krodger Submitted by
Kirsteen Rodger

Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value Laureate announced

27. May 2010 17:48

This evening, the non-profit organisation, International Development Enterprises (IDE) Cambodia, was awarded the first Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value for a rural development project which aims to improve the living standards of the Cambodian rural population by increasing agricultural productivity and income.

Since 2005, IDE Cambodia has developed a network of small rural entrepreneurs to become Farm Business Advisors (FBAs), selling a range of products and services to help small-scale farmers improve their farming techniques and income.

The FBAs are given training and business support by IDE to assist farmers to initiate, intensify, or expand market-oriented agricultural production.

Through this approach, farmers become more effective producers and marketers, thereby increasing their revenue. In turn, FBAs earn an additional income from selling their products and services at a profit.

 

Creating  Shared Value is right at the heart of this project.  If the farmers are successful, the FBAs are successful.  The system flourishes only if there is real value being created at the farm level so everyone in the project is heavily invested in the farmers’ success. 

 

Thanks to our commitment of CHF 500,000 (approximately, USD 475,000), IDE Cambodia will significantly expand this project and positively impact an additional 20 000 people in more than 4 000 rural households. This adds to the 4 500 farmers the IDE already supports in Cambodia.

More information about the CSV Prize can be found here.

The Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value is awarded every other year to an individual, NGO, or small business. 

This is to encourage and reward an outstanding innovation for improving access to and management of water, improving the lives of farmers and rural communities, or bringing improved nutrition to populations suffering from nutritional problems.

You can watch a film about IDE Cambodia here. Pictures of the project in action are also available here.  

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Categories: Creating Shared Value | Rural Development

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krodger Submitted by
Kirsteen Rodger

CEO of Nestlé Philippines calls for ‘era of collaboration’ in Creating Shared Value

26. May 2010 19:32

John Martin Miller, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé Philippines, opened our Asia, Oceania and Africa (AOA) region’s first Creating Shared Value Forum in Manila on 23 April 2010 with a call for multinationals, and other businesses and organisations to form ‘an era of collaboration’, to reinforce the increasing role of the private sector in sustainable development.

Held in partnership with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the Asian Institute of Management, the Ramon V. Del Rosario Center for Corporate Social Responsibility and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the event aimed to engage a diverse group of people from government, non-government organisations, as well as the private sector, with the evolving concept of CSV.

Around 260 attendees, including those from academia, the media, bi and multi-lateral aid agencies, and a number of Nestlé employees, listened to the expert panel discuss issues relating to nutrition, water and rural development in the Philippines. Topics ranged from the need to promote affordable but healthy food to consumers in the lowest socio-economic brackets to why managing water use for the future must be a real consideration today.

Professor Mark Kramer, Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, who along with Harvard Senior Fellow Mr. Michael Porter coined the term CSV, was the keynote speaker. Explaining the thinking behind making the transition from Corporate Social Responsibility to Creating Shared Value, he emphasised the importance of strengthening collaborative ties with different sectors of society to provide not only competitive success but to also make a material difference.

Best practice examples of some of our own CSV programmes that are making a real impact in the Philippines were displayed in an accompanying exhibition. These included ‘Cut and Sew’, a new initiative offering women the opportunity to generate income by repairing Nestlé factory workers’ uniforms, and ‘Ice Cream Street Selling’, which recruits local entrepreneurs to act as micro-distributors of Nestlé products.

For us, regional events like this, in addition to our annual international CSV Forum, held this year in London, are an important way of beginning and maintaining dialogue with other organisations and different sectors of society around some of the most important issues we all face. Following this first event in our AOA region, we hope not only to extend our own reach by identifying areas and connections where we can collaborate to create shared value, but to also encourage other businesses to make a long-term difference to the Philippines’ development by focusing on those specific areas where they can make the greatest impact. View photos from the Philippines Forum.

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Categories: Creating Shared Value | Nutrition

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

The role of farmers in sustainable farming

2. April 2010 10:59
Farming accounts for 70 percent of water used in the world today, depleting supplies and polluting lakes and rivers. On the occasion of World Water Day, the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) underlines the key role of farmers as guardians of freshwater and calls on governments and intergovernmental agencies to provide farmer-centred investment. Here is one example of how Nestlé is helping farmers in the Parma region of Italy to increase their production of tomatoes whilst reducing their water consumption. 

