Responsibility is attractive
The responsible attitude of the company to its product, employees, consumers and partners are the components of modern business, which implements corporate social responsibility (CSR) in its activity. This choice implies a harmonious coexistence, active participation in solving social problems and social interaction.
UAFM never stands apart from innovations that affect the development of business and society. Therefore, on April 29, together with the experts of NGO “International Environmental Security”, a webinar “Corporate Social Responsibility – An Innovative Approach for Enhancing Business Attractiveness” was held.
Speakers of the webinar were:
Ilona Yelets’ka
Head of the Department of Social Responsibility of NGO “International Environmental Security”. I got higher education at NTUU «KPI them. Igor Sikorsky “speciality” Organizer of nature management “, II higher education at NTUU” KPI them. Igor Sikorsky ” speciality “ Environmental Engineer ”. He is a graduate of the initial centre of SIONAS company in the course of Fundraising and Grant Manager. She has experience managing environmental projects and designing, supporting documentation, maintaining and marketing social networks, setting up, designing promotional materials and maintaining a website. She was the speaker of vocational guidance training at Joy.Job.Choice International Charitable Foundation, conducted field trips for environmental students, acted as a speaker in the framework of a staff training project.
Alina Boyko
Deputy Director, Head of Educational and Educational Direction of NGO “International Environmental Security”. I higher education NTUU «KPI them. Igor Sikorsky “speciality” Organizer of nature management “, II higher education at NTUU” KPI them. Igor Sikorsky “speciality” Ecologist. Teacher at universities and colleges. ” She attended the Towards 2030 Agenda: A summer school for climate change, innovation and youth advocacy in water management in Poland. He is currently receiving a PhD in Ecology. During his scientific activities, he has a significant number of speeches at the All-Ukrainian and International scientific and technical conferences on the topics of his own research in the field of environmental sanitation in Ukraine. The jury of the All-Ukrainian Competition of Inventive and Innovative Projects of Ecological-Naturalistic Direction and All-Ukrainian Biological Forum of Student and Student Youth “Touch of Nature”. Participant in the AquaSchool project and NGO Environmental Initiatives.
Ilona began her presentation with a story about the activity of NGO “International Environmental Security”, which brings together socially conscious and responsible representatives of different structures around them in order to create environmentally safe conditions and to promote the conscious attitude of citizens to the environment. The organization operates on the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals, first and foremost a partnership for sustainable development.
After a brief presentation by the Organization, Ilona went on to cover CSR.
Advantages and opportunities of implementing CSR for business:
- Addressing acute social problems;
- Consumer loyalty and increased sales;
- Attracting and retaining talented staff;
- Entering the international market and improving competitiveness;
- Better brand awareness and positive business reputation;
- Possibilities of attracting additional investments;
- Personal contribution to the dissemination of sustainable development principles
The speaker drew attention to the fact that CSR is today a priority for business management because of the need to take into account the consequences of social and environmental activities. She noted that Ukraine joined the signing and definition of the 17 UN Global Sustainable Development Goals – a common call for action aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring peace and prosperity for all people in the world.
Ilona cites CSR implementation and asset management statistics from 2018, where almost all large companies have fully implemented responsible investment policies, and this trend is growing among small companies.
CSR Trends:
● Leadership in social issues
● Corporate CSR compliance
● Actions, not words. The opportunity to show what you and your company are about
● Involvement of the team in project implementation
● CSR focus on human and social interests
After covering the general trends and experience of CSR implementation in the world, Ilona spoke about the current situation in Ukraine and about the trends of CSR during quarantine, emphasizing the establishment of business in the way of interaction with society.
CSR trends during quarantine:
● Building social responsibility functions among Ukrainian businesses.
● People’s interest and expectations for business activities.
● The crisis allows companies to understand the importance of community engagement and assistance.
● The cohesion of companies of different profiles.
● Companies interact with organizations and foundations.
Ilona emphasized the need to capture consumers’ attention for a smoother exit from the crisis and cited examples of companies that successfully engage with consumers in the language of satisfying everyone’s interests in responsible care for hospitals, laboratories and social groups in need of support.
Implementation of the eco-cluster system program
The next speaker of the webinar, Alina Boyko, spoke about the implementation of eco-cluster assistance programs that unite people in solving environmental problems and improving the conditions for the coexistence of the human-nature system.
Alina reported on the initiatives and projects implemented to create a safe living environment for all within the framework of the sustainable development goals of the International Environmental Safety NGO
Sustainable Development Goals:
● quality education;
● clean water and proper sanitation;
● responsible consumption and production;
● mitigation of climate change;
● protection of land ecosystems
Further, the speaker drew attention to the benefits of cooperation with NGO International Environmental Safety, including:
● Expertise in responsible consumption;
● awareness of the needs of the public;
● Variability and ability to involve the team in project implementation;
● the orientation of projects in the field of ecology, the introduction of environmental innovations, the achievement of environmental awareness among the population – solving problems for safe living conditions.
The last block of the webinar was the presentation of project proposals for cooperation in environmental activities:
● World Environment Day.
● A day without polyethene.
● Tree planting on Christera Hill.
● Cleaning day at VDNH.
● Aquaplogging – kayaking garbage collection, which involves collecting a full bin in 2 free kayaking hours.
Among the offers of cooperation are ECOTIMBILDING and personal image environmental event and eco-education in educational institutions.
The speakers invited the furniture industry audience to join environmental projects and implement corporate social responsibility to save the planet, improve the standard of living and business success in Ukraine and the world.
Let’s create the best furniture environment in Ukraine!
