CSR Corner
Be a CSR-friendly company
F
orward-thinking companies understand that they must earn the respect and confidence of their customers and stakeholders to succeed. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is certainly what they embrace and internalize in their business operation. So, what is CSR all about? While there is no doubt that Hong Kong companies are good at philanthropic contributions, the concept of CSR stretches beyond donation and charity work. It is not only about a company giving the money away, but also about how a company making profits in a way that, first and foremost, does no harm to people and environment. Despite the absence of a universally accepted definition of CSR, Oxfam Hong Kong believes that a company should look beyond the profit and shareholder notion, and demonstrate itself to be socially and environmentally accountable to all stakeholders affected by its activities.
For the past few years, Oxfam Hong Kong has strived to support industry efforts in promoting CSR practices. In 2006, we collated research findings into the Transparency Report: How Hong Kong garment companies can improve public reporting of their labour standards, which seeks to raise companies’ awareness on CSR as well as labour protection issues. More recently, we completed a study on the CSR practices of Hong Kong garment investors in Cambodia. In December 2008, we sponsored a survey on CSR practices of the Hang Seng Index constituent companies. As these are the companies with heavy presence in Hong Kong and surrounds, their performance is anticipated to create a rippling
Nowadays, people increasingly come to realize that corporations are expected to address the unsettling issues of pollution, resource exploitation, disaster, poverty, as well as other sustainability matters. This is a golden opportunity for companies to capitalize their abilities to act responsibly and to adopt a sustainable outlook, which appeals to their customers and members of the general public as well. In this connection, CSR is no longer an afterthought or a public relations gimmick, but in fact a business strategy that maintains creditability of companies, benefits themselves and the society at large.
Corporate Acknowledgement
Cover Story
Gas for Fun
Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association - Mr Billy Lau, Vice Chairman TNT Express Worldwide (HK) Ltd - Ms Louisa Lee, Director of Human Resources Accenture Hong Kong - Ms Anita Yu, Marketing Manager (Ho Wai Chi, Hong Kong Director of Oxfam Hong Kong) (Ms Vivian Chow, Oxfam Ambassador of China Development Fund 2008) Cathay Pacific Catering Services (HK) Ltd - Ms Ruby Lau, Senior Training and Staff Communication Officer Panalpina China Ltd – Mr Eddy lu, General Manager, Senior Vice President, Hong Kong Business Unit Ethiopian Coffee Holding Ltd – Mr Kevin Ng, Managing Director (Kanie Siu, Deputy Hong Kong Director of Oxfam Hong Kong) (not in photo) Sino Group – Ms Dionne Kung, General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communication Department
Oxfam Corporate Donor Programme (CDP)2008-2009 CDP
Oxfam Hong Kong
We always work with companies/organizations which demonstrate its commitment to human rights, environmental protection and poverty reduction to foster improvement in livelihood of poor people.
(As of August to December 2008)
JOIN US TO STOP POVERTY! We treasure working with you.
Enquiry for programme details and acknowledgement:
3120 5189
Address: 17/F, China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong.
Tel: 3120-5189
Fax: 2527-6213
Website: www.oxfam.org.hk
Email: pamelal@oxfam.org.hk
Editorial Committee: Kanie Siu, Lum Kwok Choi, Gary Ku, Pamela Lee Issue 1, Spring 2009
Words from Oxfam
CSR in Hard Times
I
n the year 2000, the leaders of 189 countries set up some targets to reduce poverty, disease and suffering before 2015. These are known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and they address such basic civilized intentions as halving the number of poor people, reducing the death of babies and mothers at birth, getting more girls into school and reducing the impact of some major killer diseases.
http://www.maketradefair.org.hk/download/Transparen cyReport-eng.pdf
Companies who received Oxfam Outstanding Corporate Donor Award 2007 include (from right to left):
Cathay Pacific Catering Services (HK) Limited Columbia Sportswear Company Homeless Ltd Lovells MTR Corporation Limited The Nielsen Company Hong Kong
- An interview with Towngas
“Transparency Report: How Hong Kong garment companies can improve public reporting of their labour standards” is available for download at:
Snapshots on Oxfam Corporate Donor Programme 2007
is a year-round integrated channel for socially-responsible companies to support poverty eradication and to enhance team building among their colleagues through efforts such as supporting relief & development projects and volunteering.
Issue 1, Spring 2009
effect on the rest of economy. Details can be found at http://www.oxfam.org.hk/fs/view/downloadables/pdf /report/CSRsurvey_of_HSI_companies2008_en.pdf
Prize presentation on 25 July 2008
Heartfelt thanks to our corporate partners that join our Programme 2008-2009:
EXPRESS
Not surprisingly, some companies might find CSR as an “inconvenient notion” to swallow. Companies argue that some of CSR initiatives could conflict with the very nature of business, i.e. its economic and profit-making orientation. It is true that corporate should change the mode of operation for implementing corporate social responsibility, such as to implement stringent procedures for dealing with sewage, to pay extra costs for using safe and sustainable raw materials, to reduce carbon emission, to pay minimum wage and provide adequate measures for occupational health and safety and so on. But from another perspective, corporate could in return gain good reputation and increase customer confidence. More examples have shown that responsible business conducts could help companies win new export orders, improve employee morale and attract socially responsible investors.
