CSR

Background
In today's economic and social environment, issues related to social responsibility and sustainability are gaining more and more importance, especially in the business sector. Business goals are inseparable from the societies and environments within which they operate. Whilst short-term economic gain can be pursued, the failure to account for longer-term social and environmental impacts makes those business practices unsustainable. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can be understood as a management concept and a process that integrates social and environmental concerns in business operations and a companys interactions with the full range of its stakeholders. The Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labor standards, the environment and anti-corruption.

Event Objectives
The objective of this course is to introduce the participant to the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility today, operationalising the term and ensuring a cohesive definition of CSR and its applications for corporate sustainability. The learning materials and tools available through the courses allow participants acquire relevant introductory knowledge that will help them and their organizations to better address social responsibility concerns through a United Nations perspective and from therein promote and accelerate adherence to the UN Global Compact principles and progress on the Millennium Development Goals. The UN and its work on CSR are therefore highlighted showing how the UN Global Compact fits into the CSR approach, as well as the role UN agencies have played in moving forward the concept of CSR.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants are expected to meet the following learning objectives: To define and summarise the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility; To review alternative definitions of CSR and their strengths and limitations; To assess comparative needs for CSR; and To distinguish between the application of CSR in various practical situations.

Content and Structure

The course consists of ten modules: Introduction & History of CSR CSR Definitions Explored Comments on the Definitions of CSR and Sustainability Why CSR and Where is CSR Today? The United Nations on CSR Should CSR be compulsory? ISO 26000 Is CSR philanthropy? Applying Definitions in Practice - Practical Examples of CSR (Cadbury, NEC, Wal-Mart, Novo Nordisk Case Studies) Testing Understanding

Methodology
This e-Learning course provides participants with (a) compulsory reading materials; (b) additional reading materials; (c) bibliography of references; (d) glossary of terms; (e) external links to internet resources; (f) discussion forum; (g) one end-of-course quiz to test understanding and provide final grading. The course requires approximately a 20-hour time investment over a period of two weeks and invites participants to read a number of articles, to watch videos, to reflect on their social and economic environment, and to go through case studies analysis that are provided throughout the course. Upon registration, access to the course is granted during four weeks. By the end of the course, students will have a better understanding of the need for CSR and be able to explain alternative definitions, their strengths and limitations. There is an end-of-course quiz intended to help participants self-assess their level of comprehension. Participants who obtain a final score of at least 80% will be awarded a certificate of completion.

Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in India

CSR is not new to India, companies like TATA and BIRLA have been imbibing the case for social good in their operations for decades long before CSR become a popular cause. Inspite of having such life size successful examples, CSR in India is in a very nascent stage. It is still one of the least understood initiatives in the Indian development sector. It is followed by a handful of public companies as dictated by the very basis of their existence, and by a few private companies, with international shareholding as this is the practice followed by them in their respective foreign country. Thus the situation is far from perfect as the emphasis is not on social good but rather on a policy that needs to be implemented. A lack of understanding, inadequately trained personnel, non availability of authentic data and specific information on the kinds of CSR activities, coverage, policy etc. further adds to the reach and effectiveness of CSR programmes. But the situation is changing. And CSR is coming out of the purview of 'doing social good' and is fast becoming a 'business necessity'. The 'business case' for CSR is gaining ground and corporate houses are realising that 'what is good for workers - their community, health, and environment is also good for the business'. Corporate Social Responsibility Practices - the survey on CSR is timely and apt. The survey is expected to facilitate formation of an alliance of CSR initiatives so that such initiatives can be further stream lined, focused and converged to a powerful force of intervention. One of the major objectives of the survey is to bring out in open the current status of CSR thereby giving both the NGOs and the common man an understanding of the various initiatives undertaken by corporates and the role that is played by the government in the field. The survey underlines the various issues - current CSR policies, major stakeholders - their current and future plans, geographical areas covered, role of civil society and government, challenges, recommendations etc.