CSR mapping in Trinidad and Tobago - implications for national development
“the chamber’s participation in the compact is in keeping with our ongoing commitment in promoting the practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in T&T. We consider CSR as the most effective way that the private sector can assist in tackling the country’s social and development challenges.”
With support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA), the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce (STCIC) is implementing a CSR mapping project, which can significantly improve the understanding and implementation of CSR in Trinidad and Tobago. According to the STCIC’s website:
“In January 2006, the chamber engaged the UNDP in discussions on the role of CSR in national development.Coming out of these discussions was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between both organisations on May 3, aimed at developing and implementing strategies which promote the practice of CSR with a human and economic development focus among the membership of the chamber and companies operating in T&T that are signatories to the Global Compact.
Originating from the MOU are the ongoing arrangements for a CSR mapping project between the chamber, UNDP and the T&T Manufacturers Association that will produce a comprehensive insight of the state of CSR development in T&T.
This mapping project will be the first of its kind in the Caribbean and would subsequently be used as a model for the region. It is intended that the mapping project will act as a pilot for similar surveys to be conducted in four other Caribbean countries as part of a regional CSR initiative being promoted by the OAS and the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce.
The chamber and UNDP have also initiated a series of business luncheons that will bring together key practitioners in the growing field of corporate social responsibility and private sector leaders who are concerned with the private sector’s role in tackling T&T’s most pressing social challenges. The first of these luncheons was held earlier this year in Port-of-Spain with senior executives from the energy and banking sectors as well as from the T&T Chamber and the TTMA.”
CSR in Trinidad and Tobago
In the following excerpt from a STCIC article published in today’s Business Guardian, the STCIC outlines some key aspects of the role of CSR in national development.
“T&T is experiencing a phase of continued economic growth driven primarily by expansion in the energy sector. Despite this economic growth, and the existence of a draft long-term development plan (Vision 2020), T&T is simultaneously experiencing increasing social problems. These are manifested in increasing crime, environmental degradation, the spread of HIV/Aids and persistent pockets of poverty in the midst plenty.The local private sector – through the practice of corporate responsibility – can play a significant role in countering T&T’s social development challenges. Although there are companies practicing CSR, and thus indicates a positive future for social responsibility in T&T, the scope and characteristics of the practice of CSR in T&T are poorly understood. This is why the CSR mapping project being implemented by the STCIC, with support from the UNDP and the Manufacturers Association is so important.
Upon completion, this map will act as a cornerstone to the development of CSR in T&T by providing direction to the private sector to refine their activity and to harness and align the sector’s contribution to social development towards Vision 2020.
CSR can be a powerful force for social development in Trinidad & Tobago, especially given that T&T’s current economic growth is being driven by private sector growth. Effort should be made to ensure that the development of CSR in T&T is managed so that entrenched debates can be avoided and the developing practice of CSR can remain action and engagement oriented. Dialogue and partnerships should be at the forefront of the development of the practice of CSR.
The CSR mapping project represents a first step in directing the development of CSR.”
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Comments
Just to inform that there has been research and surveys of CSR practice in the Caribbean dating back to the 1990s. I did my PhD in the field and did a survey of annual report disclosures on social and environmental issues by companies among the Top 100 per Caribbean Week at the time, as well as a comprehensive, contextualised case study. Another survey is currently underway, with preliminary results available on CSR perceptions and practices by Caribbean corporations. The STCIC was contacted for help in getting the energy sector and other South Trinidad businesses to participate in this recent survey but nothing was forthcoming from them. I do hope that their project with the UNDP would include the information from the past to help guide understanding of how CSR has emerged from this region and to guide the much needed local/regional dialogue that is critical to the proper development of a relevant practice for this region- as has occurred in other regions (Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand) Emily Dick-Forde
Rhea, all the best with your current research.
Emily, where can we access this past research you speak of?
There are several critical points raised in the discussion of CSR in Trinidad and Tobago. One of the key features of effective CSR depends on the cooperation of all stakeholders, another is the ability to establish systems of accountability.
Effective CSR depends on the coordination and cooperation of all stakeholders to develop an agreed upon system of CSR as well as a system that holds the corporations accountable. I remain hopeful that the stakeholders - T&T government, corporations, and citizens are able to contribute to a common CSR agenda and a monitoring system. However, I am uncertain as to how much cooperation exists among stakeholders? Who are the parties involved in CSR discussions? Are there public forums that allow for the participation of the citizens? Is the proposed CSR agenda consistent with national goals? Are there systems of rewards and sanctions for corporations that comply and those that detract from outlined principles?
Theoretically, CSR can contribute to development, but the challenge of implementing an agenda depends on the ability of stakeholders to cooperate and to identify common goals. Trinidad and Tobago can certainly benefit from increased CSR!
Aforementioned, was the suggestion that effective CSR requires systems of accountability. Signatories of the U.N. Global Compact remain ‘active’ based on corporations’ submission of timely status reports. Hopefully other national and multinational corporations in Trinidad and Tobago will not only to be signatories to the Global Compact, but also to continue to demonstrate commitment by fostering greater transparency and submitting timely status reports.
Congratulations to the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce, for becoming a U.N. Global Compact signatory - this is one step forward towards greater CSR.