Ms Wong Sau Ying
Head of Corporate Communications The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
N
o make-up, no suit, no formal setting. A sense of warmth and care was in the air during the interview with Wong Sau Ying, the Head of Corporate Communications of Towngas. A sense of ease, just like when we turn on the stove, and automatically, there is gas. Towngas strives to extend this responsibility and reliability to every corner of Hong Kong, and the world, through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaign. “Initiatives start from front-line staff and go up to management level,” Wong said. “Our Towngas technicians realize the social needs of our clients during our service provision.” Bottom-up Initiatives
Towngas was awarded 2007/2008 “Total Caring Award” by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and the company has been actively engaged in community service since the 1990s, Wong indicated. Initiatives have been multi-faceted, including concession schemes for needy people, check-up services for PE Link, distribution of mooncakes, rice dumplings and soup for elderly people, voluntary haircutting services, and forming several volunteer teams for various efforts.
All partnerships are built on trust, including partnerships with NGOs. Its ties with Oxfam Hong Kong can be traced back to 2005, when the company became a sponsor for the annual Oxfam Rice Sale. The year 2008 marked the fourth consecutive year that Towngas has been an event Co-sponsor. When asked why Oxfam was selected as a long-term partner, Wong said that to her, both Towngas and Oxfam have similar mindsets. “What we want to do is not a one-off co-operation. We strive to work with the community for sustainable development and continuous improvement. This philosophy matches well with Oxfam which aims at working with people against poverty.” The concept of CSR has started to take root among businesses in Hong Kong. Wong said that multi-national enterprises in Hong Kong are much more inclined to participate in CSR than local
Role of Private Sector
enterprises and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), adding that “big enterprises can be mentors for SMEs to adopt CSR.” She suggested that rather than smaller enterprises doing CSR projects on their own, they could consider entering into partnerships with non-government organisations (NGOs). In this way, resources and expertise can be shared and optimised. But Wong stressed, “All partnerships are built on trust, including partnerships with NGOs; trust is crucial to a stable and beneficial relationship.”
Last year, we were half-way towards the deadline world leaders set to demonstrate that we could work together to achieve a better world. It is clear that governments, even when they work with aid agencies such as Oxfam, are not going to be able to meet these vitals without help from the business sector. Recent crises in food prices, climate change, energy costs and the economic downturn indicate how important the role of the private sector has in solving problems that hit poor people first and hit poor people hardest.
Checklist for Selection
Wong said that in 2006, Towngas compiled a checklist for the selection of their suppliers in an effort not to give contracts to inappropriate companies, such as ones with bad labour records including ‘sweatshops’ - or companies that have caused environmental damage. She said that Towngas regularly assigns staff to check the practices of its suppliers and partners, and that assistance can be provided to existing suppliers which may need improvement. This extension of support to suppliers and their partners is an expression of the commitment needed for CSR. Good partnerships must be formed – social connections with care, warmth, responsibility, and even fun. After all, it’s people working with people, and if this interview is any indication of how Towngas works with its suppliers – a discussion full of conscience and commitment, but also laughter and sincerity – then it seems that Towngas is on its way to spreading fairness and fun to every corner of the business world as well as the developing world. Towngas with Oxfam Year 2004
Emergency: Tsunami Donation support to Oxfam Hong Kong
Year 2005-2008 Oxfam Rice selling Campaign Co-sponsor for 4 years Year 2008
Emergency: Sichuan earthquake Oxfam Hong Kong is the beneficiary of Towngas’s event with Kee Wah Bakery on 1 June 2008
Economic downturn hit poor people hardest
The economy is going through a rough ride. But as a result of events in the financial sector, people are challenging the private sector to demonstrate that it is conducting business in a way that benefits society in real ways. In hard economic times, companies should realize there is even greater value in demonstrating their corporate social responsibility.
How can business help?
Philanthropy and social investment in community programmes is one aspect of CSR. Oxfam’s advice to companies participating social-development projects is this: don’t just park the initiative in ‘Community Affairs’ or ‘Public Relations’ and write off the investment as philanthropy. If you are investing in it, then add value by assessing the return on that investment, in this case measured in terms of social and environmental capital. It will help you, and your charitable partners, if you bring your management and technical skills into social projects and apply your usual rigour in measuring that value. In addition to philanthropy, companies must consider how their core business contributes not just to growth for the few at the expense of some others, but to reducing inequality in order to bring broad benefits to society. In a world facing the challenges of inequality, climate change, and economic recession, cooperation and common purpose between business, government and NGOs is not a luxury, it is an essential strategy.
John Sayer
Director General, Oxfam Hong Kong
Issue 1, Spring 2009
樂施會企業捐款表格 Oxfam Corporate Donation Form
查詢電話 Enquiries: 3120 5000 傳真號碼 Fax: 2590 6880
本公司願意成為樂施會企業定期捐款者，每月定額捐款 捐款公司資料 Corporate Donor Information Our company wants to become an Oxfam Corporate Partner and donate monthly: （請盡量以英文正楷填寫 IN BLOCK LETTERS）
(請以信用卡或自動轉賬捐款 Please use credit card or autopay)
□ HK$500
□ HK$800
□ HK$1,000
□ 其他 Your choice HK$
請將此表格連同支票、銀行入數紙正本寄往香港北角馬寶道 28號華滙中心17樓樂施會收，請註明「公司捐款」。信用卡 捐款可傳真至 2590-6880。捐款可憑收據申請稅項寬減。
或 OR 本公司願意一次過捐款 Making a one-off donation: □ HK$3,000 □ HK$5,000
□ HK$10,000
收據抬頭 Receipt name（公司名稱 Company name）
□ 其他 Your choice HK$ 2008CC019
聯絡人 Contact person
信用卡 By credit card □ AMEX* □ DINER □ VISA
（先生 / 女士 / 小姐 / 太太 Mr / Ms / Mrs / Miss）
□ MASTER
(*豁免手續費 Servcie charge waived)
信用卡有效期至 Card expiry date: 月M /
信用卡號碼 Card No.:
年Y
持卡人簽名 Cardholder’s signature:
bank-in slip to Oxfam Hong Kong, 17/F, China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong. (Attention: Appeals Team). Credit donations can be faxed to 2590-6880.
