Chambers Ireland has today (25/02/08) announced that nominations for the fifth annual President’s Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are now open and that a new Marketplace category is being introduced to the awards for the first time this year. The awards were launched in the House of Lord’s this morning by Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, Chair, Immigrant Council of Ireland and John Lonergan, Governor, Mountjoy Prison.
The initiative is partnered by Business in the Community Ireland, run in association with the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and kindly sponsored by resource.
According to Chambers Ireland President David Pierce, “These awards help to recognise the great work being carried out by companies in Ireland in improving the lives of their employees, and enhancing the civic environment in which they operate. This unique competition offers the business community a chance to promote their efforts in CSR, gain recognition for best practice and contribute to the embedment of CSR in Ireland’s business culture,” he said.
Minister for State at the Department Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Pat Carey T.D. noted “As Minister with responsibility for volunteering I am encouraged to see the continued growth in participation from the business community in these awards with each passing year. This increased participation demonstrates that the business community has a social conscience and is not solely motivated by the making of profits.”
“While the eventual winners in the various categories will emerge at the Gala Awards Ceremony in September, I hope that all of the participants will gain from their involvement in the awards and that this will encourage others to follow their example in future years,” he concluded.
Speaking at the launch, Kieran McGowan Chair of Business in the Community Ireland said, “We especially welcome the introduction of the marketplace category in this year’s awards and look forward to hearing from Ireland’s leading companies on how customer care and supplier relations are being put at the forefront of their business planning and strategy”.
Terence Brannigan, Chief Executive of resource, said, "resource is delighted to sponsor the 2008 President's Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility for a second year. This event plays a crucial role in encouraging companies to adopt CSR policies that make a real and lasting impact on not only their own businesses and employees, but also their local communities. resource is committed to operating as a responsible business and these Awards provide an excellent showcase for the growing number of companies that are also making CSR a priority."
A total of seventeen awards will be made this year at the gala awards ceremony on September 18th, with separate category of awards for SMEs, large indigenous and multinational corporations in Environmental, Community, Workplace, Marketplace Supplier and Marketplace Customer projects. An award for the most innovative project and an outstanding achievement award will also be presented at the ceremony. Each year winners have been presented with a specially commissioned trophy designed by Waterford Crystal.
For further information about the awards visit www.chambers.ie, contact Chambers Ireland or your local affiliated chamber. The closing date for nominations is Friday 2nd May 2008.
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