Programme

If you would like to get involved as speaker, sponsor, or exhibitor, please contact Ekaterina Kvasova, Project Director, at +44 (0)20 7375 7226 or e.kvasova@ethicalcorp.com.

DAY ONE 13 October

09:00 - 09:30 Keynote

What CSR can do for Economic and social development - and for your company´s bottom line

The European Chairman of the world's leading software producer, Microsoft, outlines how his company views the opportunities presented by corporate social responsibility in Central and Eastern Europe. This keynote presentation will set out:

  • The coming impact of the knowledge economy: How corporate responsibility can help your company prepare
  • What graduates are asking from companies like Microsoft on CSR, what it takes to hang on the best - and how to recruit talent using responsible business
  • What changes CEE companies need to make to drive social and economic development. What role should CSR play?
  • How to implement corporate responsibility strategies in the region: common challenges and how to overcome them
  • Microsoft, Jan Muehlfeit, Chairman (Europe)

09:30 - 11:00 Plenary 1

Corporate social responsibility: How to define it for your business?

Rather than continued focus on charity and sponsorship, your company needs to develop comprehensive responsible business programmes. Effective corporate responsibility strategies can lower risk, improve your bottom line and deliver other tangible benefits. But what does all this mean in practice? In this session you´ll hear about:

  • Definitions. If CSR is not philanthropy, then what is it?
  • Prioritization: Find out what to do first
  • Who got it right and who got it wrong? Save time and money by learning from the success stories and mistakes of others
  • Corporate strategy: How to integrate CSR into your business
  • What is the business case for corporate responsibility: What reputational gains and tangible bottom line benefits can you expect? And over what period?
  • DHL Express Czech Republic, Jorge E. Vacca, Director of Marketing & Business Development
  • System Capital Management (Ukraine), Jock Mendoza-Wilson, Director of International and Investor Relations
  • Plzenský Prazdroj (SABMiller, Czeck Republic), Zuzana Novická, Sustainable Development
  • Shell Bulgaria, Kamelia Slaveykova, Communications Manager CEE Cluster
  • Moderator: Toby Webb, Director, The Ethical Corporation Institute (Coordinator of a recent study on CSR in CEE companies)

11:00 - 11:30 Interactive coffee break

11:30 - 13:00 Plenary 2

How to build partnerships that work for your business

Many partnerships with NGOs and local governments are philanthropic and lack a strategic business focus. To be sustainable, partnerships must be “win-win” for business and society. This panel explores how companies and stakeholders can collaborate to make that happen. Hear about:

  • How to define and choose stakeholders and partners relevant to your business
  • Best practices in developing governmental and NGO partnerships
  • Practical case studies of partnership programmes that have worked
  • Mistakes to avoid: Hear how to overcome challenges and build strategic alliances that really deliver for your company
  • WWF - Russia, Igor Chestin, Director
  • Czech Coal, Stanislav Kuzel, Consultant, Research, Sustainable Development
  • Neziskovky.cz (Czech Republic), Marek Sedivy, Executive Director
  • Global Alliance for Responsibility, Democracy and Equity (GARDE), Pavel Franc, Director
  • Moderator: Toby Webb, Director, The Ethical Corporation Institute (Coordinator of a recent study on CSR in CEE companies)

13:00 - 14:30 Interactive lunch

14:30 - 15:30 SESSION ONE - INTERACTIVE BREAKOUT GROUPS
CHOOSE FROM ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TWO TRACKS

Track one

Case studies
What Nestle and Microsoft learned in the region- Communicating your corporate responsibility initiatives to stakeholders

As consumers become more sensitive to the ethical profile of companies and the number of investors following CSR-sensitive companies grows, responsible business will become even more important in the competition for customers, human resources and capital. In this session one of the world's leading food companies discusses how to communicate CR initiatives to customers, employees and other stakeholders. Included in the discussion will be:

  • Why effective CSR is a win-win strategy - and what win win means for Nestle and its partners
  • How to raise awareness and educate your stakeholders about responsible business
  • The basic rules of communicating your social activities to consumers
  • Find out about the benefits of doing it correctly

 

  • Nestlé Czech Republic, Martin Walter,
    Corporate Affairs Manager
  • Microsoft, Melissa Pailthorp, Senior Manager, Community Affairs, Central & East Europe

Track two

Tackling corruption and bribery: How to do it right

Aside from damage to your company´s reputation and the legal ramifications, corruption drains both money and capacity. In this session experts in the field will debate:

  • The main challenges you´ll face developing an effective anti-corruption programme
  • What the latest international guidelines and tools are to help you
  • How to develop effective anti-corruption strategies practical tips for your company
  • Case studies: Hear what you can learn from those who have already got it right - and wrong!
  • Transparency International - Czech Republic, David Ondracka, Director

15:30 - 16:00 Interactive coffee break

16:00- 17:00 SESSION TWO - INTERACTIVE BREAKOUT GROUPS
CHOOSE FROM ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TWO TRACKS

Track one

Case studies
The lifecycle of corporate responsibility: what do you need to know?