自動轉賬 By autopay（自動轉賬授權書隨後寄上 Please send me an autopay authorization form）
持卡人姓名 Cardholder’s name
本公司有興趣了解「樂施扶貧企業計劃」, 請與左列聯絡人聯繫。
職位 Position
【或貴公司可直接與樂施會聯絡（電話: 31205189李小姐）】
Our company is interested in “Oxfam Corporate Donor Programme”, please contact our contact person.
部門 Department
[Or please contact Oxfam for details (Ms Lee: 3120-5189)]
閣下從以下哪一個途徑獲得本快訊資料 Ways to get this newsletters:
劃線支票 By crossed cheque（抬頭請寫「樂施會」payable to OXFAM HONG KONG） 支票號碼 Cheque no.:
聯絡電話 Tel no.
傳真號碼 Fax no.
□ 樂施會郵件 / 電郵 By Mail / Email from Oxfam Hong Kong □ 朋友介紹 / 傳閱 Referral or Circulations from friends
電郵 Email
□ 其他，請註明 Others, please state:
發票銀行 Issuing bank:
所收集的貴公司資料將保密處理，作為寄發收據及與貴公司通訊的用途。若貴公司不 願意收到樂施會任何資料，請在□上加上¸號。Your company data collected will be treated as strictly confidential and will be used only for receipting and other communications with your company. If your company would not like to receive any correspondence from Oxfam, please tick this □.
通訊地址 Mailing Address
直接存入戶口 By direct transfer - 滙豐銀行 HSBC 001-537000-001
（請連同存款收據正本寄回 Please send this form together with the original bank receipt）
veryone dreams, aspiring for advancement and improvement in life. But can development really help achieve everyone’s dream?
Another Side of the Fairy Tale, one of the programme of IEC, features a cast of characters who apparently have no relationship with each other but are in fact interconnected through all kinds of economic activities. Through participating in this workshop, conducted by professional Theatre-in-Education artist-teachers, the audience can explore the situation and challenges faced by poor people in developing countries and reflect on their own social responsibility right here in Hong Kong.
Established in 2005, the Oxfam Hong Kong Interactive Education Centre (IEC) provides an experience-based environment to learn about poverty and sustainable development issues. Through dialogue and interaction, participants develop an empathetic understanding about the situation of poorer people around the world, including in Hong Kong. IEC provides 13 interactive workshops on various themes, such as Rich and Poor, International Trade and Poverty, Environment and Disaster, Resources Distribution and Hunger, and War and Conflict. Each workshop is two to three hours long and can accommodate 15 to 45 participants.
A:
A:
It was the “Oxfam Rice Selling 2008”, a fundraising activity for Sichuan Earthquake victims held at Olympian City on 17 May 2008. In addition to sponsoring the venue for the event, nearly 70 Sino volunteers and their family members spent the whole afternoon selling bags of rice to shoppers with the hope of raising as much funds as possible. It was also encouraging to see more than 200 colleagues from various departments generously donating to Oxfam for this meaningful cause. We collected over HK$110,000 in just half a day.
Q: What motivate your company to develop
in Hong Kong? What is your company’s strategy to encourage staff members to take part in volunteering in the coming five years?
A:
To offer this or other meaningful workshops to your staff and their family, please contact Ms Lee at 3120-5189 for enquiries, enrolment and arrangement.
Another Side of Fairy Tale – Educational Theatre on the Rich and Poor Duration
Venue Fee
Date and Time Language
3 hours
Oxfam Hong Kong - 9/F, China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong
To encourage staff participation in voluntary services, Sino Group’s senior executives and managers personally take the lead in supporting the activities. Staff receive recognition through the following means: 1. Staff and their family members who have registered as Sino Volunteers are each presented a certificate by the company.
Staff of Sino Group joined Oxfam Rice Selling 2008
2. Sino Volunteer’s participation details and hours served are recorded and sent to the Volunteer Movement launched by the Social Welfare Department’s Central Office for Volunteer Service and Agency for Volunteer Service, the Community Chest of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, for official recognition towards the end of the year. 3. Appreciation certificates are presented to enthusiastic and outstanding Sino Volunteer members at the Group’s Spring Dinner. 4. Winners will also be rewarded with free professional volunteer training courses to enhance their knowledge in their areas of interest.
$15/person
About Oxfam
to be arranged together
Cantonese can supplement with English synopsis if needed
volunteering to staff members? Any positive feedback from them?
Volunteering for community work and charitable events is a good deed and a valuable contribution to society. It also offers excellent opportunities for our staff members to develop their management, communication and leadership skills. Thus, the Sino Group Community Care Committee was formed in 2003 by departmental representatives from headquarters and affiliates. Every year we join hands with charity, non-profit, green and art groups to plan and organize various voluntary works. It is encouraging to see that staff members reflect more and have become more passionate about their work. They share their volunteer experiences with each other and better understand the difficulties faced by the underprivileged, which raises their ability to care.
