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CSR is a tool through which companies contribute to sustainable development

– The conference is an initiative of a group of organizations that have recognized the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and represents a central social event in its promotion. We want to develop mechanisms for exchanging experiences and a platform for dialogue to learn from each other.

I must say that CSR is a tool through which companies contribute to sustainable development, that is, economic growth that mitigates the impact on the environment and society. By applying CSR, companies also develop smartly – said Mirjana Matešić, director of the Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development, announcing the 7th Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility, which will be held on December 1, 2015. The conference itself will be divided into two parts, the first of a plenary nature, while the second half will be of a professional-scientific type.

Tajana Kesić Šapić, director of the industry sector of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, presented the CSR Index award, which will be awarded for the eighth time this year. This is a method of assessing the social responsibility of companies in Croatia based on a ranking system that allows for an objective assessment of socially responsible practices of companies and comparison with the practices of others.

– All Croatian companies could participate in the competition, but only those that meet certain financial criteria will be able to be winners. Large and medium-sized companies had to complete a questionnaire of 120 questions, while smaller companies had a tailored questionnaire through which progress in six areas will be evaluated – said Kesić Šapić, adding that 104 companies applied this year.

A member of the Management Board of the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR), Martina Jus, briefly presented CSR practices in that state institution, one of the main sponsors of the Conference.

The future CEO of Lidl Croatia, Boris Lozić, who will take office on December 4, 2015, briefly introduced himself and emphasized that Lidl recognized the conference as an internationally important project and is therefore one of the main sponsors. He also announced what we can expect from him when he officially takes office.

– The path that the former CEO Lukšić started with his team, I will strive to continue and develop, and to initiate some new projects – said Lozić.