Our lovely people of Rivers State, this week offers a fresher perspective in yet another episode of Rivethics on Radio, our character-building weekend show. Remember that when we fill our thoughts with positive things, the negatives ones have no room to enter. Today’s episode is on Transforming Communities Through Social Resposibility.
Social Responsibility is an ethical maturity that requires the action of the individual or entity to benefit society as a whole. It can occur at individual or corporate level. It calls for a sense of balance between the economy and the ecosystem, between an individual’s needs and the larger needs of others. Therefore social responsibility is connected to everything good in society, and is a direct enabler in the drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. To achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, social responsibility is required of governments, companies, organisations and individuals.
The most visible of all social responsibility initiatives is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It is being popularised by huge organisations and has become a measuring indicator of organisational success in modern business. CSR is measured in terms of businesses improving conditions for their employees, shareholders, communities and environment. However, great organisations understand CSR in clear, simple terms as the avenue by which to impact the community from which they have recieved great value. Indeed, CSR has gained momemtum in recent years.
There’s statistics that 93% of the World’s largest 250 companies now publish annual CSR reports. Likewise, 55% of consumers are willing to pay more for products from socially responsible companies. All these increased CSR activities are wonderful developments that should be encouraged, promoted, recognised and rewarded.
At basic family and community levels, we should all learn, teach and practice social responsibility. You, as an individual, should believe that:
o You can be a blessing,
o You can be a friend,
o You can encourage someone,
o You can take time to care,
o You can use words that heal and not wound.
o You are not too small to make a difference.
o It takes guts to be gentle and kind.
If you impact a life everyday, and they in turn do the same, you would have started a ripple that can spread around the world.
Our guest speaker today is Mr. Austin Nwaeze, the founder of Project READ Advocacy, an organization that is focused on restoring the reading culture among Rivers People. He shall be sharing insights on the said topic of Transforming Communities Through Social Responsibility. Please enjoy the episode.
Our peace-loving people of Rivers people, please remember to always let your manners speak for you.
God bless and keep you and your families and God bless Rivers State.
Justice (Mrs.) Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike The Wife of the Governor of Rivers State and
Initiator of the RivEthics Social Orientation Initiative
You can also listen to and download the Pidgin English version of this Episode below