Ethics and CSR Project

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One of our project is to identify a potential CSR project that could be undertaken by our company or community and then write a proposal addressed to the top management or community leader on how this project can implemented.

The suggested outline are the following:

• CSR Audit/Assessment
• Why should our company/community engage in CSR?
• Identify a New Potential CSR Activity/CSR Initiative
• Present the business case for adopting this Activity/Initiative
• Strategies for Implementing Proposed Activity/Initiative/Leadership Plan
• Proposed Framework for Implementation

Why do we need to proposed CSR proposal to the management or the community? While doing my CSR proposal to URBN Design Studio, I’ve learned that we should care and make sure that our company can bring positive advantage to environment, culture and whole society, as well as the community as a whole. CSR involves giving back to the community or helping to solve social problem. And most of all, CSR helps in building a reputation as a responsible business and a good citizen.

Part 2 Our Group Service Learning at Word Community Church

Our group went back to Word Community Church, to share again some moments, this time with the kids, we gave them an early Christmas party. We pack loot bag for the kids and set up the area.

We had games for the kids such as stop dance, newspaper dance and calamansi relay; for them to learn how to play fair. Some show their talents; and we gave award for most behave kid and prizes for the winners of the game and presentation.

All of us enjoyed the kids' party. It’s a great feeling of sharing my time with the kids. But the most important lesson that I’ve learned during the activity is that playing such games teaches children to compete fairly, balancing competitiveness with teamwork and the need to respect the other side; and teaches social skills, teamwork and sportsmanship by showing children how to be supportive, enjoy success and accept disappointment.

I was assigned to assist the kids and these are the pictures that I've taken. 

Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them” – Richard L. Evans


Refence:

http://www.macvic.com.au/VIC/Page/183/About-Us/Why-kids-should-play-sport.cfm

Enron – The Smartest Guys in the Room

Enron Corporation former New York Stock Exchange, was the nation 7^th largest corporation and an American energy, commodities and services company based in Houston, Texas.

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In the movie that I’ve watched, the story ends with the bankruptcy of one of America’s largest-corporations. Enron represents a more systematic failure because it involved the bankers, the auditors, the lawyers, all of those hundreds of internal accountants, lawyers, finance professionals, and executives. Even Enron’s board of directors waived the code of conduct twice.

The collapse of Enron was an unfortunate incident, and it is important to know how and why it happened so we can understand how to avoid these situations in the future. Looking back, Enron had incurred tremendous financial losses as a result of arrogance, intolerance, greed and foolishness from the top management, all the way down. They became the victims of their own hubris, victims of their own greed.

A lot of people have suffered, mostly the shareholders and pensioners who lost it all. It was a sad ending; to what had appeared to be a promising beginning to the new economy in which the internet age would spread wealth and create jobs throughout the social spectrum.

The lesson that can be learned from the collapse of Enron, as leader we should be accountable, honest and transparent in governing the company. Money is not the only thing that motivated people and we should not lose our sense of morality. Any organization must be ethically responsible to all of its stakeholders and shareholders; and ethical standard must be practice at all times. Integrity must start at the helm, and then it can percolate down through the deepest layers and become the heart and soul of the company’s culture. In order to succeed, leader must need to have a good idea and the leadership to make it happen, and above all, need to demonstrate integrity at all times.

A lot of who Cliff was tied up in how he had succeeded at Enron. It is hard to look at your life’s work and say, “It’s failed.” But you have to take a long cold look at yourself and say, “Who was I? Who did I become? And realize, you may have seen your shadow” – Amanda Martin-Brock

Ask Why?