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

CSV – the new CSR

17. March 2010 09:40
Corporate social responsibility, corporate citizenship, corporate accountability, stakeholder engagement, sustainable development. These are just a sample of different terms that express the same concept. But what does CSR really mean? The conventional concept of CSR is philanthropic contributions and aid by corporations. However, this understanding of CSR is largely being questioned and criticised by opinion leaders, NGOs, responsible investors, and media alike. Others, particularly in the western hemisphere, have a conflicting opinion that governments and not companies should generally be responsible for social benefits. Recently, I have come across a lot of blog posts and news articles looking at how CSR has changed over the last few years with a move away from responsibility with an emphasis now on social – “CSR is no longer about what companies aren't doing wrong but about what they are doing right.” Marian Salzman’s blog in The Huffington Post discusses how social networks are becoming increasingly significant in raising awareness, promoting causes and fund-raising. Terence Corcoran, writing for the National Post talks about the inverse relationship between the rise of responsibility and stakeholder governance theories and corporate performance. Michael Edwards, in the Guardian, points out some of the challenges these more traditional practice of corporate philanthropy deflects attention away from the need to change core business practices to add more value to communities receiving aid. Also in The Huffington Post, Jeffrey Hollender adds to the calls for a Corporate Responsibility 2.0 which utilises business competition over a philanthropic approach, through his new book, The Responsibility Revolution: How the Next Generation of Businesses Will Win written with co-author Bill Breen. If not the conventional CSR approach, what is the way forward for businesses? The first and most basic action is thinking long-term and following sound business principles to create value for shareholders and for society through its activities --- in terms of jobs for workers, taxes to support public services, and economic activity in general. But there is also a further step that companies can take – creating shared value. A company should consciously identify areas of focus, where shareholders’ interest and society’s interest strongly intersect and where value creation can be optimised for both. As a result, the company invests resources, both in terms of talent and capital, in those areas where the potential for joint value creation is the greatest. Due to the nature of our company and its operations, Nestlé has chosen nutrition, water, and rural development as the areas with greatest potential for joint value optimisation. You can find more of Nestlé’s CSV operations on www.nestle.com/csv.

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

What drives business toward CSR?

17. March 2010 08:54
A recent survey by the Consumer Good Forum lists corporate responsibility as the second highest priority for retail and consumer goods executives.  This clearly demonstrates companies’ confidence and thus their sustained interest in CSR despite the economic downturn. But what drives business toward CSR and sustainability? Why are companies focusing on environmental and social issues? It is a matter of risk and opportunity – preventing or mitigating risk and identifying and creating new opportunities for business. Although there are moral and sustainability arguments for companies to address environmental and social issues, it is important for businesses to understand the interconnectivity between companies, society and the environment. Particularly, as there is mounting pressure for companies to become transparent and take responsibility for the negative, and often unintended, side-effects of their activities. Understanding this intricate relationship will enable companies to realise how the impacts of the environment and society subsequently lead to challenges as well as opportunities for their business. Risks for businesses can be reputational: damage to brand & image or challenge to “license to operate”; operational: reduced availability of raw materials (such as water, timber, fuel), higher costs of these raw materials, disruption to business operations; legal: new government regulations, penalties, lawsuits, restrictions on expansion of operations, higher transaction costs. Change in customer preferences is also a major risk that companies can face. Identifying these risks at an early stage can itself create business opportunities. There are opportunities to increase resource efficiency, shape national and international policy, develop new products, create new investment opportunities, and differentiate brand. This is why one can see a dramatic increase in the number of companies creating CSR programmes and initiatives and providing CSR or sustainability reports based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines. Post-recession, (hopefully) businesses have realised that they need to take a more long-term and holistic approach to integrate of environmental, social, and governance issues in their policy and operations. A responsible business will aim to align its investment decisions with the expectations and needs of society – who are not just the end, but also the beginning of the investment chain. The creating shared value concept which Nestlé has embraced does exactly that – simultaneously creating value for society AND its shareholders.

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

Corporate Social Responsibility: a valid tool or just a toy?

