoff Strategies
Case Study: Make an Exception for an Exceptional Candidate

14.30-15.30

(2)    MARKETPLACE

Customers want good CSR and will punish companies with bad CSR records. How can companies use their CSR programmes to engage with customers? What methods and standards can be adopted to show customers that companies have business models that are responsible and sustainable? What are the examples of best practice and how are they communicated effectively in the marketplace?

Moderator:    Dr. Eleesya Nasruddin,
        School of Management, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Title:        USING THE POWER OF THE INTERNET TO EXTEND CSR PROGRAMMES

Speaker:    Jeff Zweig, Chief Guru, Southeast Asia, Web Guru Asia

This session will provide case studies and practical ideas about how companies can extend traditionally offline-only CSR programmes to the online space via all the channels available: websites/microsites, blogs, social media, etc.

There is often a lack of awareness and understanding of the possibilities for extending relevant CSR initiatives online. Using a little theory and focusing primarily on practical strategies and examples illustrated through case studies, this presentation will encourage us to think about how we can readily add value to our CSR programs using online channels.

Title:        CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY – THIRD PARTY VALIDATION

Speaker:    Flavio Gomes, Global Sustainability Product Manager, Bureau Veritas London

The importance of Third Party Validation
The Assurance Process
Common Pitfalls
Emerging International Standards
Case studies of successful Assurance projects

15.30-16.00    BREAK

16.00-17.00

(3)    COMMUNITY

Community contributions are an important component of CSR and recipients benefit hugely from effective programmes. How do you build an effective community programme and avoid the ‘mock-cheque’? How can companies build sustainable relationships with community groups and NGOs? What is a ‘Social Impact Assessment’ and how can this help in community investments?

Moderator:    Dr Reevany Bustami,
        Deputy Dean, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Title:        VALUE CREATION THROUGH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS

Speaker:    Arno Thony, General Manager, Melia Kuala Lumpur

Financing Community Involvement Programmes through business networks
Matching or fitting Community Involvement Programmes with core business competence and/or business models
Enhancement of your Company’s Philosophy and Values
Community Involvement Programmes as a tool for Training, Team-Building and Leadership Exercises
Enhancing Corporate Brand through Community Involvement Programmes

Title: SOCIAL RETURNS ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Speaker: Brian Lariche, Director, The Liaison Combination Sdn Bhd

Corporate Community Engagement
What is it actually?
How to start?
What’s the benefit?
Things to look out for
Activity
Calculating your Social Return of Investment
Feedback and Q&A

17.00-18.00

(4)    ENVIRONMENT

Environmental issues are high on the agenda of many CSR programmes but companies still have questions about how best to address environmental concerns. How can companies assess their environmental impact? What options are available for companies to engage with environmental groups? What are the challenges in protecting our environmental heritage and how can companies address them?

Moderator:    Dr. Eleesya Nasruddin,
        School of Management, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Topics:    MAKING SUSTAINABILITY REAL: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE RIVER OF LIFE CONSERVATION PROGRAMME

Speaker:    Intan Shafinaz Mohd Suhaimi, Sustainability Advisor, Wild Asia

Insights on an evolving conservation programme that was developed with several corporate partners.
The programme, River of Life, was a multi-year programme developed to increase awareness about the values of natural areas within the plantation environment and to develop ways to involve onsite staff, local community, the head office, and the neighbouring business community.
Going beyond supporting global conservation initiatives, the lessons learnt provide useful pointers to corporates interested to develop conservation programmes for themselves, at a level where their staff and the local community can see and reap the benefits of the efforts.

Title: COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: A MISSED OPPORTUNITY AND A BETTER APPROACH

Speaker: Julian Hyde, Director, Reef Check, Malaysia

Why is stakeholder involvement important?
What happens if you get it wrong?
What are the elements of a better approach?
Possible benefits

Title: FROM CSR TO SRI: THE WWF PERSPECTIVE

Speaker: Choon, Bow Bow, Director of Marketing, WWF Malaysia

1.CSR is not merely philanthropy; CSR is a good business complement
2.Through CSR, companies can: