No CSR Award for Tobacco Company

Companies that have socially damaging core-business should never be allowed to receive corporate social responsibility (CSR) awards. This is advocated by the Chairman of CSR-Philanthropy Trandisciplinary Action Group (CPTAG USM), Dr. Reevany Bustami.
His talk in a philanthropy conference held at Kuala Lumpur which carries the theme “Create More Givers: A Global Conference on Enhancing the Role of Philanthropy in Challenging Times” received coverage from the CSR Digest, an online portal on CSR development.
Enraged by the recent commendation and special mention under Association of Chartered Certified Accountants’ Malaysian Sustainability Reporting Award (ACCA MaSRA) received by the British American Tobacco Company (BAT) he argues whether a tobacco company, which produces a product that causes social defect could win an award on social responsibility.
“How is it possible for a company that produces ‘poisons’ could win an award on corporate social responsibility? There has to be a comphrensive review on how a CSR award winner should be appraised”.
He added that if BAT truly is trying to be ethical it should not apply for the award as it tarnishes the good name of CSR and CSR practitioners. This includes other organizations that run their company related on gambling, alcohol, weapons, the military and tobacco.
Dr. Reevany criticized the reasoning given by the organizer that the award was based on BAT excellent reporting, saying that most reports are neither transparent nor audited and only reflects the fine side of the organizations.
He also said that due to this poor and incomplete reporting standards, foreign SRI (Socially Responsible Investment) that has fund up to billions of dollars are passing by our country.
SRI defines an investment strategy which seeks to maximize both financial return and social good. In general, socially responsible investors favor corporate practices that promote environmental stewardship, consumer protection, human rights and diversity.
“There is a need for a transparent and audited report so that everything done by the organization is included in the report and not just their good deeds”, he avers.

Uncle Jery's Kids' Nationwide Tour 2009-PUTRAJAYA

CSR Philanthropy-Trans Disciplinary Action Group (CP-TAG), University Science of Malaysia in collaboration with Uncle Jery's Kids' Programme has organize a nationwide colouring competition for young learner in Malaysia on 29th March 2009 at SK Putrajaya Presint 11(3).

The main objective of this nationwide tour is to encourage children to enhance their creativity and talent at early age. It is because art play an important role in development of children which they can express things that they cannot put into words through drawing and colouring. At the same time, colouring fosters creativity and stimulates the imagination ability of a child.

During the event, around 200 kids take part in the colouring competition which from SK Putrajaya Present 11(3), SK Putrajaya Presint 8(2), Krista, Tadika Cendiakawan, Tadika Perpaduan, Kemas and other school around Putrajaya.

Definitions of CSR

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development in its publication "Making Good Business Sense" by Lord Holme and Richard Watts, used the following definition. "Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large"

The same report gave some evidence of the different perceptions of what this should mean from a number of different societies across the world. Definitions as different as "CSR is about capacity building for sustainable livelihoods. It respects cultural differences and finds the business opportunities in building the skills of employees, the community and the government" from Ghana, through to "CSR is about business giving back to society" from the Phillipines

Traditionally in the United States, CSR has been defined much more in terms of a philanphropic model. Companies make profits, unhindered except by fulfilling their duty to pay taxes. Then they donate a certain share of the profits to charitable causes. It is seen as tainting the act for the company to receive any benefit from the giving

For instance, the CSR definition used by Business for Social Responsibility is: "Operating a business in a manner that meets or exceeds the ethical, legal, commercial and public expectations that society has of business".

On the other hand, the European Commission hedges its bets with two definitions wrapped into one: "A concept whereby companies decide voluntarily to contribute to a better society and a cleaner environment. A concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis".

ARTICLES BASE:
CSR can be defined as the systematic commitment of a business towards economic development and work towards improving the quality of life of the people working there thus impacting the lives in the society. Basically, CSR is all about business giving back to society.

STIE Surabaya Internship Program

STIE Perbanas Surabaya Intenship Program date of 3 to 28 February 2009 in the CP-TAG (Corporate Social Responsibility & Philantropy Transdiciplinary Group), School of Social Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to conduct activities internships (internship). Five students are Arman Susilo Nugroho, Putra Panji Respati, Dinda Listya Ayuningtyas, Micke Septi Setiawati and Karina Yusdiana Safitri.

Travel the students, who accompanied by Mr. Burhanudin, starting from Juanda Airport, Surabaya to Kuala Lumpur at 08.30 am WIB on on Monday, 2 February 2009. After a trip through for two hours, until finally entourage in KLIA, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Travel to the island of Penang canal from KLIA will take 50 minutes and finally arrived in Penang Island Airport at 17:00 pm local time .

