What’s CSR?

Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.

CSR seeks to create prosperity, support social cohesion and preserve a healthy environment. It promotes economic, social and ethical responsibility, as well as the system of social market economy.

Specifically, CSR encourages voluntary actions that businesses can take, over and above compliance with minimum legal requirements, to address both their own competitive interests and the interests of wider society.

Why CSR?

At the JCI World Congress in Vienna, Austria, in October 2005, JCI officers and several high-ranking political and business representatives signed the “Vienna CSR Treaty," which sets out Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a principle of conducting business. Thus, JCI began a worldwide effort to promote CSR. In 2006, National Presidents drafted a CRS Resolution.

"Through CSR actions taken at the national and local levels, we can be champions in this area," said Hajslund in January 2006. CSR projects can help members develop leadership skills, advance business success and prosperity in their communities, and gain public recognition for JCI.

The Contest

TOPIC: Good practice of Corporate Social Responsibility in Small- and Medium-sized companies. The essay must focus on practical applications of CSR in Small- and Medium-sized companies.

LENGTH: No more than 1000 words.

PRIZE: The JCI Senate and the Area Senate Associations will help the winner take part in the 2008 World Congress in New Delhi by sponsoring one JCI World Congress registration and assistance for travel and hotel expenses.

DEADLINES: Participants must pre-register for the contest by sending an email to lhajslund@jci.cc before October 1, 2007, and send the essay to the same email address before October 15, 2007.

LANGUAGE: Since this is the first year of the competition and resources are limited, essays must be in English.

The winner of the contest will be announced at the 2007 Awards Ceremony. The award will be presented by 2007 JCI President Scott Greenlee at the JCI World Congress in Antalya. The best essays will be published in an e-book sponsored by the JCI Senate and the Area Senate Associations.

Don’t wait! Pre-register by sending an email to lhajslund@jci.cc before October 1, 2007, and send you essay to lhajslund@jci.cc before October 15, 2007.

Source: JCI.CC