Training
The ICSD (SA) offers a series of training courses and workshops on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Training Overview
Background
The ICSD (SA) offers a series of training courses and workshops on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The training workshops were developed in conjunction with accredited trainers using theInternational Organization forStandardization (ISO) guide on Corporate Social Responsibility (ISO26000). Making CSR strategic, integrated and embedded into a business is not an easy task. Too often CSR is seen as somethingof an “add-on” in businesses and it is difficult to get all disciplines within an organization committed to playing their part in the social responsibility of the whole business. It is even more difficult to broaden that strategic approach to the whole of a company’s value chain, even if that is where some of the most material impacts exist.
Another important dimension to making CSR strategic involves engagement with through community engagement strategies. This has to be seen in the context of a rise of community conflict in SA recently. As communities become more aware of their rights and grassroots organizations become better connected through the social media, conflicts are coming to the surface and take on a new prominence. We will discuss how many companies are finding more constructive ways of addressing community concerns, along with a number
of tools that are being developed to help companies avoid creating new conflicts. This session addresses learning, dilemmas and practical solutions which help companies manage volatile stakeholder landscapes.
A new and emerging strategic issue on the CSR agenda involves a move towards creating more inclusive businesses. The Workshop will examine innovative strategies for economic and social development that includes poor and disadvantaged groups in the value chain of
companies. Many companies are seeking to better develop inclusive business approaches as part of their business strategy to expand market access which also link to community investment strategies and poverty alleviation. While such approaches can bring market
opportunities in new markets there are also possibilities to ‘create shared value’ through products, services and business innovations.
In collaboration with the University of the North West Potchefstroom Campus CSR Benchmarks Centre accredited short courses on CSR.
• CSR in fund raising for NGOs
• CSR in Communities – Empowerment and capacity building
• CSR in Human Resources the role of the employee
• CSR and the Brand, Social Media, Marketing and Communications
Goals
• Equip NGOs with the knowledge and understanding of how to link their approach to Corporates for funding or sponsorships directly to core strategy of the business leading to the benefit of both parties which will result in more accessible funding or sponsorships.
• Identify skills opportunities and methodologies on how to empower communities to engage them in sustainable CSR programs.
• Introduce and workshop the ISO26000CSR guide implementation process.
• Implement ISO26000 CSR guide across orgnisational governance and management.
• Raise the Awareness of NGOs attending the ISO26000 CSR NGO training/workshops and subsequent application through Corporate Social Review magazine.
• Encourage and implement complete Transparency and accountability.
• Build, develop and improve capacity, talent, and excellence within the social and NGO sector.
• Exercising fiscal responsibility.
Objectives
• Identify South African trends in social responsibility.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of social responsibility within the organization, considering how the decisions you take at work can make a difference.
• Identify seven core subjects that social responsible organizations should address.
• Review the principles of social responsibility.
• Conduct a gap analysis to evaluate the organization’s current social responsibility situation, recognizing the strategic dilemmas and opportunities for all aspects of the organization in implementing CSR strategies.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to integrate CSR into corporate strategies, decision making and management to add both financial and non-financial value to the company and society in which the organization operates.
• Identify internal and external stakeholders.
• Link social responsibility initiatives to organizational objectives.
• Evaluate social responsibility action plans against the principles of social responsibility.
• Engage with stakeholders.
• Implement social responsibility initiatives.
• Improve the support for NGOs, NPOs and Public Benefit Corporations in terms of governance, management, funding and revenue.
Training Application
Training, personal development and coaching. The organizational change towards responsible business demands, specific sustainability know-how and skills gained through experience in CSR projects is achieved through dedicated sustainability and CSR trainings.
Our training curricula is a portal to information, case related expertise, practical insights, best practices, tools and guidelines for professionals and companies engaged in driving the organisational change towards responsible businesses committed to managing their impacts on stakeholders, environment and the communities in which they operate.
Objectives
All our training responds to a set of general objectives in terms of knowledge and skills transfer.
Knowledge
• Understand CSR and sustainability concepts.
• Understand the benefits of responsible business conduct.
• Learn about best practice, tools and trends in CSR and sustainability.
• Explore the dimensions of business ethics over the value chain.
• Understand the value of stakeholder engagement and corporate communication in CSR.
• Plan, develop and implement CSR strategies, and initiatives that are aligned with corporate values and support business development.
• Learn about means to assess in a meaningful way the impact of CSR programs.
• Create CSR measuring and reporting system based on international standards.
Skills
• Perform gap analysis and assessment of current CSR practices development.
• Support the corporate change towards responsible business through management buy in, staff and management engagement.
• Map and analyse stakeholders and plan appropriate engagement measures.
• Define meaningful key performance indicators and monitor the progress and effectiveness of CSR initiatives.
• Create professional and comprehensive CSR Reports.
Methodology
We design our CSR trainings in the framework of the ISO 26000 CSR standard. The training development methodology we use is a systematic approach to the instruction process which ensures that our trainings are effective and hands-on, with a balanced distribution between theoretical concepts and mind sets and their practical application to the actual economic and social environment.The delivery method is a dynamic mix of presentations, case studies, group exercises and debates, with the aim to keep the audience focused with an alert and enthusiastic spirit.
Who should attend
We recommend our curricula to professionals who are planning to or are already involved in implementing CSR initiatives and are keen on enhancing their CSR competence. Our courses are also suitable for managers who want to pursue new career opportunities in organizations committed to sustainable business, are interested in improving their knowledge in sustainability management or are required to fulfil regulatory requirements or reporting.
Curricula
CSR Basics – A two day course introducing participants to the emerging CSR agenda. The training outlines the essential topics framing a social responsible business approach:
• The emergence of social responsible concept.
• Raising the bar: from IFC performance standards, to Equator Principles and ISO26000 CSR standard.
• The social responsible organization.
• Managing CSR opportunities and risks.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• CSR communication and reporting.
CSR Expert – A two day program developing practical CSR leadership skills and introducing tools to help organizations drive the corporate change towards the sustainable business.
Topics include:
• System based approach to CSR.
• Gap analysis and benchmarking.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Ensuring management buy in and staff awareness for CSR.
• Human resources – the vehicle for CSR internalization.
• Setting KPI’s for assessing the impact of CSR programs.
• CSR reporting and communication.
CSR Focus – A series of one or two day courses detailing specific CSR tools or practices and building expertise in particular areas of CSR.
• Social responsibility strategies and corporate governance.
• Gap analysis and benchmarking.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Non- financial risk assessment and management.
• Developing and implementing CSR programs.
• Measuring and monitoring the impact of CSR programs.
• Community investment.
• Responsible human resources practices:
• CSR and HR management.
• The internal dimension of CSR.
• CSR reporting and communication.
We also offer a series of one day courses designed to support the implementation of social responsible business models and ensure the engagement of staff in driving the CSR efforts. Such staff development courses, tailored to reflect the particularities of each businesses context, would include:
CSR challenges of company’s industry: risks and benchmarking
• CSR challenges of company’s industry: risks and benchmarking
• Company’s CSR strategy, policies and programs
• Company’s drivers for CSR
• Analysis of company’s stakeholders
• Specific work place and human resources practices for CSR
• Corporate reporting and internal communication