Q: Any future planning to implement CSR in your company in the coming A:
five years?
As a responsible corporate citizen, Sino Group will continue our steadfast commitment to serving the community by proactively approaching various charity, non-profit, green and art groups and creating more voluntary opportunities for our staff members to contribute to the society in which we live. We also look forward to a long-term collaboration with these groups in the hope of achieving a far-reaching impact.
Oxfam Trailwalker Every step brings closer to poverty alleviation
Fair Trade Products
H
F
Last year there were more than 370 corporate teams joining Oxfam Trailwalker, representing nearly 40% of the total team contestants. The 48-hour event was held from 7 to 9 November 2008. For more information, please visit: www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk
Oxfam Hong Kong advocates buying Fair Trade products as a means of poverty reduction and sustainable community development in poor countries, and we support the growth of the Fair Trade movement in Hong Kong.
Snapshots of Corporate Teams: Every year thousands of Oxfam Trailwalkers experience beauty, laughter and sometimes pain as they participate in the 100km journey along the MacLehose Trail.
In 2008, Oxfam Hong Kong, together with local Fair Trade groups founded Fair Trade Hong Kong to increase the visibility of fair trade. Over the years, we have been working along farmers and Fair Trade cooperatives and networks around the world. We supported producer groups in the Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka in promoting their Fair Trade products in Hong Kong. We also sell a range of Fair Trade products at The Oxfam Shops. The addresses are listed below:
About Oxfam
Corporate Voluntary Teams
Snapshot of “Designer Labels Week” at Central shop
The Oxfam Shop (Causeway Bay)
The Oxfam Shop (Central)
11/F, Shop 33, Windsor House, 311, Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Tel: 2730 1666
LG8, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong Tel: 2522 1765 Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm Saturday: 10am - 2pm Sun & holidays: Closed
ow big you could contribute to poverty alleviation? No matter how, you can make a difference.
Oxfam Trailwalker made a remarkable footprint and has since become one of Hong Kong’s largest and most popular sports-related fundraisers. Last year Oxfam adopted “100km Trailwalking, 100% Against Poverty” as our slogan for the event. Trailwalkers were not simply walking the trail for themselves; they were also walking the trail to get people out of poverty. For the past 27 years, more than 58,000 participants have raised over HK$270 million to support Oxfam's various poverty alleviation and emergency relief projects in Africa and Asia, including Hong Kong and mainland China.
air Trade is an alternative approach to conventional trade. It brings consumers and producers closer together, and provides a way for consumers – through their purchasing choices – to directly benefit the lives of producers. Fair Trade guarantees a fair wage that enables farmers and workers to pay towards the family’s health care, education for children, and for better community infrastructure.
Issue 1, Spring 2009
Sino Group strives to contribute to the creation of a harmonious and caring society. It has been actively involved in various voluntary services, community programmes, and fundraising and green activities, as well as art and cultural events over the years. Apart from providing manpower and cash donations, the Group helps charity organizations promote their meaningful causes by offering free venues at its properties, and its vast marketing expertise.
Q: What do you think of Corporate Volunteering
Oxfam Shop
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 7pm Saturday: 12noon - 5pm Sun & holidays: Closed
corporate culture?
Corporate Volunteering has become a trend in Hong Kong with more and more companies participating in voluntary services. Many companies have seen the value of participation, which not only benefits those in need but also helps boost team spirit among staff.
Join!
Factory workers working hard in front of the sewing machine day after day
Q: How does your company embrace sponsorship activities into your
donation/cash donation to help Oxfam Hong Kong to support poor people.
A:
Oxfam Interactive Education Centre
E
A - Sino Group : Marketing and Corporate Communication Department
Q: Please share with us your most impressive experience of providing in-kind
Donations are tax-deductible with official receipts.
（可選擇多於一項 Please select one or more choices） 信用卡每月捐款將在收到此表格後約10個工作天生效，並會在每月8號左右過數，每月捐款於該信用卡到期再續後將繼續自動過數，直至閣下 另行通知為止。Monthly donation payment will become effective 10 working days after receipt of this form. Thereafter, transactions will normally be processed around the 8th of every month. Monthly donation via credit card will continue upon renewal as it expires, unless notified otherwise.
