Qatar Adopt global standards in CSR programmes: expert

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Implementing standards such as ISO 26000 € Social Responsibility could help professionalise Qatar's corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, CSR Company International president Martin Neureiter has said.

Rather than requirements, Neureiter explained that ISO 26000 provides businesses and organisations guidance on how they can operate in an ethical and transparent way for the benefit of society.

"ISO 26000 is a different kind of standard. It is not about compliance such as those required by other well-known ISO standards; it is about implementing CSR in day-to-day processes so that companies and organisations can operate in a socially responsible manner," Neureiter said.

Neureiter was in Qatar on invitation from Qatar Quality Group (QQG) chairman Jassim Salem al-Ansari to hold a series of talks with at least 25 Qatari organisations from the private and public sectors, civil society, and academics.

"The dialogue revolved around the need to professionalise the social responsibility practices in Qatar and, at the same time, underscored the importance of implementing ISO 26000 standards," Neureiter explained.

QQG and CSR Company International have formed a joint venture that aims to professionalise Qatar's CSR sector and to transform the country into a regional hub for social responsibility programmes that implement ISO 26000 standards.

According to al-Ansari, major players involved in the realisation of the Qatar National Vision 2030 require "a lot of global tools and experience" to guarantee the sustainability of national initiatives.

"We were fortunate to learn about the ISO 26000 standard, which defines social responsibility not as an ultimate goal but as a vehicle to achieve the ultimate goal, which is sustainability. And ISO 26000 will play a significant role in achieving economic growth and for the creation of opportunities for the members of society.

"At the heart of ISO 26000 is organisational governance, including six other core subjects: human rights, labour practices, environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development, which are all necessary in the fulfilment of Qatar National Vision 2030," al-Ansari explained.

Al-Ansari also said plans are in the pipeline for the staging of the "GCC Social Responsibility Programme," whose first stage would be held in QQG's regional office in Riyadh.

"The second leg of the programme will be held in Doha but details of this initiative will be announced later once the plans for this event have been finalised," he said.

Al-Ansari added that QQG and CSR Company International are in the process of forging a partnership with Al Faisal Without Borders Foundation to strengthen social responsibility programmes being implemented in the country.

"We also have a partnership with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and we are studying plans to have a similar partnership with Qatar Chamber," al-Ansari noted.

"Sustainability is a journey and a goal that must be achieved by a myriad of sectors. To realise Qatar National Vision 2030, the public and private sectors, as well as civil society should co-operate together."