Image from Enron - The Smartest Guys in the Room

Image from Enron - The Smartest Guys in the Room

Image from Enron - The Smartest Guys in the Room

“The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army or in an office.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFJ-hcst8Pg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enron

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2013/05/14/enron-ethics-and-todays-corporate-values/

http://ethix.org/2007/06/01/did-we-learn-the-lessons-from-enron

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/stocks/09/enron-collapse.asp

Royal Dutch Shell in Nigeria (Case Study)

Who is Royal Dutch Shell? Shell Nigeria is the common name for Royal Dutch Shell’s Nigerian operations carried out through four subsidiaries, primarily Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC).  In 1958, Royal Dutch Shell began oil production in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Who are The Ogoni? Ogoni is the name of a region in the Niger Delta of southern Nigeria as well as the name of the ethnic group that lives in that region. For the Ogoni and the people of Nigeria, oil and oil companies have bought poverty, environmental devastation and widespread, severe human rights abuses. Oil drilling by Shell and other oil companies has had a devastating impact on the region’s environment. Oil spills, gas flaring and deforestation have stripped the land of its environmental resources, destroying the subsistence farming and fishing based economy of the Ogoni.

What is MOSOP? The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) is a human rights group founded in 1990 that is committed to using nonviolence to stop the repression and exploitation of the Ogoni and their resources by Shell and the Nigerian government. Ken Saro-Wiwa, founding member and president of MOSOP brought worldwide attention to the human rights violations committed against the Ogoni through international campaigning and his poignant writing.

As the peaceful movement of the Ogoni grew, so did the government’s and Shell’s brutal campaign against the Ogoni and MOSOP. In early 1993, Shell requested military support to build a pipeline through Ogoni. When Karalolo Kogbara was crying over the resulting bulldozing of her crops, she was shot by Nigerian troops and lost an arm as a result. In a separate incident later that year, Uebari N-nah was shot and killed by soldiers near a Shell flow station; the soldiers were requested by and later compensated by Shell. In 1994, Owens Wiwa was detained repeatedly under false charges to prevent him from protesting; he was beaten and threatened throughout his detentions. Michael Vizor, was arrested for his political activities and upon his arrest his daughter was raped. When he would not confess to a false charge, he was beaten and tortured. Mr. Vizor’s son was also beaten and detained when he attempted to bring his father food.

In 1994, Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni leaders were prevented by the military from attending a gathering; at that very gathering, four Ogoni chiefs were killed. The military governor promptly announced that Ken Saro-Wiwa caused the deaths, and he and other leaders were taken into custody. Despite the lack of any connection between MOSOP and the deaths, the military used the deaths as a pretext to conduct raids on 60 towns in Ogoni and to detain and beat several hundred men suspected of involvement with MOSOP.

A three-man tribunal was created by the Nigerian government to try the Ogoni leaders known as Ogoni Nine, for the murders of the four chiefs. The tribunal denied the Ogoni Nine access to counsel, a fair trial, and the opportunity to appeal their decision. During the course of the trial they were tortured and mistreated. On November 10, 1995, the Ogoni nine were convicted and were executed by hanging.

During the 1990s, Shell continued its close relationship with the Nigerian military regime. The oil company requested an increase in security and provided monetary and logistical support to Nigerian police. Shell was involved in the development of the strategy that resulted in the unlawful execution of the Ogoni Nine.

Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil producer with about 2.2 million barrels being produced a day yet the poorest country compared to other countries who have oil. Why is Nigeria poor? I think, corruption in Nigeria remains the most important obstacle to economic and social development.

What can Shell do? I've learned that, as one of the six largest oil exploration and petroleum companies; and also one of the multinational company; Shell should also have a framework to protect the people. Below illustrate how the hazard is managed and tips to manage the risk.

Image Credit: http://www.risktec.co.uk/knowledge-bank/technical-articles/lessons-learned-from-the-real-world-application-of-the-bow-tie-method.aspx

Image Credit: http://www.risktec.co.uk/knowledge-bank/technical-articles/lessons-learned-from-the-real-world-application-of-the-bow-tie-method.aspx

References: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_Nigeria

https://ccrjustice.org/home/get-involved/tools-resources/fact-sheets-and-faqs/factsheet-case-against-shell

http://www.therichest.com/expensive-lifestyle/location/top-10-oil-producing-countries-in-africa-2013/

http://www.poverties.org/poverty-in-nigeria.html

Sustainable Development – Going Green

What is green and why go green? Green is a philosophy and social concern for the conservation and improvement of environment. Green living is about protecting the environment and behaving ethically. Many companies are starting to look into why they should go green, both on economically profitable and socially standpoint. Going green may reduce companies overhead cost and it will help the companies in the long run. It can also create goodwill for an organization’s reputation and contribute positively to brand health and performance.