This activity is the result of cooperation between STIE Perbanas Surabaya, Indonesia with the School of Social Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Cooperation is focused on the issue of corporate social responsibility (CSR). In the event internships (internship), the students working with the CP-TAG in the CSR projects in Malaysia. In addition, they were also given special training in preparing the program for potential CSR implemented in Indonesia. The high awareness of some companies to not only pursue profits only, but also have an obligation to take part in reducing social problems, became a great opportunity for the involvement of students in the role as change agents in society.

Others than routine activities in office CP-TAG, the students have an oppurtunity to visit Kek Lok Si, a temple belonging to the Buddha that all buildings be bathed light flickering light. This place is only opened during one month in one year, the month when the new year imlek. Once satisfied to enjoy the beauty of Kek Lok Si, the troupe Quennsbay, a local place to eat seafood with other small islands in the island of Penang. Beside that the students also went shopping at Batu Beringghi night market, visit Masjid Kapitan Keling, Penang Hill, and Fort Cornwallis. In addition the students also visit Putrajaya, KLCC, Midvalley and Ministry of Education.

Uncle Jery's Kids' Nationwide Tour 2009

CSR Philanthropy-Trans Disciplinary Action Group (CP-TAG), University Science of Malaysia in collaboration with Uncle Jery's Kids' Programme has organize a nationwide colouring competition for young learner in Malaysia on 15th February 2009 at Dewan Utama Pelajar A & B.

The main objective of this nationwide tour is to encourage children to enhance their creativity and talent at early age. It is because art play an important role in development of children. In psychology point of view, children can express things that which they cannot put into words through drawing and colouring. At the same time, colouring fosters creativity and stimulates the imagination ability of a child.

Related articles, please click http://www.usm.my/ver4/berita-penuh.asp?id=6438&idform=1

Uncle Jery's Kids' Programme "Colouring Competition"

DATE : 29 March 2009

TIME : 9.00-12.00 PM
DAY : Sunday

VENUE: SK Putrajaya Presint 11(3)

DATE : 15 February 2009

TIME : 9.00-12.00 pm

DAY : Sunday

VANUE : Dewan Utama Pelajar A & B

DATE : 11 January 2009

TIME : 9.00-12.00pm

DAY : Sunday

VANUE: Dewan Utama Pelajar A & B

Our objectives

The objectives of CP-TAG to use CSR to build a all-winning network in order to serve a larger community of practitioners and benefactors including public/private higher learning educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, educational-based consultancies, and business organizations with the ultimate aim of organizational transformation to ensure sustainable living for all.

To raise the levels of awareness and drive amongst various parties including business and non-business organizations in terms of the importance of retooling, reimagining, and reengineering organizations oriented towards sustainable livelihoods

To extend ties and collaborative programmes with MNCs, SMIs and other business entities, with the aim of developing research-cum-service related consultancy on CSR

To develop a portfolio of CSR programs and knowledge know-how and products (such as workshops and transformative tools) through transdisciplinary-based expertise; hence simultaneously building theoretical and practical applications as well as indigenous CSR knowledge reservoir

To support BJIM in all CSR-related activities; thus building a stronger knowledge-based capacity for BJIM and USM to serve the community and promoting USM as the reference point for CSR and sustainable organization

About CP-TAG

CP-TAG was formally launched on September 11,2008 by the Dean of Social Sciences and the Dean of Management Universiti Sains Malaysia. The purpose is to promote and help build successful, sustainable and responsible organizations, especially among businesses in order to ensure long-term prosperity and sustainability.

The objectives is to extend ties and collaborative programmes with MNCs, SMIs and other business entities, with the aim of developing research-cumservice related consultancy on CSR. Furthermore CP-TAG tend to develop a portfolio of CSR programs and knowledge know-how and products (such as workshop and transformative tools) through transdisciplinary-based expertise; hence simultaneously building theoretical and practical applications as well as indigenous CSR knowledge reservoir.

CP-TAG team currently consists of a transdisciplinary group of academic scholars, and business counterpart many of whom are qualified and experienced in various fields. Besides CP-TAG areas of expertise covers community, environment, workplace, marketplace and corporate governance.

CP-TAG has organized the largest Malaysian CSR Research Expo with over a hundred entries. It has brought in businesses into the USM campus to provide short-term and long-term training and collaboration in the form of forums, workshops, internships and projects (e.g. with Intel, Porpoise Marketing, AIA and Talisman). Representatives of CP-TAG USM are also the founding members of the Penang CSR State committee which has carried out advisory consultations as well as on-going activities such as Penang CSR CEO Roundtable Workshop, Penang CSR Training Workshop and Penang Mega CSR Project.

The CP-TAG research team members have also carried out CSR work and initiatives in various capacities with other institutions, including Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Germany's Fraunhofer IFF Institute, and Surabaya's STIE Perbanas.