2007 International Day of Cooperatives

Theme

“Cooperative Values and Principles for Corporate Social Responsibility”
“Los principios y valores cooperativos para la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial”
“Valeurs et principes coopératifs en faveur de la responsabilité sociale des entreprises”

Messages from members

Background

The theme of the International Day highlighted the fact that cooperatives are by their very nature enterprises that balance or integrate economic, environmental, and social imperatives while at the same time addressing their members’ and stakeholders’ expectations, thus promoting “corporate social responsibility” or CSR.

Corporate social responsibility is an evolving term with no standard definition or a fully recognized set of specific criteria. However, there is general agreement that it aligns business operations with social values. CSR focuses on the social, environmental, and financial success of an enterprise that also positively impacts society through two main concepts—accountability and transparency.

CSR commitments and activities typically address aspects of an enterprise’s behaviour (including its policies and practices) with respect to such key elements as health and safety, environmental protection, human rights, human resource management, corporate governance, community development, consumer protection, labour protection, supplier relations, business ethics, and stakeholder rights.

Enterprises are motivated to involve stakeholders in their decision-making and to address societal challenges, because today’s stakeholders are increasingly aware of the importance and impact of decisions by corporations and other enterprises on society and the environment. Stakeholders can reward or punish enteprises. Enterprises can be motivated to change their commercial behaviour in response to the business case which a CSR approach potentially promises. This includes:

  • stronger financial performance and profitability (e.g. through eco-efficiency),
  • improved accountability to and assessments from the investment community,
  • enhanced employee commitment,
  • decreased vulnerability through stronger relationships with communities, and
  • improved reputation and branding.

General Information on CSR

Information on cooperatives and CSR

Cooperative sustainability reports or websites

Other information of interest