The issue of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – once a special field for business ethicists – is today on the agendas of businesses, ministries and international organisations. The adoption of social and ecological responsibility is increasingly recognised as the foundation for sustainable corporate management: that is, CSR not as charity but as a strategic competitive advantage.

The central argument for CSR is, in addition to ethical considerations, the "business argument" – raising corporate economic performance levels through socially and ecologically sustainable corporate policy.

There are many advantages: proactive risk prevention, investment in the future, and a good reputation with employees, customers, investors, policy-makers and the public. In addition, CSR strategies are often accompanied by increases in quality and productivity.

For GTZ, CSR is an important issue, because the spectrum of responsible and sustainable corporate policy includes a number of areas relevant to development policy:

• guarantees of human rights
• the introduction of social standards
• prevention of HIV/AIDS
• supplier certification
• safety at work
• consumer protection
• climate protection
• caring for the environment and
• the sustainable management of natural resources.

GTZ already works together with the private sector within the framework of public-private partnerships in over 60 countries. The partners join forces to achieve both commercial success and development policy goals. GTZ, as a resourceful, effective  and globally recognised partner, provides services and tools that can help companies achieve their social goals throughout the world.

International initiatives

There are a number of international intiatives that promote CSR standards, and in some cases specific projects. Included among these are industry and trade initiatives, national and international policy approaches and civil society activities. 

The best known multilateral initiative is the Global Compact, called into being by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2000. Enterprises volunteer to work with governments, civil society organisations, unions, and the academic community in support of socially and ecologically responsible corporate management. GTZ assists this development both as coordinator of the German Global Compact Network and through its own participation in the Global Compact.

Further information

• Corporate Social Responsibility and Development Cooperation
  brochure
  gtz2010-de-csr-factsheet1.pdf, 0.34 MB (German)
  gtz2010-en-csr-factsheet1.pdf, 0.36 MB (English)

• United Nations: The Global Compact
  www.unglobalcompact.org