Q - Oxfam
Please send this form together with the cheque or original （如與以上相同, 則不用填寫。This company name will be marked on receipt.）
捐款方法 Donation Method
Sharing with Sino Group
（為免捐款公司記錄重複，煩請填寫。請參考地址標籤。To avoid corporate donor record duplication only. Please refer to the mailing label）
公司名稱 Company name
(請以信用卡或支票捐款 Please use credit card or cheque)
Corporate Sharing
參考編號 Serial number:
Needed for Oxfam Rice Sale 2009
T
his is our biggest fundraising event to support projects in Mainland China. We invite District Councils, schools, community centres, youth centres, government departments, companies, and places of worship – any group – to sell small packets of Oxfam Rice or to place bulk orders. We welcome corporate voluntary teams to join the event– it’s fun to offer these extra small bags of rice to the public and see their curious responses! Oxfam Rice Sale: 9, 10, 16 & 17 May, 2009 For more information: Pamela Lee (Tel: 3120 5189) Email: pamelal@oxfam.org.hk Issue 1, Spring 2009
樂施會企業捐款表格 Oxfam Corporate Donation Form
查詢電話 Enquiries: 3120 5000 傳真號碼 Fax: 2590 6880
本公司願意成為樂施會企業定期捐款者，每月定額捐款 捐款公司資料 Corporate Donor Information Our company wants to become an Oxfam Corporate Partner and donate monthly: （請盡量以英文正楷填寫 IN BLOCK LETTERS）
(請以信用卡或自動轉賬捐款 Please use credit card or autopay)
□ HK$500
□ HK$800
□ HK$1,000
□ 其他 Your choice HK$
請將此表格連同支票、銀行入數紙正本寄往香港北角馬寶道 28號華滙中心17樓樂施會收，請註明「公司捐款」。信用卡 捐款可傳真至 2590-6880。捐款可憑收據申請稅項寬減。
或 OR 本公司願意一次過捐款 Making a one-off donation: □ HK$3,000 □ HK$5,000
□ HK$10,000
收據抬頭 Receipt name（公司名稱 Company name）
□ 其他 Your choice HK$ 2008CC019
聯絡人 Contact person
信用卡 By credit card □ AMEX* □ DINER □ VISA
（先生 / 女士 / 小姐 / 太太 Mr / Ms / Mrs / Miss）
□ MASTER
(*豁免手續費 Servcie charge waived)
信用卡有效期至 Card expiry date: 月M /
信用卡號碼 Card No.:
年Y
持卡人簽名 Cardholder’s signature:
bank-in slip to Oxfam Hong Kong, 17/F, China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong. (Attention: Appeals Team). Credit donations can be faxed to 2590-6880.
自動轉賬 By autopay（自動轉賬授權書隨後寄上 Please send me an autopay authorization form）
持卡人姓名 Cardholder’s name
本公司有興趣了解「樂施扶貧企業計劃」, 請與左列聯絡人聯繫。
職位 Position
【或貴公司可直接與樂施會聯絡（電話: 31205189李小姐）】
Our company is interested in “Oxfam Corporate Donor Programme”, please contact our contact person.
部門 Department
[Or please contact Oxfam for details (Ms Lee: 3120-5189)]
閣下從以下哪一個途徑獲得本快訊資料 Ways to get this newsletters:
劃線支票 By crossed cheque（抬頭請寫「樂施會」payable to OXFAM HONG KONG） 支票號碼 Cheque no.:
聯絡電話 Tel no.
傳真號碼 Fax no.
□ 樂施會郵件 / 電郵 By Mail / Email from Oxfam Hong Kong □ 朋友介紹 / 傳閱 Referral or Circulations from friends
電郵 Email
□ 其他，請註明 Others, please state:
發票銀行 Issuing bank:
所收集的貴公司資料將保密處理，作為寄發收據及與貴公司通訊的用途。若貴公司不 願意收到樂施會任何資料，請在□上加上¸號。Your company data collected will be treated as strictly confidential and will be used only for receipting and other communications with your company. If your company would not like to receive any correspondence from Oxfam, please tick this □.
通訊地址 Mailing Address
直接存入戶口 By direct transfer - 滙豐銀行 HSBC 001-537000-001
（請連同存款收據正本寄回 Please send this form together with the original bank receipt）
veryone dreams, aspiring for advancement and improvement in life. But can development really help achieve everyone’s dream?
Another Side of the Fairy Tale, one of the programme of IEC, features a cast of characters who apparently have no relationship with each other but are in fact interconnected through all kinds of economic activities. Through participating in this workshop, conducted by professional Theatre-in-Education artist-teachers, the audience can explore the situation and challenges faced by poor people in developing countries and reflect on their own social responsibility right here in Hong Kong.
Established in 2005, the Oxfam Hong Kong Interactive Education Centre (IEC) provides an experience-based environment to learn about poverty and sustainable development issues. Through dialogue and interaction, participants develop an empathetic understanding about the situation of poorer people around the world, including in Hong Kong. IEC provides 13 interactive workshops on various themes, such as Rich and Poor, International Trade and Poverty, Environment and Disaster, Resources Distribution and Hunger, and War and Conflict. Each workshop is two to three hours long and can accommodate 15 to 45 participants.
A:
A:
It was the “Oxfam Rice Selling 2008”, a fundraising activity for Sichuan Earthquake victims held at Olympian City on 17 May 2008. In addition to sponsoring the venue for the event, nearly 70 Sino volunteers and their family members spent the whole afternoon selling bags of rice to shoppers with the hope of raising as much funds as possible. It was also encouraging to see more than 200 colleagues from various departments generously donating to Oxfam for this meaningful cause. We collected over HK$110,000 in just half a day.
Q: What motivate your company to develop
in Hong Kong? What is your company’s strategy to encourage staff members to take part in volunteering in the coming five years?
A:
To offer this or other meaningful workshops to your staff and their family, please contact Ms Lee at 3120-5189 for enquiries, enrolment and arrangement.
Another Side of Fairy Tale – Educational Theatre on the Rich and Poor Duration
Venue Fee
Date and Time Language
3 hours
Oxfam Hong Kong - 9/F, China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong
To encourage staff participation in voluntary services, Sino Group’s senior executives and managers personally take the lead in supporting the activities. Staff receive recognition through the following means: 1. Staff and their family members who have registered as Sino Volunteers are each presented a certificate by the company.
