Internationally Certified CSR Practitioner Workshop by CSE

Specializing in sustainable development solutions for corporations, the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) is hosting its North American Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) certification workshop on February 9 – 10, 2010. This unique two-day intensive program supports Executives and Sustainability professionals acquire the skills and competencies required to grow and to become qualified CSR practitioners. Sustainability can increase efficiency and be cost-effective in a growing, developing, and highly competitive industry that is dramatically shifting standards and priorities in strategic development.

“Our workshop in North America represents the culmination of years of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability experience of CSE in the European and International markets,” says CSE President Nikos Avlonas, having worked with more than 5,000 professionals in 12 countries. Mr. Avlonas is one of the workshop trainers with extensive international experience in Strategic Sustainable Development Advisory Services. The February workshop will provide opportunities for companies to build authenticity into their CSR programs and have CSR practitioners certified by CSE and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), the well known international institute for environmental training.

According to a recent study by the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), almost 90 percent of the U.S. population believes it is important for companies to not just be profitable, but to be mindful of their impact on the environment and society. Just over 70 percent of consumers state that knowing a company is mindful of their impact on the environment and society makes them more likely to buy their products or services, and almost 50 percent indicates it makes them more likely to buy their stock.

The CSR Practitioner’s workshop is designed for all professionals responsible for the management of CSR, Marketing, and Public Relations activities. General Managers, Public Relations Managers and Sustainability and Environmental Professionals will advance their CSR understanding, acquire the skill and knowledge that will bring added value and authenticity to their company, and also earn an official business qualification.

The ultimate goal of the CSE workshop in North America is to provide the tools and training that will instill the growing importance of corporate social responsibility into company strategy and also help demonstrate ethical business practices. This will in turn build corporate and community recognition in sustainable business through the examination of current best practices. With specialized, detailed and highly focused training, the CSE workshop will cover:

• CSR & Sustainable Development Concepts
• Global Warming & Climate Change Issues
• Future trends & legislation in the U.S. & Worldwide on Corporate Responsibility
• The Stakeholder Approach & CSR
• CSR Communication & Reporting
• Global Standards/Models/Guidelines & Tools for practical CSR integration (GRI, UN Global Compact, EFQM)
• A CSR Action Plan for your organization (prerequisite for CSR practitioner Qualification)

The certified workshop launched in Europe and expanded in many different countries successfully by CSE, represents a stepping-stone for organizations that want to implement Sustainability into their operations gradually, one-step at a time. More than eighty Professionals have already joined this unique workshop.

The Workshop was last implemented on September 2009, in Chicago and was certified as carbon neutral. Participants of the workshop represented five continents and a myriad of industries, backgrounds, and expertise, ranging from CSR Managers to University Directors, and finally CSR Bloggers,
CSE will be hosting a Sustainability Roundtable Discussion on February 9th at 5:30 p.m. at the Hotel Monaco. The event titled, “Emerging from the Economic Crisis, using Sustainability to Transform your Organization”, will help participants think about how Sustainability applies to their current business models, and discuss with other like-minded individuals the business barriers to adopting Sustainability.

To improve your organizations’ and/or institutions’ Sustainability and bring positive impact and added value for all stakeholders, enroll in CSE’s North American Workshop at www.cse-northamerica.org, contact Nick Andrews at 773-714-5065 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Participant Quotes:
“I appreciated the teamwork/collaborative approach and availability of the instructor for questions/discussion”
Grant Buma, Sara Lee, Senior Account Manager
“The interactive opportunities and group assignments”
Aman Singh, Valut.com, editor, Diversity & Corporate Responsibility
“The knowledge level of the tutor and people’s attitude to the subject of CSR”
Dr. Dilek Aydemir, The CSR Institute Board Member
“What I liked most about this training is the ability to practice what was learnt in class and hear about the CSR strategies of different organisations”
Ms. Caroline Wehbeh, Corp. Comm. Manager, DWTC