As another year draws to a close it is clear it has been one of countless corporate social responsibility conferences, forums and workshops. The phenomenon is characterised by ever bigger events, more pontification, few original thoughts, less informed debate, more participation by public relations professionals, great earnestness, few actions and an expanding list of “issues”.

What does not seem to be happening is an honest assessment of what has been achieved and what impact the work of corporate responsibility teams is having on the ground. From repeated and wholly general statements about the “triple bottom line”, supply chains, socially responsible investments, diversity and climate change, the mantra seems to be that everything is in and nothing is out. This is an industry that has lost the plot, where intellectual honesty is not a strong feature and taking action is not on the agenda.

Muddled and confused

Upcoming Ethical Corporation conferences & events:
How to manage Social & Environmental Risk in the mining, oil & gas, steel and other heavy industries
London, 22-23 March 2010 The Responsible Business Summit 2010
Novotel West Hotel, London, 4th – 5th May 2010 The Inaugural Ethical Corporation Awards
Novotel West Hotel, London, Evening of 4th May 2010
The Awards will be held at the Responsible Summit -
on the evening of the first day
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