12. March 2010 10:27
Corporate Social Responsibility programmes are now common place across the business world.  What constitutes successful CSR, however, continues to be questioned, especially as the economic crisis dominates headlines.  Now, more than ever, Corporate Social Responsibility programmes need to earn their place in the business world.  This week, three commentators are united in their recognition that there is a real value in maintaining and supporting CSR projects, but only if organisations ensure all projects contribute to the core business.  The future lies in creating shared value, not simply charity for charity's sake. The first of these commentators, Mike Pandey who writes in the Economic Times, argues that Corporate Social Responsibility principally provides companies with a 'tool created for giving back'.  He questions, however, whether we have used the tool in the way in which it was first intended.  He discusses the strain we have collectively placed on the Earth's resources, suggesting that the economic downturn has forced us into a period of retrospection and introspection.  He questions whether we have done enough to 'pay back what we have taken' from the Earth and suggests that this may be an empty promise for many companies and corporations.  Some, however, have begun to live up to their promises, taking the first steps towards making CSR something real and valid within a company, for real benefit to the world around us.  He concludes that a 'greater collective effort is needed if we want a change, if we want a future'. Julian Evans of the Wall Street Journal agrees that that the global recession has forced companies to reassess what their corporate social responsibility means to them.  More so than Mike Pandey, Evan is hopeful that this is giving companies the opportunity to ensure that their CSR projects are core to the wider business values and intentions, rather than 'marginal initiatives'. Very much in line with the central arguments that sit behind Creating Shared Value, Evans refers to the comments of Eric Schmidt, chief executive of Google at Davos; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpDjcuYVWxo who said that he sees no difference between the social responsibilities of business and their fundamental business responsibilities. Not only must a business use their CSR projects to support the wider business needs and objectives, this integration must then be clearly communicated through CSR reporting.  Prakash Sethi writes on this issue for Ethical Corporation, stressing that a business' CSR programme must have both business and social benefits if it is to be seen positively by consumers.  He argues that companies need to ensure their corporate social responsibility reporting has a sense of true integrity. Sethi writes that the 'new emphasis' in CSR reporting is to focus on a company's core business activities and their impact on the sustainability of the planet's environment and inhabitants. We aim to achieve this with Creating Shared Value.  There’s a mutual business and philanthropic benefit to be had from projects that are sincerely devised to assist the world around us while furthering the values and needs of the business.  One example of this is the work being done in Latin America to ensure that Creating Shared Value is at the heart of each stage of the value chain.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNlEvxxp2fU

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

Does CSR make good business sense?

24. February 2010 10:29
Does mainstreaming CSR make good business sense? Do they actually positively impact a company’s bottom-line? Craig Smith writes about why mainstreaming CSR still makes good business sense, even during an economic downturn when CSR is not high on the priority list of many companies. Lisa Cohen, in a recent post on CSRWire also discusses whether socially responsible investment (SRI) strategies produce results.   Nestlé is one example a company doing well by doing good. Creating Shared Value, which is Nestlé approach towards CSR, is a fundamental part of Nestlé’s way of doing business, which focuses on specific areas of the Company’s core business activities where value can best be created both for society and shareholders. With an organic growth of 4.1% achieved in 2009, Nestlé has been able to grow substantially faster than the industry. I would like to invite you to share examples of companies you think are doing good work in integrating CSR in their business operations.

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bwettstein Submitted by
Barbara Wettstein

Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value: Winner to be announced on 27 May

16. February 2010 17:28
The first edition of the Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value was a great success with more than 500 applications received from all over the world. Thank you to all participants for sending us their project applications! Applications received represented a broad range of approaches to problems of nutrition, water, or rural development. Examples of projects included innovative solutions for improving access to and management of water, for improving the lives of farmers and rural communities, or delivering high nutritional value to populations suffering from nutritional deficiencies. The Nestlé Prize Screening Committee selected the best applications from the pool of entries and the Nestlé Advisory Board on Creating Shared Value will choose the Nestlé Prize Laureate. Mark your calendar: the winner will be announced on 27 May, 2010! The Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value seeks to recognize successes in the areas of nutrition, water, and rural development. More information about the Prize can be found on http://www.nestle.com/CSV/CSVatNestle/CsvPrize/About.htm. Nestlé will commit to the Prize winner an investment of up to CHF 500,000 for a specified period of time, to assist in the development and scale-up of the innovation.