Add caImage Credit: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLcgud1F5Z-dWvwf9J43yLBdqSlZkONLb9d35tKX5asn1kWP3zagUmmmZNN4L_rRRvatgL0RL9r37tazdwCWrEyBsZaYoB1W4zPieIbnwhsDFEeHQQBxiaW5VBw0QX23o4m4lwXTRzoVW/s1600/Go-Green1.jpgption

How to go green? Companies may start on recycling plan by having various form of disposal. For instance, aluminum, paper, plastic and regular trash should be separated to ensure that they do not mixed together; and recyclable products will not be sent to landfills where they cannot properly decompose. Another way is to reduce printing or by emailing documents rather than printing; unless something absolutely must be on paper. We may also turn off the lights during lunch break. This will not only reduce our bills but also conserve energy.

For me, as one of the consumers I am willing to support a brand who go green. If I am willing to pay more? Yes, I am willing to pay more because going green will lead to more environmental friendly and ecological responsible decision, which can protect our environment and sustain natural resources for current and future generations.

“The earth we abuse and the living things we kill will, in the end, take their revenge; for in exploiting their presence we are diminishing our future.” - Marya Mannes

References:

http://infocat.com/sustainability.htm

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/running-a-green-company-corporate-social-responsib.html

http://www.sustainablebusinesstoolkit.com/benefits-of-corporate-social-responsibility/

http://www.nielsen.com/au/en/insights/news/2014/going-green-how-corporate-social-responsibility-can-boost-your-bottom-line.html

Human Rights / Sustainable Development

Human rights are universal and every person around the world deserve to be treated with dignity and equality. While governments have the duty to protect individuals against human rights abuses, businesses are recognizing their legal, moral and commercial need to get involved.

As stated in the preamble of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “every individual and every organ of society to promote and respect human right”. Every individual and every organ of society excludes no one, no company, no market, no cyberspace. The Universal Declaration applies to them all.

Gender equality is at the very heart of human rights and United Nations values. Gender equality requires equal enjoyment by women and men of socially-valued goods, opportunities, resources and rewards. It does not mean that women and men have to become the same, but that their rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend whether they are male or female. Gender equity is the process of being fair to women and men. Equity is a means; equality is the goal.

Sustainable development encompass the triple bottom line – economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity. Some of the primary goal of sustainability are:

• The end of poverty and hunger
• Better standards of education and healthcare (water quality and better sanitation)
• To achieve gender equality
• Sustainable economic growth while promoting jobs and stronger economies
• The effects of climate change, pollution and other environmental factors that can harm and do harm people’s health, livelihoods and lives.
• Sustainability to include health of the land, air and sea

I have learned that every human beings should be treated equally. It does not mean that we are all the same. Each of us is different but we also have the common qualities that make us all humans. So each of us should be treated with respect, fairly and dignity; and in return, treat others in the same way. We are all part of the environmental problems. Our consumption generates pollution which leads to poor air quality and acid rain which turn to ozone depletion; sustainable development enable us to become more responsible in our consumption so we will be able to protect our natural resources. Empowering our communities will provide quality education for future generations.

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References:

https://www.unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/our-work/social/human-rights

http://business-humanrights.org/en/business-human-rights-a-brief-introduction

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Women/WRGS/Pages/WRGSIndex.aspx

http://vcampus.uom.ac.mu/soci1101/432_difference_between_gender_equality_and_gender_equity.html

http://www.worldbank.org/depweb/english/sd.html

http://www.environmentalscience.org/sustainability

Group Case: Lamoiyan Corporation – Pedro's Commitment to the hearing impaired

Dr. Cecilio Kwok Pedro is the CEO and President of Lamoiyan Corporation, the company famous for its toothpaste brand “Hapee”.

