Ukraine leads in CSR for HR

Ukraine does not feature in Wayne Vissers's book World Guide to CSR nor does it feature in a Global Overview of CSR published by BITC in 2010. Yet the Ukraine cannot be discounted when it comes to CSR and Sustainability. This not-so-small country, which used to be the second largest economy in the former Soviet Union, has a population of over 48 million,  a strategic central-eastern Europe location and a GDP per capita of over $6,600. Ukraine produces nearly all types of transportation vehicles and spacecraft, has a very large heavy-industry base and is one of the largest refiners of metallurgical products in Eastern Europe. The IT sector is also growing strongly. Many multinational compaies operate in Ukraine as well as many large local players.

Ukraine has a vibrant and growing CSR community which includes a strong UN Global Compact Network with over 150 members and the CSR Ukraine Community, a social enterprise established in 2008 to promote and advance corporate social responsibility in Ukraine. A quick look at the CSR Ukraine Bulletin or the Centre for CSR Development shows a wealth of activity designed to assess the status of and advance sustainable business practices, not least due to the energy and drive of its leader, Maryna Saprynka, a national Ukraine CSR expert. Non-financial reporting in the Ukraine is also moving forward and the research report published in 2010 by the Ukraine UNGC Network on non-financial reporting shows  55 reports of all types have been published by 38 companies, although only 10% of the top 100 companies engage in non-financial reporting.  The Centre for CSR Development has also published an analytical report on CSR development in Ukraine 2005-2010 based on a survey among 600 Ukrainian companies.

Anyhow, it is not by chance that I have a new fascination with Ukraine and sustainability. I will be visiting for the first time at the end of this month, to speak at a workshop on CSR for HR, hosted by the Centre for CSR Development and JT International Company Ukraine (JTI). The workshop is entitled "How to increase CSR effectiveness: HR role" and will present the results of a unique and very forward-thinking study published after many  months of work in the framework of a laboratory for understanding and defining CSR and HR issues and specifically surveying and interviewing 18 companies' HR, CSR or PR representatives. At the workshop, I will talk about aspects of CSR for HR.

If any of you just happen to be around in Kyiv on 28th April, this promises to be a fascinating few hours. You can register here.

See ya there !

elaine cohen, CSR consultant, Sustainabilty Reporter, HR Professional, Author of CSR for HR: A necessary partnership for advancing responsible business practices. Contact me via www.twitter.com/elainecohen  on Twitter or via my website www.b-yond.biz/en