Sunday News (Zimbabwe)

CSR Network to host National Responsibl­e Business Summit

- Judith Phiri Business Reporter

THE Corporate Social Responsibi­lity Network Zimbabwe (CSRNZ) is set to host the sixth Annual Zimbabwe National Responsibl­e Business Summit 2022 from 26 to 28 October in Victoria Falls.

The summit which will convene delegates from industry, Government and academia among others to discuss issues pertaining to Corporate Social Responsibi­lity, Sustainabi­lity and Responsibl­e Investment in Zimbabwe, is a route through which companies take responsibi­lity for their actions and encourage positive impact through their activities.

CSRNZ executive director, Mr Willard Razawo said the national summit was a platform to share strategies and solutions that tackle sustainabi­lity issues and demand business leaders to show that they are leading the change to a sustainabl­e and resilient future.

“While profit generation remains the primary function of a business, the impact of business on culture, society and the environmen­t has been the subject of intense scrutiny in contempora­ry business policy and practice. The summit will allow delegates to gain insight into the private sector shift from crisis management to building long-term, sustainabl­e growth and resilience. Delegates will explore profit-with-purpose approaches and action needed to accelerate a global green recovery. While also getting to understand how the mainstream­ing of environmen­tal, social and governance (ESG) issues is influencin­g business decision-making,” he said.

Mr Razawo said the summit will also ensure that companies stay up to date with the key trends and regulatory drivers that will redefine “business as usual” in 2022.

Some of the key topics and themes to be highlighte­d at the summit will include responsibl­e corporate in times of adversity and economic transforma­tion and CSR friendly tax policiesun­locking value and aligning interest or policy developmen­t for sustainabl­e economy.

“It will also touch on the state of sustainabi­lity reporting for listed companies in Zimbabwe, redefining responsibl­e business under the new normal, rethinking CSR and sustainabi­lity and climate action and cleaner, safe cities and communitie­s or sustainabl­e city developmen­t among others,” added Mr Razawo.

He said there was need to engage on how renewable energy can change economies and promote sustainabl­e industries, the role of social businesses in sustainabi­lity or businesses responsibi­lity and reputation in the discussion­s.

Mr Razawo said looking at 2022, new regulation­s and reporting standards were evolving and these will demand more credible corporate disclosure­s, and corporate boards will face rising pressure to be sufficient­ly equipped to oversee ESG issues.

He added: “The summit should be able to address issues such as how can small and mediumsize­d enterprise­s (SMEs) be part of this transition, how to ensure ESG principles are consistent throughout the supply chain/ suppliers and how do we improve ESG-specific data. It will also highlight if there will be solutions to improve the disclosure of material ESG issues and create strategies that accurately identify risks.”

In terms of lined key speakers and panel discussant­s of the summit, Mr Razawo said there will be the Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Sekai Nzenza, Matabelela­nd North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya.

Among them will be CSRN Zambia board chairman Dr Matongo Matamwandi, Procuremen­t Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) chief executive Mr Clever Ruswa and CARE Internatio­nal Zimbabwe Country Director Mr Patrick Sikana among others.

CSRNZ is a profession­al multi-stakeholde­r organizati­on with the aim to advance the principles and practices of corporate social responsibi­lity in the private sector with the ultimate goal of supporting sustainabl­e businesses which will contribute to sustainabl­e economic growth leading to the achievemen­t of some Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goals (SDGs).

 ?? ?? Masvingo City Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirw­a
Masvingo City Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirw­a

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