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Categories: Creating Shared Value | Nutrition | Rural Development | Water

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

Creating Shared Value: The new concept of corporate social responsibility

27. January 2010 15:24
An abstract of Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe’s speech on why CSR has recently become topical and why we are observing a fundamental change in economic circles towards this issue. The reason is the recent global financial and economic crisis. The last 18 months have made businesses increasingly aware that you can have long-term success only if you create the same value for shareholders and for society or the community in which you operate. There is now a change in attitude with regard to the social responsibilities of businesses, which has been traditionally been limited to philanthropic and charitable activities, often undertaken by companies to enhance their reputation. For Nestlé, the observance of the Business Principles, national laws, and international standards is not only to ensure that our activities are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically viable, or the role of a good corporate citizen. Our approach of creating shared value, delves deeper. We aim to work with the entire value chain to bring real benefits to business, society, customers and products.  A single company cannot solve all the world’s problems, but every company can have its unique value chain aligned with sustainable positive impact - and in a manner which adds value to its shareholders.

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

Efficient Coffee Production at Nescafé: spent coffee solids as energy

27. January 2010 15:22

A short video on how coffee solids are used as fuel in the Nescafe production process, while maintaining the highest quality of coffee possible, at the right price for consumers.

 

 

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

Reducing Food Insecurity

26. January 2010 16:46
A major factor contributing to poverty and hunger is food insecurity, or the lack of sustainable physical or economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food for healthy and productive living. The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has projected that, in 2009, over 1 billion people will go to bed hungry, and estimates that the world will need until 2050 to boost agricultural investment by US$83bn a year to feed a growing population. Speaking on the issue of food security at the Private Sector Forum in Milan, Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe stressed the need for and the willingness of the private sector to be actively involved in addressing this issue. He emphasised that reducing food insecurity is not just about taking measures to produce more food, it is also about taking measures that actually change expectations and lead to sound long-term food security and called for bold solutions to tackle this issue. In his presentation, Mr. Brabeck-Letmathe explains that there are five major challenges to overcome long-term global food insecurity: necessary quantities (basic calories and proteins) in a sustainable manner, generating reliable incomes for farmers, affordability of the food for low-income consumers, quality of food (including nutritional value and safety), and access (food at the right time, in the right form, at the right place). It is unfortunate and ironic that most of the people that are under-nourished or malnourished are primarily farmers, and come from rural areas. Click here to view video. I welcome your views on how private sector companies can confront and combat the issue of global food insecurity.

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Categories: CSR | Corporate Social Responsibility | Creating Shared Value | Nutrition

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

Nescafé Street Barista – Creating Opportunities for Street Vendors in Thailand

11. December 2009 13:34
Thais love their cuppa coffee, and in the sweltering heat, a glass of ice coffee can be especially refreshing. Street vending in Thailand is part of local culture and one can find a lot of independent street stalls selling beverages. In 2006, Nestlé discovered the huge potential of street Baristas and invited a group of vendors to discuss how Nestlé could create value for them and improve their standard of living Most vendors were keen to learn how to provide professional service and market their products better. Thus, Nestlé organised a workshop for vendors who were trained on a variety of issues ranging from basic operations such as safety and hygiene, taste, decoration and merchandising to retaining customer base. In the past three years, this initiative has expanded tremendously, with a huge wave of interest in 2008-2009 following a massive layoff from factories due to the economic downturn in Thailand. Nestlé has created income opportunities for 750 new street entrepreneurs who sell beverages in kiosks, push-carts, or mopeds. As street vending is not taxed, a vendor can earn as much as a factory worker working 6 days a week, and on a very good day, earn as much as a management executive. This programme is now supported by the Ministry of Labour in Thailand and co-sponsored by the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), and has been selected by the Thai Government as part of the Fast Track Fund Support Programme for the unemployed. Nestlé hopes to recruit 600 new entrepreneurs by the end of 2009 and is aiming to reach 1,000 new vendors in 2010.  A win-win approach for the street vendors as well as for Nestlé!

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

The shift in Corporate Social Responsibility

11. December 2009 13:29
In the past decade, there has been a significant shift in the way the private sector has addressed corporate social responsibility (CSR) – from inserting an environmental section to their annual financial report and only reacting to issues when it hit the media to being pro-active and embedding CSR as part of their day-to-day business operations. Bill Greenhalgh, in his recent article on CSR in the Financial Post, mentioned Nestlé’s work in the milk districts in India as “the ultimate example of altruistic self-interest” by continuously implemented initiatives that have improved the quality of life of the communities around its factories. Over the past 50 years, Nestlé has developed artificial insemination programmes for cattle, subsidised farmers’ purchase of milking machines and helped procure loans for the community. In addition, company veterinarians and agronomists supervise the milk routes and advise farmers on the most appropriate feed for the herds and milk storage facilities have been set up in close location to the farmers.  Corporations need to change the way they manage “people, planet, and profit” and embrace CSR as the way they do business.

