Corporate Social Responsibility National public policies in the ...

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - National public policies in the European Union
had the support of the European Commission and UN
Global Compact, and was the first in a series of steps
aimed at strengthening the cooperation on CSR
between Europe and Latin America.
Research
The Danish Institute of Social Research is carrying out a
large-scale research programme which started in 1998
and continues until 2009, to monitor developments in
CSR and the inclusive labour market. The institute issues
a yearbook on the results of the study, including a summary
in English. http://www.sfi.dk/sw7411.asp
As part of the People and Profit project mentioned
above, the Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs
has conducted research in the CSR field:
• Preliminary research: researchers from Copenhagen
Business School, Statistics Denmark, Ashridge
Business School and Harvard University have made
inputs to the business case for CSR, which has been
followed up by a survey on CSR activities in Danish
SMEs. See www.eogs.dk/csr
• Research linked to People and Profit: in addition to the
training programme, the Danish Commerce and
Companies Agency and Copenhagen Business School
(CBS) are cooperating on programme-related research.
The outcome will be published in September 2007.
Furthermore, CBS hosts a research panel on CSR in SMEs,
comprising researchers from six universities in Denmark.
The Danish Government provides support to the
human rights impact assessment (HRIA) developed by
the Danish Centre for Human Rights, including economic
support from the PPP Programme. The HRIA is based
on over 80 international human rights agreements and
treaties, and will allow companies to voluntarily evaluate
their business practices and identify operations that
subsequently directly or indirectly violate human rights.
See http://www.humanrights.dk/
Public-private partnerships
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched the
PPP Programme. The objective is to promote public-private
partnerships for better working and living conditions
in developing countries by advancing CSR and increasing
opportunities for investments and competitiveness
through innovation. The PPP Programme offers advisory
services and economic support to companies and organisations
that want to initiate activities within this area.
Since January 1999, it has been mandatory for all
Danish local authorities (municipalities) to form a
Coordinating Committee for Preventive Labour Market
Measures, with representation from social partners,
and other key stakeholders and civil society. Following
a major reform of the municipal system from January
2007, the work will be continued by local employment
councils.
The National Employment Council consists of members
from trade unions, employers federations, association of
municipalities and the Disabilities Council, and advises
the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs on initiatives
for an inclusive labour market.
The National Network of Business Executives, originally
initiated by the Minister of Social Affairs, gathers 16
high-level business leaders from private and public
companies, who act as advisers on CSR to the Minister
of Employment and promote CSR activities.
The Ministry of Employment administers a pool of 'seed
funding' to inspire companies to take responsibilities. It
has supported financially more than 200 local projects.
Six regional business networks for CSR have been established
since 1998, among other things to promote partnerships
between companies and local public
authorities to tackle local social challenges. The networks
are financially supported by the government and
have more than 1,200 member companies.
In 1998 the Danish Government established The
Copenhagen Centre (TCC), an independent institution
focusing on CSR.
See http://www.copenhagencentre.org/sw204.asp
In 2006 a major project to develop cooperation
between companies and municipal job centres was
launched. Facing the major reform of the municipal system
from January 2007, the purpose is to develop new
tools and guidelines for joint efforts to help some of the
least privileged groups into the labour market.
Business incentives
At the annual Network Day, organised by the National
Network of Business Leaders (mentioned above), a
Network award is given to socially responsible companies.
See http://www.socialtansvar.net/sw67.asp
The Ministry of Refugee Immigration and Integration
Affairs awards an annual prize for exemplary efforts to
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