responsabilita' sociale delle imprese

"Il sindacato e la responsabilità sociale delle imprese"

Roma 30 Maggio 2002

Message of Anna Diamantopoulou, Europ. Commissary for social affairs

I am delighted to join you in your conference. And applaud your initiative in organising this event.
You are major stakeholders in companies. And you have a significant interest, and role to play, in promoting responsible corporate behaviour.
The theme of CSR is timely and most important. With sustainable development, business behaviour and ethics rising fast on the public policy agenda.
There is a growing recognition that businesses need to be good citizens like everybody else - and play an active and positive role in society. Focusing not only the price and quality of a product or service, but on the social and environmental impact of all the company's activities.

The EU's interest in responsible business is not new. But our commitment was reinforced at the Lisbon Summit in March 2000. When the EU political leaders made a special appeal to companies to promote lifelong learning, work organisation, equal opportunities, social inclusion and environmental protection.
This is why the Commission published a Green Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility in July 2001. And intends to publish a Communication this July following our wide-ranging consultations.
The Commission is particularly pleased with the quality, as well as the scale, of the responses received via the consultation process.
We found a rather broad consensus on the need for businesses to take the social, economic and environmental impact of their actions into account - the famous 'triple bottom line' approach.
But we still need to do much more to convince those who remain sceptical. And who try to maintain a false dichotomy between the needs of the economic world, and those of society at large.

Corporate social responsibility must work for workers as well as the other stakeholders, and society as a whole.
It must be seen as a new way of managing change. Reconciling social progress with improved competitiveness. Showing that CSR reflects good business sense, as well as responsible behaviour.
With socially responsible human resources management helping companies attract and retain the staff they need. And with a working environment that matches the needs of a committed and productive workforce.

Many of the goals that companies are pursuing through responsible business practices are also the goals for European employment and social policy. Including higher levels of employment, and a better quality of life for workers.
Reflecting the conviction that economic, employment and social policies are inter-dependent. And mutually re-enforcing.

So - after this extensive consultation with governments, business, as well as with yourselves, the trade unions, and the NGOs - we will be drafting a Communication. Which will help us move forward. From principle to practice.
With an Action Plan for CSR. To be launched in the coming months. With support for responsible businesses. Respecting the voluntary principle. But raising standards, and not simply complying with them.
Promoting worker involvement. Pursuing equal opportunities and diversity. And improved well-being at work generally.

We need to see how best to improve the quality and effectiveness of CSR instruments and tools? How best to help and encourage companies to evaluate and improve their performance through transparency and disclosure?
And finally, how best to promote a constructive, pragmatic, dialogue between yourselves, and other stakeholders, and the business community.

The EU's success in promoting CSR will ultimately depend on ensuring a widespread "ownership" of the CSR process - by businesses, social partners, civil society and public authorities.
That is why, the European Commission will continue to involve directly companies and all stakeholders in a comprehensive dialogue. And why we will continue to pursue our goal of a more efficient and equitable world.

Responsible business is a challenge to all of us.
Corporate Social Responsibility is not a panacea, or a magic wand, for banishing the problems of the world. But it is an important tool, which carries an important message.
That businesses, and social partners, can and will do better. For themselves. And for others too.
I welcome your willingness - as trade unionists and workers - to engage fully in the debate. And I can assure you that you have my personal support, as well as that of the European Commission generally, in making this exercise a political, economic and social success.

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