More and more corporations in Asia are beginning to realize the need to incorporate a cost-effective corporate social responsibility (CSR) program for their businesses to become sustainable and remain profitable. This was disclosed by Prof. Felipe Alfonso, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees and executive director of the Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. AIM Center for Corporate Social Responsibility.

Working together for CSR, Alfonso emphasized, gives governments, NGOs, and private companies the social license to operate. For these three sectors, it makes good business and economic sense to come together for the common good.

Alfonso explained that companies will thrive better in an environment that is healthy and conducive for profit-making, which is why they must learn to maximize resources and apply creativity in coming up with new products and services that would address current social issues while keeping business profitable.

One company that has successfully incorporated CSR into its operations is Jollibee. By helping farmers improve the production of rice – a staple food among Filipinos – Jollibee has in turn benefited through an assured supply of a better quality product. Another one is Figaro, which works with coffee farmers for the production of better coffee varieties it can serve to customers.

“Consumers won’t mind paying for anything that is marketed for a good cause. Take the Prius, for example. It’s a good product – economical and at the same time convenient to use. More importantly, it’s environment friendly. People are buying it regardless of cost,” Alfonso cited.

“The Philippines is learning from this example. Our telcos have come up with products and services such as unlimited calls and SMS that benefit both consumers and the underprivileged sector of society. Portions of the cost of sending text messages, for example, go to livelihood or job generating projects of these telcos.”

Compared with Europe and America, however, Asia still lacks the maturity it needs to enforce CSR and make it effective for business. Alfonso acknowledged the fact that while there are efforts being done, Asian resources are meager and social concerns are different.

“While most developed countries are into the issue of climate change, Asia still has to contend with poverty alleviation on top of other equally relevant issues like education and health. That is why Asia needs to come together and learn from its rich neighbors on how to sustain CSR in these trying times,” Alfonso further stated.

Learning and sharing best CSR practices is one of the benefits expected from the coming 8th Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR) to be held on November 19 and 20, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Manila. With CSR practitioners, academicians, and industry experts from all over the world participating, the forum will tackle the theme: Sustaining CSR in Difficult Times: How your business can benefit and why it still makes good business sense.

The AFCSR is considered as Asia’s foremost conference and expo of its kind in corporate social responsibility. Tutorials, briefings, demonstrations, and an exposition is expected to provide delegates with new knowledge and skills on CSR programs in the areas of environment, best workplace practices, social response and community involvement, human rights initiatives, and supply chain responsibility.