Heightening Awareness of CSR for Businesses

The Global Compact Network Vietnam (GCNV) has recently held the fourth Members Meeting with the aim of reviewing and evaluating its project “Catalyzing Business Community's Role towards greater Corporate Social Responsibility through Global Compact Principles in Viet Nam” (CBC CSR Project) and review the journey to sustainable development of the Network.

 

The project, launched in February 2009, aims to support and promote the development of GCNV. The goal of the GCNV is to be the national corporate social responsibility centre of excellence. Our job is to identify, anticipate and diffuse the tensions between businesses and communities, businesses and the environment, businesses and the government, businesses and the consumer, leading to sustainable businesses.

 

The GCNV, launched in 2007, is a cutting edge initiative developed in partnership between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the United Nations in Vietnam (UN). After nearly two years of operation, the GCNV now has 96 members, in which 55 percent are companies, 36 percent are nongovernment organisations (NGOs), and 9 percent are academic institutions. GCNV’s activities are to support its members to effectively implement corporate social responsibility in Vietnam by capacity building, network construction, information provision, and to promote initiatives to corporate social responsibility measures in Vietnam.

 

Dr Doan Duy Khuong, Country Director for CBC-CSR Project and Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said: “Investing in corporate social responsibility is a long-term investment on the way to the sustainable development of companies. They should not see corporate social responsibility as an expense. Investing in corporate social responsibility means investing for their people, prosperity, and humanity and everlasting values. That is the development goal of Vietnamese enterprises."

 

Mr Nguyen Quang Vinh, Director of the Business Office for Sustainable Development under VCCI, said: Corporate social responsibility and sustainable development are currently burning concerns and there are many challenges Vietnam needs to address. A lot of companies often see CSR implementation as a cost rather than a long-term investment. They will increase value if they achieve a balance in maintaining profit and implementing corporate social responsibility effectively. With a sustainable network development strategy, GCNV will offer companies opportunities to involve in a totally new, prospective but challenging and difficult field.”

 

However, Mr Vinh added that corporate social responsibility should be improved gradually, based on their capacity, awareness and vision. Investing in humanity and everlasting values is the development goal of Vietnamese enterprises,” Vinh concluded.