Partnership for Sustainable Social Responsibility

This week Jordanian NGO Al Urdun Al Jadid Research Center (UJRC) held their Corporate Social Market Expo as part of their MEPI Local Grant project supporting corporate social responsibility (CSR), "Partnership for Sustainable Social Responsibility."  The Expo marked the launch of a new national "Forum for Social Responsibility" in Jordan.  The attendees represented major Jordanian businesses, international corporations doing business in Jordan, government entities, and civil society groups.  Representatives from several large businesses spoke about their contributions in the field of CSR, and important NGOs shared their experience working with the private sector  to serve the community, the poor, youth groups, the underprivileged, and students at schools and universities through scholarships and renovations of old schools.

The Expo was the last step in the MEPI project's goal of helping NGOs to network - and secure funding or partnerships - with Jordanian and international companies which have incorporated CSR as part of their company’s corporate strategy.  Participants also learned about how other NGOs have managed to use companies pursuing a CSR strategy to help implement civil society programs. 

Mr. Wasef Azar, former Jordanian Minister of Industry and Trade, said “the Forum constitute[d] an institutional framework and a quality umbrella for corporate social responsibility efforts.”  Jordanian daily Al Ghad published a prominent article featuring the launch of the forum entitled “Launch of the National Forum for Social Responsibility.”