MBAs ‘can build firm foundations for the future of CSR’

Professionals equipped with an MBA – and MBA students – have an important role to play as corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives continue to gain momentum across business sectors. The various ways that MBA holders and students can apply a socially responsible mindset in their employment responsibilities was a recurring message from keynote speakers and presenters at the ninth annual Chinese University (CUHK) business school MBA CSR conference.

 

Under the theme of “CSR Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’’, presenters and panellists from large corporations, small enterprises, not-for-profit and non-government organisations (NGOs) outlined to conference attendees how they implement their own CSR endeavours, and suggested ways to carry out CSR activities. Keynote speaker Seema Aziz, founder and chairperson, CARE Foundation, Pakistan’s largest non-government organisation, outlined how the foundation educates more than 180,000 students in over 350 schools. Another keynote speaker, Philippe Lacamp, Swire Pacific’s global head of sustainable development, explained the steps being taken to reduce the organisation’s overall environmental impact and improve energy efficiency. 

The 9th Annual CUHK MBA CSR Conference: CSR Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

 

The one-day conference also featured panel discussions involving CSR professionals, entrepreneurs, academics and business managers who talked about the role of CSR in compliance, risk management, information disclosure and the various ways entrepreneurs can create social value. Another key feature was the presentation and judging of the CUHK MBA and Swire Pacific CSR Case Competition, requiring teams to provide solutions to real issues that have an impact on Swire’s own CSR initiatives. The three finalist teams were evaluated on their knowledge, innovation, scalability, and most importantly, the impact of their solutions.