In June 2009, a regional conference on ‘Corporate social responsibility in times of crisis’ was held in Bulgaria. Participants included the social partners, representatives of business and governments, as well as academics and stakeholders from Bulgaria, Germany, Romania, Croatia and Ukraine. Representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament were also present to discuss the concept and practical initiatives of corporate social responsibility.
Aims of conference
On 18–19 June 2009, Bulgaria held its fourth regional conference on corporate social responsibility (CSR) (BG0607039I). The conference was entitled ‘CSR in times of crisis’ and was organised by the National Roundtable Bulgaria and the German Technical Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit, GTZ) in Bulgaria, under the auspices of the Bulgarian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (Министерство на труда и социалната политика, MLSP). The purpose of the event was to share successful practices on CSR and provide a platform to encourage the exchange of experiences between representatives of business, state authorities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and trade unions from the Balkan states in southeastern Europe, as well as from other regions. A declaration was adopted at the end of the conference.
Participants and topics discussed
About 120 participants attended the event, including business representatives, trade unions, government representatives, NGOs, academics and stakeholders from Bulgaria, Germany, Romania, Croatia and Ukraine. The European Commission was also represented, alongside members of the European Parliament. Participants discussed whether and to what extent successful CSR policies might contribute to the sustainability of companies in times of global economic crisis.
The European Commissioner for Consumer Rights, Meglena Kuneva, welcomed the participants to the conference and highlighted that CSR initiatives set up a market for all, based on trust. In his speech, the Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimír Špidla, underlined the significance of CSR in providing opportunities for environmentally friendly or ‘green’ production and technology.
Views of participants
The participants were organised into three working groups – representing state authorities, employers, and trade unions and NGOs – to discuss the issues surrounding CSR and to outline their positions and actions in times of crisis.
Role of government
The state should play an active role in the development of CSR by adopting the following measures:
- encouraging entrepreneurs to develop their own CSR strategies by introducing a system of economic incentives for companies implementing CSR principles;
- providing information on good CSR practices and creating greater awareness in this regard among the general public;
- offering support for the development of a professional framework and certification in the sphere of CSR, as well as supporting the development of educational programmes in this field;
- facilitating efforts for the establishment and operation of a unified network for coordinating and providing expertise on CSR activities.
Role of employers
The business representatives identified particular types of initiatives to generate the benefits of CSR, such as:
- intensifying communication and social dialogue between employers and workers;
- training employers on their responsibilities regarding customers, the environment and all other elements of CSR;
- disseminating information on what companies do to apply CSR principles.
Role of trade unions and NGOs
Civil society, including worker representatives and trade unions, should undertake the following actions:
- engage in stakeholder dialogue;
- devise media training on CSR;
- find champions of CSR and draft stronger international treaties to call for proper CSR activities;
- support business efforts to implement the principles of CSR.
National awards for socially responsible companies
For the fourth time, awards were given for the ‘Socially responsible company of the year’. The competition was organised and run by the National Roundtable on the Implementation of Social Standards, in conjunction with MLSP and the State Tourism Agency (Държавна агенция по туризъм). A total of four companies in light industry and four hotels were awarded prizes.
Commentary
According to the participants, CSR is still often understood as a form of charity or a tool to react to certain situations, or as a public relations (PR) initiative. Only seldom is CSR fully integrated into business practices and policies, and is sometimes not fully appreciated by stakeholders. Philanthropic forms of CSR are most at risk in times of economic crisis, whereas strategic types of CSR – that is, where CSR initiatives are harmonised with a company’s main business activities – are more likely to be continued. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should pursue specific approaches to CSR by engaging in social dialogue and contributing to community development at local level.
Tatiana Mihaylova, Institute for Social and Trade Union Research (ISTUR)