On Thursday here, Capricorn Foundation in collaboration with the Lithon Foundation hosted a workshop to bring together like-minded companies and share ideas on how businesses can be responsible corporate citizens, ‘by bringing about positive change where it matters the most’.
The event titled ‘Get involved in your community’ took the form of an informative breakfast, exploring Namibia’s NGO landscape, community needs, Namibia’s social progression focus, and how companies can fulfil their role as corporate citizens.
Many prominent companies and individuals in the market attended the event.
The Capricorn Foundation’s vision, according to Marlize Horn, Acting Head of the Capricorn Foundation, is to be an inspiring ‘Connector of Positive Change’ by creating economic value responsibly while creating sustainable opportunities for advancing and improving the economic and social conditions in the communities where they operate.
“Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a community-engagement concept that a company adopts, which guides it in being socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders and the public. The key is for companies to put their efforts and resources where it matters most,” she said.
She stated that the foundation has asked for more private sector companies to join forces, collaborate, and donate to help build a sustainable future for all Namibians.
Daisry Mathias, Presidential Advisor from the President’s Youth Matters and Enterprise Development Office, provided an overview of Namibia’s social development focus areas, the government’s efforts, and the gaps where corporate organisations can get involved to address community needs.
She went on to discuss education, infrastructure, sanitation, school feeding programmes and nutrition, urging corporations to get involved in helping with the country’s food needs because child malnutrition is too high.
“I urge every private sector representative in this room to think about taking a regional approach so that you can champion a region or a community at a time,” she said.
Speakers from various welfare organisations presented their projects and objectives, and a panel of experts from various organisations addressed the audience, discussing specific problems in the field, such as sustainability, and answering questions.
The event concluded with a discussion of how businesses can make an impact and measure it in their communities.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
