Chambers to commend corporate social responsibility

The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) today announced that its annual President’s Awards will this year be dedicated to honouring corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The awards, which are sponsored by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, will be presented along with the Annual CCI Chamber of Year Awards at a special ceremony in Clontarf Castle on November 11 following CCI’s annual general meeting.

Announcing the President’s Award for CSR, CCI President Mark Staunton said: “Chambers of commerce have always recognised the importance of companies integrating social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.”

“CCI felt it was time that the national Irish chamber movement recognised this important contribution made by companies to society,” he explained.

Chambers will elect the CCI Board 2004/5 at the AGM and while it is expected that Mark Staunton will remain as CCI president for another year, the network will be selecting a new deputy president, who, it is anticipated, will take over as CCI president in 2005.