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

Creating Shared Value by Kofi Annan

11. December 2009 13:25
  Annan_CSVForum Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan recently addressed an audience of around 400 people at the Nestlé Creating Shared Value (CSV) Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mr Annan stressed the importance of CSV emphasising that it is a positive way of being responsible – whether by transferring technology or by making a contribution against climate change, or by efficiently using energy. He believed the CSV model could be used as a model by rich and poor countries and said it is possible to make profit with sustainability while giving something to society. He suggested that the best way to make sustainability a shared value is to exploit resources rationally, believing that sound societies have to be based on peace, security, economical balance, respect for human rights and the rule of law – which should not be left to governments alone. Mr Annan also sent a message to young people motivating them to play a constructive role in their communities, to become good global citizens, make good choices and have an active voice in the world.

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

KitKat goes Fairtrade in the UK and Ireland

11. December 2009 13:16
Fairtrade KitKat Nestlé UK has announced its four-finger Kit Kat bar will be certified by Fairtrade* in the United Kingdom and Ireland from January 2010. The UK Fairtrade certification is one example of Nestlé’s global commitment to promote sustainable cocoa production and support farmers and cocoa farming communities through The Cocoa Plan. Nestlé has been working in Côte d’Ivoire – one of the poorest countries in the world – for over 50 years. The Fairtrade certification of Kit Kat will facilitate long-term direct commitments to cocoa co-operatives in Côte d’Ivoire, including additional payments for the farmers to invest in community or business development projects of their own choice, such as improving healthcare and schools. This is part of a long-term plan of Nestlé to create shared value in rural areas of where farming communities are solely dependent on coffee and cocoa for their livelihood. The Cocoa Plan will also benefit Ivorian farmers by offering Nestlé’s agricultural and scientific know-how to improve the quality and yield of cocoa plants, offer farmer training and education, while improving the social conditions for farmers and their communities. We welcome readers to share similar initiatives that create shared value in rural communities and demonstrate the responsible use of natural resources as well as enhances the well-being of the farming communities. * The Fairtrade Foundation, established in 1992, is the independent non-profit organisation that ensures disadvantaged farmers and workers in developing countries get a better deal.

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ssteinhagen Submitted by
Susan Steinhagen

Nespresso shares new insights on coffee farm economics

20. November 2009 13:03

Guillaume Le Cunff, Nestlé Nespresso SA, addressing the Forum Specialists from academia, industry, farming, NGOs, public and agri-finance gathered together at the Third Nestlé Nespresso AAA   Sustainable Quality™ Coffee Forum to discuss the theme Financing the Future and Creating Real Farmer Income™. Expert debate focused on the Nespresso concept of Real Farmer Income™ to develop a clear roadmap to build and finance a truly sustainable future for the highest quality coffee sector. Launched in collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance in 2003, the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program aims to safeguard the long-term supply of highest quality coffee, while at the same time improve the quality of life of farmers and their communities. Nespresso has committed to a target to source 80% of its coffee through the AAA Program, from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms, by 2013 as a part of Ecolaboration™ the Nespresso platform for sustainable innovation. Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter,  one of the originators of the shared value concept and member of the Nestlé Creating Shared Value Advisory Board, said: "Nespresso's innovative program, which helps farmers achieve higher prices, better yields, and greater environmental performance and sustainability,  is not driven by charity but by creating value. Nespresso will benefit strategically from the quality improvements that farmers achieve and coffee supplies that will be far more sustainable over time. It is this alignment between corporations and social challenges, not a mindset of separation and tradeoffs, which is the key to both economic and social progress." Participants also reviewed a ground-breaking study commissioned by Nespresso and undertaken by INCAE, the leading South American business school. Professor Lawrence Pratt from INCAE stated that is a real opportunity for Nespresso to continue to positively contribute to improving farming and management practices to deliver long term economic creation as well as environmental and social benefits. Please click here for more information on Nespresso Ecolaboration™, including Real Farmer Income™.

