"Participation Builds Unity"
"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"
PRESENTS
AN INTRODUCTION TO
CORPORATE SOCIAL INVESTMENT/RESPONSIBILITY
Peter METCALFE
The phrase “Corporate Social Investment” or “Corporate Social Responsibility” is often construed or interpreted as a social issue to be addressed by ‘Big Business’. The perception that the word “corporate” refers to ‘big business’ or ‘big organisations and/or corporations’ is a misconception.
The OXFORD INTERACTIVE ENCYCLOPAEDIA/DICTIONARY defines the three words, Corporate Social Investment, as follows:
The word ‘corporate’ or ‘corporare’ as taken from Latin, means:
To form into a body - CORPUS: Another Latin derivative for “corps” or “body” or ”group” or “all of us” - in essence “all of us”
The word ‘social’ means: “society or group; a community or group” - translated into Afrikaans (South African) – “gemeenskap” - in essence “community”
The word ‘investment’ means: “putting on clothes” “outer covering of any kind” “surrounding or blockading” “a life-insurance policy” - in essence “to protect”
Therefore: “all of us” - “community” – “protect” or
“All of us protect the community”
This could either be construed as a ‘statement’ or a ‘sentiment’
There is also some confusion with regard the two terminologies used “Corporate Social Investment” and “Corporate Social Responsibility”.
The following useful perception may shed some clarification:
“Responsibility” could be construed as the “intent” while “Investment” could be construed as the “act”
CSI - Corporate Social Investment has been ‘around’ since the beginning of time - Community Development dates back many, many centuries and has always been part of our lives. There is a strong perception that CSI was developed out of necessity shortly after democracy in South Africa in 1994. CSI was not something established to subdue a ‘guilt trip’ Its main purpose “to contribute back into the community” remains a sentiment very evident today.
Finding common ground in various CSI activities (Local Community Development) from the Public Sector (Local Government) and the Private Sector (Local Business and the People) remains problematic. Often the ultimate objectives of the Private Sector differ broadly from the objectives of Public Sector – branding versus votes.
A coordinated effort between the Public Sector and the Private Sector must be emphasised through structured PPP (Public Private Partnerships) using sustainable LED – Local Economic Development programmes.
The Foundation for the Development of Africa defines Sustainable Development as follows:
“Sustainable Development is the action and/or act of bringing people and/or processes into position for the effective use in the support and/or delivery of efforts, conducts and cause!"
PPP (Public Private Partnerships) may be one vehicle to address the urgent need of “bringing people and/or processes into position” and must be seen as one of the most important processes in our efforts to implement and maintain Sustainable Corporate Social Development.
Concerted efforts from both the Public Sector and the Private Sector should be implemented to address the disparities evident and to ensure sustainability.
“NONE OF US IS AS GOOD AS ALL OF US”
Peter METCALFE
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THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA
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BACK TO CORPORATE SOCIAL INVESTMENT
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"Sustainable Development is the action and/or act of bringing people
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and/or processes into position for the effective use in the support and/or delivery
of efforts, conducts and the cause!"
The Foundation for the Development of Africa
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