Whatever your stage of CSR development, this session is for you. BP, the world's third-largest oil company, discusses:

  • Where your role begins and ends
  • What are the rules of effective supply chain management
  • How to embed important global standards and initiatives and how to track and measure progress
  • From corporate responsibility research and strategic planning through to integration and implementation - how to do it right
  • Aligning corporate responsibility into products and services - what are the benefits?

 

  • BP Poland, Dorota Adamska, Communication & External Affairs Manager
  • Business Leaders Forum (Czech Republic), Miroslav Dinga, Vice Chairman

Track two

Case studies
Environmental management and climate change: risks and opportunities

What does environmental responsibility include and how do you integrate it into your operations? Hear in details how DHL manages its environmental responsibility and climate change strategies. In this session you´ll find out about:

  • The implications of the prospective post-Kyoto framework for your business, and what EU regulations are on the horizon?
  • How to take your employees on the environmental journey and engage other stakeholders
  • Business opportunities associated with environmental management and climate change mitigation
  • How DHL has used environmental concerns for real business advantage - the details!
  • DHL Express Czech Republic, Jorge E. Vacca, Director Marketing & Business Development Division
  • The Climate Group, Emily Farnworth, Director of Corporate Leadership

17:00 - onwards Networking drinks reception

DAY TWO 14 October

09:00 - 10:30 Plenary 1

Corporate reputation and brand management: The role of corporate responsibility

According to a recent study, 63% of the market value of some large companies is attributed to reputation. Join this discussion to find out how to ensure that your CSR initiatives enhance your reputation, strengthen your brand and differentiate your company.

  • What do we mean by reputation and brand management?
  • Find out why its of increasing importance in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Hear case studies from companies that managed to safeguard their brand and reputation through CSR implementation
  • Learn about how to work with the media: How to get the right attention
  • Vodafone Czech Republic, Monika Cizkova, Brand and Communication Director
  • Danone Poland, Przemek Pohrybieniuk, Director of External Relations
  • RWE Stoen, Iwona Jarzebska, Head of Communication and Marketing
  • Moderator: Toby Webb, Director, The Ethical Corporation Institute (Coordinator of a recent study on CSR in CEE companies)

10:30 - 11:00 Interactive coffee break

11:00 - 12:45 Plenary 2

Developing your social and environmental reporting

Without question, reporting and verification constitute a crucial part of any successful CSR strategy. And, in many countries it is increasingly expected, if not already mandated. Reporting can also be a tool for running a better business. Attend and learn about:

  • The benefits of producing a CSR or Sustainability report for your company
  • How to establish reporting processes and how to apply the standards
  • Learn how to take the first steps - first-year publication, the do´s and don´ts
  • The benefits of establishing credibility. Who should verify your reporting? What methods of verification are available?
  • Czech Coal Group, Radek Stavel, Director Human Resources & Corporate Communications Division
  • Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Nelmara Arbex, Senior Director of the GRI Secretariat
  • Carbon Disclosure Project, Paul Simpson, Chief Operating Officer
  • System Capital Management (Ukraine), Jock Mendoza-Wilson, Director of International and Investor Relations

12:45 - 14:15 Interactive lunch

14:15 - 15:15 SESSION ONE- INTERACTIVE BREAKOUT GROUPS
CHOOSE FROM ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TWO TRACKS

Track one

How to respond to key social challenges in your company: best practices and strategies

Fail to ensure safe working conditions and you risk finding your company in the center of a big scandal.

  • Understand what social problems outside and inside your company need your immediate attention - why - and what solutions are at hand
  • Training and capacity building: explore what your company can do
  • Find out how you can ensure a tolerant, safe workplace with equal opportunities for your employees
  • Learn how to develop pragmatic growth strategies that create social value and enhance your own company´s reputation
  • KOVET Hungary, Csaba Bodroghelyi, Executive Director
  • RWE Stoen, Iwona Jarzebska, Head of Communication and Marketing

Track two

Case studies
How to manage effective community relations

Bringing positive change to the countries and communities where you do business is a major challenge. At this session Polish national telecommunications provider Telekomunikacja Polska and Denso, producer of auto components for most of the world's major automakers, discuss:

  • What to do when some stakeholders want more than a company can or should offer
  • Key management tips for genuine relationship building with local stakeholders
  • How to define the main community issues and stakeholder groups around your local plants and operations- going beyond local government partnerships
  • Ways to develop a community engagement initiative that works for both the community and your business
  • Telekomunikacja Polska, Bartlomiej Roch-Remisko, Director of Corporate Responsibility
  • Responsible Business Forum (FOB) Poland, Iwona Kuraszko, Development and Research Manager
  • Business Leaders Forum Slovakia, Beata Hlavcakova, Director

15:15 - 15:45 Interactive coffee break

15:45 - 17:00 SESSION TWO- INTERACTIVE BREAKOUT GROUPS
CHOOSE FROM ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TWO TRACKS

Track one

Case study
Corporate responsibility in your company -make it happen internally

Because corporate responsibility starts inside the company, communicating CSR to internal stakeholders is vital. In this session Siemens, the world´s largest electronics and industrial engineering firm, shares its experience regarding internal CSR strategies.

