UNICEF calls for child-focused corporate social responsibility at the opening of the Bank Fair in Maputo
MAPUTO, Mozambique, 27 March 2012 – Last Friday, UNICEF Mozambique deputy representative Dr. Roberto de Bernardi called on business to promote child-focused corporate social responsibility programmes (CSR) and policies. Dr. de Bernardi spoke at the opening of the inaugural Bank Fair, an event attended by companies, the media and other stakeholders. In his address, Dr. de Bernardi noted that a growing number of companies in Mozambique has been reporting CSR activities and that many of these activities benefit children through, for example, refurbishment of schools, purchase of health equipment and provision of school materials and clothing for young students. Dr. de Bernardi urged businesses to take another step in their CSR efforts by promoting child rights as part of their corporate sustainability agenda. “We urge companies in Mozambique to respect and protect the best interest of children and their rights in all policies, operations, products, services, initiatives and activities related to their company,” said Dr. de Bernardi, who also made reference to the child rights and business principles document that was launched by Save the Children, UNICEF and UN Global Compact on March 12, 2012, in London. These principles identify a comprehensive set of actions that all businesses should take to prevent and ameliorate any adverse impact of their activities and enhance the positive impact they may have on children's lives. “An intervention will only be sustainable if we maximize the synergy between private sector, civil society and Government, which is why partnerships are key,” concluded Dr. de Bernardi. For more information, please contact Arild Drivdal, UNICEF Mozambique, tel. (+258) 21 481 100; email: maputo@unicef.org Gabriel Pereira, UNICEF Mozambique, tel. (+258) 21 481 100; email: maputo@unicef.org
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