Staff of Sino Group joined Oxfam Rice Selling 2008
2. Sino Volunteer’s participation details and hours served are recorded and sent to the Volunteer Movement launched by the Social Welfare Department’s Central Office for Volunteer Service and Agency for Volunteer Service, the Community Chest of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, for official recognition towards the end of the year. 3. Appreciation certificates are presented to enthusiastic and outstanding Sino Volunteer members at the Group’s Spring Dinner. 4. Winners will also be rewarded with free professional volunteer training courses to enhance their knowledge in their areas of interest.
$15/person
About Oxfam
to be arranged together
Cantonese can supplement with English synopsis if needed
volunteering to staff members? Any positive feedback from them?
Volunteering for community work and charitable events is a good deed and a valuable contribution to society. It also offers excellent opportunities for our staff members to develop their management, communication and leadership skills. Thus, the Sino Group Community Care Committee was formed in 2003 by departmental representatives from headquarters and affiliates. Every year we join hands with charity, non-profit, green and art groups to plan and organize various voluntary works. It is encouraging to see that staff members reflect more and have become more passionate about their work. They share their volunteer experiences with each other and better understand the difficulties faced by the underprivileged, which raises their ability to care.
Q: Any future planning to implement CSR in your company in the coming A:
five years?
As a responsible corporate citizen, Sino Group will continue our steadfast commitment to serving the community by proactively approaching various charity, non-profit, green and art groups and creating more voluntary opportunities for our staff members to contribute to the society in which we live. We also look forward to a long-term collaboration with these groups in the hope of achieving a far-reaching impact.
Oxfam Trailwalker Every step brings closer to poverty alleviation
Fair Trade Products
H
F
Last year there were more than 370 corporate teams joining Oxfam Trailwalker, representing nearly 40% of the total team contestants. The 48-hour event was held from 7 to 9 November 2008. For more information, please visit: www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk
Oxfam Hong Kong advocates buying Fair Trade products as a means of poverty reduction and sustainable community development in poor countries, and we support the growth of the Fair Trade movement in Hong Kong.
Snapshots of Corporate Teams: Every year thousands of Oxfam Trailwalkers experience beauty, laughter and sometimes pain as they participate in the 100km journey along the MacLehose Trail.
In 2008, Oxfam Hong Kong, together with local Fair Trade groups founded Fair Trade Hong Kong to increase the visibility of fair trade. Over the years, we have been working along farmers and Fair Trade cooperatives and networks around the world. We supported producer groups in the Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka in promoting their Fair Trade products in Hong Kong. We also sell a range of Fair Trade products at The Oxfam Shops. The addresses are listed below:
About Oxfam
Corporate Voluntary Teams
Snapshot of “Designer Labels Week” at Central shop
The Oxfam Shop (Causeway Bay)
The Oxfam Shop (Central)
11/F, Shop 33, Windsor House, 311, Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Tel: 2730 1666
LG8, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong Tel: 2522 1765 Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm Saturday: 10am - 2pm Sun & holidays: Closed
ow big you could contribute to poverty alleviation? No matter how, you can make a difference.
Oxfam Trailwalker made a remarkable footprint and has since become one of Hong Kong’s largest and most popular sports-related fundraisers. Last year Oxfam adopted “100km Trailwalking, 100% Against Poverty” as our slogan for the event. Trailwalkers were not simply walking the trail for themselves; they were also walking the trail to get people out of poverty. For the past 27 years, more than 58,000 participants have raised over HK$270 million to support Oxfam's various poverty alleviation and emergency relief projects in Africa and Asia, including Hong Kong and mainland China.
air Trade is an alternative approach to conventional trade. It brings consumers and producers closer together, and provides a way for consumers – through their purchasing choices – to directly benefit the lives of producers. Fair Trade guarantees a fair wage that enables farmers and workers to pay towards the family’s health care, education for children, and for better community infrastructure.
Issue 1, Spring 2009
Sino Group strives to contribute to the creation of a harmonious and caring society. It has been actively involved in various voluntary services, community programmes, and fundraising and green activities, as well as art and cultural events over the years. Apart from providing manpower and cash donations, the Group helps charity organizations promote their meaningful causes by offering free venues at its properties, and its vast marketing expertise.
Q: What do you think of Corporate Volunteering
Oxfam Shop
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 7pm Saturday: 12noon - 5pm Sun & holidays: Closed
corporate culture?
Corporate Volunteering has become a trend in Hong Kong with more and more companies participating in voluntary services. Many companies have seen the value of participation, which not only benefits those in need but also helps boost team spirit among staff.
Join!
Factory workers working hard in front of the sewing machine day after day
Q: How does your company embrace sponsorship activities into your
donation/cash donation to help Oxfam Hong Kong to support poor people.
A:
Oxfam Interactive Education Centre
E
A - Sino Group : Marketing and Corporate Communication Department
Q: Please share with us your most impressive experience of providing in-kind
Donations are tax-deductible with official receipts.
（可選擇多於一項 Please select one or more choices） 信用卡每月捐款將在收到此表格後約10個工作天生效，並會在每月8號左右過數，每月捐款於該信用卡到期再續後將繼續自動過數，直至閣下 另行通知為止。Monthly donation payment will become effective 10 working days after receipt of this form. Thereafter, transactions will normally be processed around the 8th of every month. Monthly donation via credit card will continue upon renewal as it expires, unless notified otherwise.