  • Why you should employ a CSR professional
  • How to get your board´s support and commitment for CSR
  • The best ways to educate your employees on CSR
  • How to institute employee training, a core CSR issue
  • Siemens Czech Republic, Karolína Krízenecká, Communication Manager

Track two

Multi-stakeholder dialogue: working with competitors and central governments

Establishing multi-stakeholder dialogues and reaching out to government is never easy - but there can be substantial rewards for getting it right. At this session hear how to establish relationships that benefit your company and the society

  • How to tackle the challenges businesses face in engaging regional and local governments
  • The best ways to establish dialogue about CSR with central governments
  • Hear about multi-stakeholder initiatives that succeeded
  • ECDL Foundation, Piotr Mrozinski, Regional Development Executive
  • UNDP Lithuania, Lyra Jakulevciene, Regional Project Manager
  • Microsoft, Melissa Pailthorp, Senior Manager, Community Affairs, Central & East Europe

Other topics to be covered include

How to develop and embed an effective code of conduct

Climate Change - What to expect from future legislation across Europe
And many more

Keep checking the conference website for the latest updates!

Conference Ends

DAY THREE 15 October

ETHICAL CORPORATION INSTITUTE SEMINAR
Prague, October 2008

Seminar aims:

The seminar will provide attendees with:

  • Clear insights into modern leading-edge CR practice around the world;
  • Understanding of changing perceptions of the commercial and operational relevance of CR;
  • Structured processes to analyse the implications of global CR developments for the situation in CEE and in the Czech Republic;
  • Opportunities for discussing their CR strategies

Teaching and learning processes

The seminar alternates plenary sessions and break-out working groups.

In the former, the ECI directors will present findings of latest research and their own experience at working with leading companies to manage CR. These sessions are designed to be interactive, with participants raising points of interest to them as they want.

In break-out groups the focus is on participants sharing with each other and thereby deciding how best the international dimension provided by ECI's directors may best be applied to the particular circumstances they face in their region and their company.

The intention is that, by the end of the day, each participant will have developed a framework for targeting and managing CR within his/ her own organisation.

Outputs from the day will be collected, then written up and circulated to all participants after the event.

Schedule:

10:00 - 10:30 Plenary: A global tour of CR: who does what, where?

  • Led by: Toby Webb

CR is not a fixed entity, the same the world over. It has developed differently in different jurisdictions, and in response to different drivers. This session will survey the key recent developments and approaches in UK, Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and CEE.

This session will also review some of the more significant global initiatives and developments, for example the UN Global Compact, and the work of the UN's Special Representative on Business and Human Rights, that influence CR all over the world.

10:30 - 11:15 Plenary: Changing accountability, changing CR

  • Led by: Peter Davis

CR arguably began life as a 'nice-to-do' extra that companies rarely saw as in any way related to their commercial activities. The realisation that providing benefits to wider society and the environment led many companies increasingly to see CR something to help develop of corporate reputation. Increasingly now, for companies at the cutting edge, CR is a core business tool that is to be deployed to address core commercial and operation considerations. What are these issues, and how are companies deploying CR as a response to them?

Moving CR to centre-stage in how a company responds to business challenges requires changes in the way that key staff operate; the approach they take to their jobs; and the way they are selected and trained. This session looks at the challenge that this poses.

11:30 - 11:45 Refreshments break

11:45 - 13:00 Group work - assessing the implications for CEE, CZ and our organisations

Participants will be broken into small groups of 5-6. The aim will be to discuss amongst themselves what they have heard in the opening sessions, and to address the following questions:

  • What are the key CR issues for the CEE region and for the Czech Republic?
  • What are the key operational and commercial challenges that your organisation faces?
  • How might CR be relevant in addressing these?

Discussion will last 40-50 minutes. Each participant needs to keep his/ her own notes on challenges for their company for use later.

For the remainder of the session a nominated rapporteur for each group will briefly feedback on the content of their discussions. Key points will be collated by the facilitators. Points of interest will be discussed in the plenary.

13:00 - 13:45 Lunch

13:45 - 14:30 Plenary: Embedding CR: how do companies do these things?

If CR is to be used as a core business tool, then it needs to be embedded into everything that a company does and into its mainstream operating processes and systems. This session will look at how leading companies are doing this; what challenges they are facing; and what changes leaders need to make in their organisations and in themselves.

14:30 - 15:00 Group work: How does my organisation move embed CR?

Participants will return to their breakout groups. The aim will be to discuss amongst themselves what they have heard in the previous session, and to address the following questions:

  • How well embedded is CR in their organisation at the moment?
  • What are the main challenges to making it work better?
  • What challenges relate to the general environment in the Czech Republic, and which relate to the specific issues in each company?

15:00 - 15:15 Coffee on the go

15:15 - 16:00 Developing and sharing action plans

Working in their breakout groups, delegates will draw together the outputs of the two previous breakout sessions to develop the framework of an action plan for developing CR in their own organisation. A rapporteur will be selected to collect the key learnings. These will then be shared with the plenary.

16:00 - 16:30 Informal networking

ECI directors available to discuss individual company challenges or ideas with participants