United Nations resident co-ordinator in T&T Richard Blewitt says local businesses in T&T need to do more in the area of corporate social responsibly (CSR)."I have been here for five years now and T&T is a beautiful place but the environment is not great like in matters of recycling. Where are the businesses?
How are the businesses providing leadership through demonstrating in the way they operate how to make T&T green?" Blewitt asked when he spoke at the launch of the T&T CSR Review 2012 to 2013 at the Carlton Savannah Hotel, St Ann's last Thursday.
He cited a 2012 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) produced report, The CEO Report on Corporate Social Responsibility in T&T: "One of the things that came out of the report is the focus of public relations and reputation management as major drivers of CSR. Most CEOs do not provide financial incentives for performance of their senior managers for CSR.The NGO sector remains relatively weak. The civil society is still underdeveloped in T&T but is relatively stronger than other Caribbean islands."
Blewitt said the UNDP will be working with the Government, specifically with the Ministry of Trade, to develop a CSR policy for the country.Donna Ramsammy, publisher and editor-in-chief of T&T CSR Review, said local companies are becoming more aware of the roles they should play in CSR.
"As T&T becomes increasingly conscious of climate change and the negative effects of human activity on the environment, many corporate brands are building credibility and trust by venturing in to the area of sustainability, that is in terms of ethical and ecological responsibility," she said.She gave the example of Nestle.
"Health and well being are measurable indices for human development and Nestle's CSR programmes are great examples of how companies can provide public education in the areas of healthy eating, exercise and mental health," she said.