Q - Oxfam
Please send this form together with the cheque or original （如與以上相同, 則不用填寫。This company name will be marked on receipt.）
捐款方法 Donation Method
Sharing with Sino Group
（為免捐款公司記錄重複，煩請填寫。請參考地址標籤。To avoid corporate donor record duplication only. Please refer to the mailing label）
公司名稱 Company name
(請以信用卡或支票捐款 Please use credit card or cheque)
Corporate Sharing
參考編號 Serial number:
Needed for Oxfam Rice Sale 2009
T
his is our biggest fundraising event to support projects in Mainland China. We invite District Councils, schools, community centres, youth centres, government departments, companies, and places of worship – any group – to sell small packets of Oxfam Rice or to place bulk orders. We welcome corporate voluntary teams to join the event– it’s fun to offer these extra small bags of rice to the public and see their curious responses! Oxfam Rice Sale: 9, 10, 16 & 17 May, 2009 For more information: Pamela Lee (Tel: 3120 5189) Email: pamelal@oxfam.org.hk Issue 1, Spring 2009
CSR Corner
Be a CSR-friendly company
F
orward-thinking companies understand that they must earn the respect and confidence of their customers and stakeholders to succeed. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is certainly what they embrace and internalize in their business operation. So, what is CSR all about? While there is no doubt that Hong Kong companies are good at philanthropic contributions, the concept of CSR stretches beyond donation and charity work. It is not only about a company giving the money away, but also about how a company making profits in a way that, first and foremost, does no harm to people and environment. Despite the absence of a universally accepted definition of CSR, Oxfam Hong Kong believes that a company should look beyond the profit and shareholder notion, and demonstrate itself to be socially and environmentally accountable to all stakeholders affected by its activities.
For the past few years, Oxfam Hong Kong has strived to support industry efforts in promoting CSR practices. In 2006, we collated research findings into the Transparency Report: How Hong Kong garment companies can improve public reporting of their labour standards, which seeks to raise companies’ awareness on CSR as well as labour protection issues. More recently, we completed a study on the CSR practices of Hong Kong garment investors in Cambodia. In December 2008, we sponsored a survey on CSR practices of the Hang Seng Index constituent companies. As these are the companies with heavy presence in Hong Kong and surrounds, their performance is anticipated to create a rippling
Nowadays, people increasingly come to realize that corporations are expected to address the unsettling issues of pollution, resource exploitation, disaster, poverty, as well as other sustainability matters. This is a golden opportunity for companies to capitalize their abilities to act responsibly and to adopt a sustainable outlook, which appeals to their customers and members of the general public as well. In this connection, CSR is no longer an afterthought or a public relations gimmick, but in fact a business strategy that maintains creditability of companies, benefits themselves and the society at large.
Corporate Acknowledgement
Cover Story
Gas for Fun
Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association - Mr Billy Lau, Vice Chairman TNT Express Worldwide (HK) Ltd - Ms Louisa Lee, Director of Human Resources Accenture Hong Kong - Ms Anita Yu, Marketing Manager (Ho Wai Chi, Hong Kong Director of Oxfam Hong Kong) (Ms Vivian Chow, Oxfam Ambassador of China Development Fund 2008) Cathay Pacific Catering Services (HK) Ltd - Ms Ruby Lau, Senior Training and Staff Communication Officer Panalpina China Ltd – Mr Eddy lu, General Manager, Senior Vice President, Hong Kong Business Unit Ethiopian Coffee Holding Ltd – Mr Kevin Ng, Managing Director (Kanie Siu, Deputy Hong Kong Director of Oxfam Hong Kong) (not in photo) Sino Group – Ms Dionne Kung, General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communication Department
Oxfam Corporate Donor Programme (CDP)2008-2009 CDP
Oxfam Hong Kong
We always work with companies/organizations which demonstrate its commitment to human rights, environmental protection and poverty reduction to foster improvement in livelihood of poor people.
(As of August to December 2008)
JOIN US TO STOP POVERTY! We treasure working with you.
Enquiry for programme details and acknowledgement:
3120 5189
Address: 17/F, China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong.
Tel: 3120-5189
Fax: 2527-6213
Website: www.oxfam.org.hk
Email: pamelal@oxfam.org.hk
Editorial Committee: Kanie Siu, Lum Kwok Choi, Gary Ku, Pamela Lee Issue 1, Spring 2009
Words from Oxfam
CSR in Hard Times
I
n the year 2000, the leaders of 189 countries set up some targets to reduce poverty, disease and suffering before 2015. These are known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and they address such basic civilized intentions as halving the number of poor people, reducing the death of babies and mothers at birth, getting more girls into school and reducing the impact of some major killer diseases.
http://www.maketradefair.org.hk/download/Transparen cyReport-eng.pdf
Companies who received Oxfam Outstanding Corporate Donor Award 2007 include (from right to left):
Cathay Pacific Catering Services (HK) Limited Columbia Sportswear Company Homeless Ltd Lovells MTR Corporation Limited The Nielsen Company Hong Kong
- An interview with Towngas
“Transparency Report: How Hong Kong garment companies can improve public reporting of their labour standards” is available for download at:
Snapshots on Oxfam Corporate Donor Programme 2007
is a year-round integrated channel for socially-responsible companies to support poverty eradication and to enhance team building among their colleagues through efforts such as supporting relief & development projects and volunteering.