In 1978, he opened Aluminum Container Inc., a business that relied on orders for aluminum tubes for multinational companies such Colgate – Palmolive and Unilever. For 10 years, Dr. Pedro’s business boomed. However, in early 1986, Dr. Pedro closed ACI when his clients shifted from using aluminum tubes for its packaging, to laminated plastic tubes for packing of its toothpastes. Despite the adversity, Dr. Pedro launched his own toothpaste company, named Lamoiyan Corporation, and the brand Hapee was born.

Dr. Pedro’s belief that corporations should not only focus on making profits but also on having positive impact to society. He prioritized the PWDs and hired hearing impaired individuals and re-hired his previous employees from ACI including the hearing impaired. In its factory, the hearing impaired employees are assigned to labor intensive positions as either line assist employees, machine assist employees, or machine operators, which maximize their technical skills and capabilities; and received the same treatment, trainings/seminars and benefits.

Currently, Lamoiyan Corporation has a number of CSR programs which include Dental Outreach and taking care of the environment. The company launched a series of activities in support of DEAF, Inc. They also produced a video featuring several celebrities expressing their support to the advocacy project.

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With this case, it’s good to know that there’s still company who value the PWDs and hearing impaired and they are aiming to hire more as the company expand. PWDs are loyal to the company and they can work in almost every field. Hiring PWDs demonstrates the company’s commitment to a diverse workplace. It send a positive message about the firm and its value to customers, investors, and staff members.

The most important that our group learned in this case, are the relevance of human rights to companies and the role of business in sustainable development. Respecting human rights is the right thing to do. It is in line with core business values such as integrity, respect for people and equal opportunity. Sustainable development requires meeting the basic needs of all and extending to all the opportunity to satisfy their aspirations for a better life.

References:

http://www.gcnetherlands.nl/docs/how_to_business_with_respect_for_human_rights_gcn_netherlands_june2010.pdf

http://www.un-documents.net/ocf-02.htm

Our Group Service Learning at Word Community Church

Finally, we done our first part of community service in Word Community Church today. It is a blessed and wonderful day for us to spend our time in teaching and sharing our knowledge in the community.

I discussed the importance of planting and taught them how to plant seeds such as garlic and tomato inside their house. What is the importance of planting seeds? First, it can help our economy; second, we can use it in our cooking; and last, we can sell it so we may have additional income.

Also, part of our learning activities is to teach them on how to make graham balls. The ingredients cost is P200 (more or less) and profit of P130 (more or less). They can sell it to have additional income. Why do we need to teach them? We teach them so we may develop the community’s mindset to incorporate savings as part of their habit; create awareness in the community on the importance of savings - why this should be done and how it can be achieved; and inform the community that there are possible ways on how to earn additional and sustainable income.

These are the pictures that I've taken, other members have the other pictures.

After completing the first part of our service learning, it’s a great feeling to serve others. I’ve realized that it’s an honor for me to be part of this activity. In our own little way and without expecting something in return, we make them happy and aware of the value of savings. 

I have learned that social responsibility includes the engagement of each person towards the community where he/she lives which can be expressed as an interest towards what’s happening in the community, as well as in the active participation in solving of some of the local problems.

CSR is not only for companies but it’s also for individual social responsibility. Our conduct defines what kind of person we are, in the eyes of others and no less importantly, in our own. Being social responsible means that people and organizations must behave ethically and with sensitivity toward social, cultural, economic and environmental issues.

“Each of us is a being in himself and a being in society, each of us needs to understand himself and understand others, take care of others and be taken care of himself.”  ~ Haniel Long

Reference: http://www.imasocialentrepreneur.com/social-responsibility/