Highlights from the International Singapore Compact CSR Summit 2012

The International Singapore Compact CSR Summit 2012 was held in Singapore today, with over 400 business leaders, CSR practitioners, government officials, academics, students and non-governmental organisations coming together to share and discuss trends, threats and opportunities for corporate social responsibility (CSR).

This annual event, in its 4th year, is organsied by the Singapore Compact for CSR – a national body promoting CSR in Singapore.

Here are some highlights from the summit:

Building a Home With a Heart

The summit was launched by Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Acting Minister for Manpower and Senior Minister of State for National Development. In his keynote speech, Mr Tan calls for companies to absorb the full meaning and values of CSR and embrace it in the truest form.

He added that it is really about building a home with a heart. He said: “And I do believe, honestly, that when we begin to give of ourselves back to society, when we begin to look beyond self, whether it’s individuals or companies, I think we begin to change as a nation and we begin to change society as well.”

Suggesting a Cross Discipline Agency to Adopt CSR Officially

In his opening speech, Mr Kwek Leng Joo, President of Singapore Compact for CSR, shares that sustainability is a global business trend that is here to stay and a reality that businesses cannot afford to ignore.

He highlighted the various initiatives on CSR by the various government ministries and agencies in recent years, and suggested for a cross discipline agency to adopt CSR officially and have an oversight of a strategic and consolidated approach across all CSR disciplines. This would allow greater synergy and help drive the CSR agenda more effectively across all businesses and sectors.

Engaging Youth to Champion CSR

The summit saw the signing of a MOU between Singapore Compact and the National Youth Achievement Awards Council (NYAA) to work together in engaging more youth to champion CSR when they join the workforce.

In addition, the winning student teams from NTU and Murdoch University received their prizes for the CDL-SC Young CSR Leaders Award. The competition provided the students an opportunity to help companies execute CSR principles within a real-life business scenario.

Enabling CSR Journeys – Knowledge Sharing for Sustainability

A publication called Enabling CSR Journeys – Knowledge Sharing for Sustainability was also launched at the summit. It features four interviews of business leaders from CDL, Fuji Xerox Singapore, NTUC FairPrice, and Origins Exterminator, and cover their companies’ experiences as well as their personal stories in being CSR Champions.

Recognising Companies With Responsible Business Practices

The Singapore Compact CSR Awards recognised companies with responsible business practices in the following categories:

Best Community Developer Award

• CapitaLand Limited (Winner)
• Shell Companies in Singapore (Special Mention)

Caring Employer Award

• Adrenalin Events and Education Pte Ltd (Winner)
• Holiday Inn Atrium Singapore (Special Mention)

Green Champion Award

• NatSteel Holdings Pte Ltd (Winner)
• Keppel Land Limited (Special Mention)

Best Workplace Award

• NTUC Fairprice Co-operative Ltd (Winner)

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