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mhsato Submitted by
mhsato

Aguah, The Spirit of Waters

11. November 2009 17:38
“Aguah – O Espírito das Águas” (Aguah – The Spirit of the Waters) “Children, my name is Doctor Persévus Águs and here is your mission: we need to find Águah, the spirit of the Water. Water is now tainted in red and it does not get things wet anymore. It is crucial to save the Water of our planet. Let’s go!” Doctor Persévus’ call sounds like an energizer to the 50 children attending the interactive theater session at the Gurapiranga dam in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Divided into three groups, they walk into the forest nearby and navigate through the dam to reveal the mysterious Águah. On their way, they meet cannibals, the frog people, and a very suspicious scientist who tries to deviate the group from their goal. More importantly, the children learn about the importance of water, our individual responsibility to preserve it, and how to avoid waste and pollution. Adventure all over! Children, teachers, and parents, --- everybody gets involved in this mission to save water. They leave the play with a smile on their faces, and with an understanding on how each one can contribute to preserve water and its importance to life. During the week, children from public schools attend the Águah sessions. Weekends are dedicated to the public using the Gurarapiranga park. By the end of 2009, this project will have received 7,000 children. The play is a joint effort of Nestlé Brazil through its Cuidar Programme, dedicated to the environment conservation focused on water, and the Sao Paulo Environment State Department.

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Cécile Duprez-Naudy

The global economic crisis and impacts on children and caregivers

11. November 2009 09:11
A new ODI background note, commissioned by the UNICEF Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, assesses the evidence about the current and potential impacts of the ‘Triple F crisis’ (food, fuel, financial) on children and women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It draws on an analytical framework developed by ODI’s Social Development Programme to assess the impacts of economic crises on children’s experiences of poverty and vulnerability, and how government and donor policy responses could determine the severity of these impacts. The paper finds that the crisis is already undermining children’s rights along a number of dimensions, including increased food insecurity and related risks of child malnutrition; rising rates of school dropouts in poorer countries in the region, with concerns about rising child protection threats (including harmful forms of child labour); rising vulnerability among migrant, refugee and IDP families; and significant impacts on the employment prospects of young people, already a major concern in many parts of the region.

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vchan Submitted by
Vanda Chan

Nestlé Malaysia Participates Actively at CSR Asia Summit 2009

10. November 2009 14:46
4092836096_fa2405f0c1 The seventh CSR Asia Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur on 27 and 28 October 2009 and aimed to be the most innovative and challenging conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Asia-Pacific region. The participants were reminded that amidst the global economic crisis, CSR is more important than ever. With the theme “Sustainable Business as the Road to Recovery”, the event was attended by more than 300 delegates from all over Asia. It explored key CSR issues and strategies to demonstrate leadership in times of turbulence. Nestlé Malaysia was an active participant in the Summit, featuring exhibits to introduce Nestlé’s concept of CSR, which is Creating Shared Value (CSV). The booth showcased both local and global CSV initiatives, as well as Nestlé Malaysia’s reporting initiatives. Nestlé’s CSV initiatives in Nutrition, Water and Rural Development were highlighted as exhibits as well as via a video. Apart from the breakout sessions, roundtables, training and stakeholder sessions were also organised for the delegates. The topics were mainly focused on Asia and brought new insights for businesses, governments, NGOs and other CSR practitioners.

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jbee Submitted by
John Bee

Why CEOS should be worried about the environment

6. November 2009 20:04
Nestlé’s priority has always been long-term development, not short-term gains. In early October, Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe discussed his concern about the accelerating deterioration of the environment, our natural resources, and the consequences of that deterioration on global development. According to the WWF and Global Footprint Network, 25% of the world population faces water scarcity, and household water needs are predicted to rise by 61% by 2050. If present trends continue, the livelihoods of one-third of the world population will be affected by water stress in 2025. In his presentation Mr. Brabeck-Letmathe talks about how sustainability is our responsibility to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development does imply limits in technology and resources, but it is an important process of change -- where decisions are made that are consistent with the future, as well as with present needs. I think we all share Mr. Brabeck’s belief that, in order to create value for our shareholders, we need to create value for the farmers that supply us, our employees, our consumers and in the communities we operate. An important step in creating shared economic and social value is demonstrating responsible behavior that is mindful of the future. Download Mr. Brabeck’s presentation here: Why CEOS should be worried about the environment - Sept 2009

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TextBox Video Nutri

 
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Amir Dossal from the United Nations Office for partnerships explains why the private sector - with its expertise, technology, management skills, and global reach - must be encouraged to "invest its creativity" in the Millennium Development Goals.

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Water management

How can we solve the world's water crisis?

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The non-profit organisation, International Development Enterprises (IDE) Cambodia, was awarded the first Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value for a rural development project which aims to improve the living standards of the Cambodian rural population by increasing agricultural productivity and income.

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