Does CSR have the potential to create sustainable development?
We believe that CSR has the potential to create sustainable development. Dedicated participation from corporations will add to efforts in the international community to create solutions to the challenges that we face on social, environmental and economic sustainability.
However, some critics claim that CSR activities are often determined by companies’ profit motives rather than meeting actual developmental challenges. Hence, the argument goes, CSR distorts genuine development efforts.
Aligning CSR activities to internationally recognised principles such as human rights will effectively meet such criticism. Human rights qualify and legitimise CSR activities from a sustainable social developmental perspective, and the rights based approach to development is currently considered best practice by leading development agencies. The UN among others has highlighted a human rights based approach as essential to advance the desired goal of poverty reduction. For further information read “Principles and Guidelines for a Human Rights Approach to Poverty Reduction Strategies” or the UNDP "Human Development Report 2000”.
Learn more about our work with CSR and international development cooperation.
Questions and Answers on CSR:
- What is CSR?
- What is an international Principles-Based Approach to CSR?
- What is the link between Human Rights and CSR?
- What is the Triple Bottom Line?
- What is CSR Compliance & Opportunities?
- Does CSR have the potential to create sustainable development?
- Is CSR also relevant for governments?
- Is CSR also relevant for SMEs?
- Is CSR only relevant in relation to corporations operating in or sourcing from emerging economies?
- Are Human Rights relevant for private corporations?
- Is there a business case for CSR?
- How can corporations perform Responsible Supply Chain Management?
- What are the implications of the Danish government’s “Action Plan for Corporate Social Responsibility” for Danish corporations?
- How can GLOBAL CSR assist in relation to CSR?