Corporate Social Responsibility Forum Pakistan

Two main problems that create an impediment for organizations to realize potential benefits of CSR are that either organization’s adopt CSR ‘out of fear’ to avoid trouble arising from its business practices or the attitude of corporations to treat CSR as a ‘bolt on’ rather than a ‘built in’ to business strategy that makes CSR a burden on business rather than a synergy.

Organizations can only make objective CSR and become change agents for sustainable development. CSR has the potential to provide a link between communities and organization for greater benefit. The link established not only can be a source of sharing the benefits but also would work as a feedback mechanism for the alignment of organizational goals. In Pakistan’s context there is a need to ascertain the efficacy of CSR practices and its linkage with sustainable development through value chain alignment and green economic growth.

From a commercial organization perspective, if communities are linked in a value chain with the organization there are possibilities and scenarios of a symbiotic relationship for mutual progress. In nature, symbiosis or a symbiotic relationship involves two living beings that have a mutually beneficial relationship. Symbiotic is used to describe a relationship between people or organizations that benefits everyone equally.

Corporate Social Responsibility Forum Pakistan (CSRFP) Pakistan is pleased to announce the first international CSR conference and policy dialogue in Islamabad Pakistan on April 02, 2015.

The purpose of the Conference and Policy Dialogue is to provide a platform for mainstreaming CSR practices adopted by Corporate Pakistan. There are around 61,989 local companies and around 838 foreign companies in Pakistan according to SECP 2013 report. The corporate Pakistan is growing and getting bigger and bigger in size. There is a need to channel the corporate resources for public good.

A substantial progress is being visible in the regional context on Corporate Social Responsibility. Governments of region including Bangladesh and India have made efforts to harness the surpluses generated by corporate sector. They include mandatory as well as voluntary measures. It is important for Pakistan to learn from the regional perspective and positively engage the corporate sector through CSR.

The event will provide an opportunity to join and forge CSR discourse in Pakistan and set the policy agenda for government, corporate and civil society.

Core discussions will focus on CSR strategy, funding, resource allocations, corporate reporting and sustainability while identifying policy responses, future business strategies and options for inclusive and sustainable development.

CSRFP is seeking proposals that will facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience around conference themes. Our goal is that all those attending will be inspired to put new ideas into practice following the event. We welcome unique perspectives, and we are especially interested to hear about practical examples of opportunities and challenges.