Issue 1, Spring 2009
effect on the rest of economy. Details can be found at http://www.oxfam.org.hk/fs/view/downloadables/pdf /report/CSRsurvey_of_HSI_companies2008_en.pdf
Prize presentation on 25 July 2008
Heartfelt thanks to our corporate partners that join our Programme 2008-2009:
EXPRESS
Not surprisingly, some companies might find CSR as an “inconvenient notion” to swallow. Companies argue that some of CSR initiatives could conflict with the very nature of business, i.e. its economic and profit-making orientation. It is true that corporate should change the mode of operation for implementing corporate social responsibility, such as to implement stringent procedures for dealing with sewage, to pay extra costs for using safe and sustainable raw materials, to reduce carbon emission, to pay minimum wage and provide adequate measures for occupational health and safety and so on. But from another perspective, corporate could in return gain good reputation and increase customer confidence. More examples have shown that responsible business conducts could help companies win new export orders, improve employee morale and attract socially responsible investors.
Ms Wong Sau Ying
Head of Corporate Communications The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
N
o make-up, no suit, no formal setting. A sense of warmth and care was in the air during the interview with Wong Sau Ying, the Head of Corporate Communications of Towngas. A sense of ease, just like when we turn on the stove, and automatically, there is gas. Towngas strives to extend this responsibility and reliability to every corner of Hong Kong, and the world, through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaign. “Initiatives start from front-line staff and go up to management level,” Wong said. “Our Towngas technicians realize the social needs of our clients during our service provision.” Bottom-up Initiatives
Towngas was awarded 2007/2008 “Total Caring Award” by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and the company has been actively engaged in community service since the 1990s, Wong indicated. Initiatives have been multi-faceted, including concession schemes for needy people, check-up services for PE Link, distribution of mooncakes, rice dumplings and soup for elderly people, voluntary haircutting services, and forming several volunteer teams for various efforts.
All partnerships are built on trust, including partnerships with NGOs. Its ties with Oxfam Hong Kong can be traced back to 2005, when the company became a sponsor for the annual Oxfam Rice Sale. The year 2008 marked the fourth consecutive year that Towngas has been an event Co-sponsor. When asked why Oxfam was selected as a long-term partner, Wong said that to her, both Towngas and Oxfam have similar mindsets. “What we want to do is not a one-off co-operation. We strive to work with the community for sustainable development and continuous improvement. This philosophy matches well with Oxfam which aims at working with people against poverty.” The concept of CSR has started to take root among businesses in Hong Kong. Wong said that multi-national enterprises in Hong Kong are much more inclined to participate in CSR than local
Role of Private Sector
enterprises and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), adding that “big enterprises can be mentors for SMEs to adopt CSR.” She suggested that rather than smaller enterprises doing CSR projects on their own, they could consider entering into partnerships with non-government organisations (NGOs). In this way, resources and expertise can be shared and optimised. But Wong stressed, “All partnerships are built on trust, including partnerships with NGOs; trust is crucial to a stable and beneficial relationship.”
Last year, we were half-way towards the deadline world leaders set to demonstrate that we could work together to achieve a better world. It is clear that governments, even when they work with aid agencies such as Oxfam, are not going to be able to meet these vitals without help from the business sector. Recent crises in food prices, climate change, energy costs and the economic downturn indicate how important the role of the private sector has in solving problems that hit poor people first and hit poor people hardest.
Checklist for Selection
Wong said that in 2006, Towngas compiled a checklist for the selection of their suppliers in an effort not to give contracts to inappropriate companies, such as ones with bad labour records including ‘sweatshops’ - or companies that have caused environmental damage. She said that Towngas regularly assigns staff to check the practices of its suppliers and partners, and that assistance can be provided to existing suppliers which may need improvement. This extension of support to suppliers and their partners is an expression of the commitment needed for CSR. Good partnerships must be formed – social connections with care, warmth, responsibility, and even fun. After all, it’s people working with people, and if this interview is any indication of how Towngas works with its suppliers – a discussion full of conscience and commitment, but also laughter and sincerity – then it seems that Towngas is on its way to spreading fairness and fun to every corner of the business world as well as the developing world. Towngas with Oxfam Year 2004
Emergency: Tsunami Donation support to Oxfam Hong Kong
Year 2005-2008 Oxfam Rice selling Campaign Co-sponsor for 4 years Year 2008
Emergency: Sichuan earthquake Oxfam Hong Kong is the beneficiary of Towngas’s event with Kee Wah Bakery on 1 June 2008
Economic downturn hit poor people hardest
The economy is going through a rough ride. But as a result of events in the financial sector, people are challenging the private sector to demonstrate that it is conducting business in a way that benefits society in real ways. In hard economic times, companies should realize there is even greater value in demonstrating their corporate social responsibility.
How can business help?
Philanthropy and social investment in community programmes is one aspect of CSR. Oxfam’s advice to companies participating social-development projects is this: don’t just park the initiative in ‘Community Affairs’ or ‘Public Relations’ and write off the investment as philanthropy. If you are investing in it, then add value by assessing the return on that investment, in this case measured in terms of social and environmental capital. It will help you, and your charitable partners, if you bring your management and technical skills into social projects and apply your usual rigour in measuring that value. In addition to philanthropy, companies must consider how their core business contributes not just to growth for the few at the expense of some others, but to reducing inequality in order to bring broad benefits to society. In a world facing the challenges of inequality, climate change, and economic recession, cooperation and common purpose between business, government and NGOs is not a luxury, it is an essential strategy.
John Sayer
Director General, Oxfam Hong Kong
Issue 1, Spring 2009