تكريم رئيس غرفة البحرين واطلاق مبادرة عن «الأمن الغذائي» و«دليل استرشادي لقانون المسؤولية المجتمعية»

Bahrain hosted the “International Congress for Social Responsibility for the year 2024” with Arab and international participation

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Under the honorary patronage of Samir Abdullah Nass, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President of the Union of Arab Chambers, the activities of the fourth edition of the “International Congress for Social Responsibility 2024” were held in the Kingdom of Bahrain, at the Movenpick Hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain, with high-level Arab and international participation, on Sunday morning. Corresponding to March 3, 2024 AD, and organized by the “Regional Network for Social Responsibility” in cooperation with the “International Federation for Social Responsibility”. The slogan of the fourth edition of this international event was “Towards adopting and developing legislation and laws that enhance social responsibility applications in Arab countries.” The events of the “International Congress for Social Responsibility 2024” were opened in the presence of a group of public figures, economists, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the press and media, and members of the Shura and Representatives Councils in the Kingdom of Bahrain. His Excellency Mr. Samir bin Abdullah Nass, the honorary sponsor, opened this event with a speech in which he “stressed the importance of the role of social responsibility for the advancement of societies, and the promotion of humanitarian, charitable and voluntary concepts as an integral part of the concepts of our true religion, which urges social solidarity, spending, doing good in all its ways, and working in what is beneficial.” People, and it is a culture rooted in Bahraini society, which is a unique model of community solidarity, and the continuous endeavor to support projects and programs that support the progress and progress of society, praising the tireless efforts made by the Regional Network for Social Responsibility in this file and its endless keenness to give community rights special attention, which is reflected in the formulation Sustainable and solid foundations that guarantee the comprehensive expansion of the concepts of societal duties and their positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities. He added that social responsibility is not merely honorary or protocol roles, but rather carries within it a missional aspect that places greater challenges on the shoulders of those working in it, represented by the necessity of redoubling efforts to advance societal roles. institutions and promoting the values ​​of solidarity and interdependence, and emphasizing that concerted efforts are the only way to overcome challenges and achieve desired goals, indicating that the private sector plays an essential role in social responsibility, as it is the main partner in development paths and enhancing the growth of the national economy, in addition to its role in creating the work environment. Creating employment and training opportunities, raising human capabilities, and empowering women in a way that qualifies societies to achieve sustainable development goals and national policies and programs that enhance community work. Nass explained that the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry was and continues to be an essential partner and supporter in activating the role of companies in achieving their social responsibility, believing in the importance of adopting an approach Comprehensively, to promote the values ​​of social responsibility that are part of our true religion, noting that the Chamber, within the framework of this approach, had previously cooperated and launched a group of initiatives and programs to enhance community partnership, including providing job opportunities within the Alternative Sanctions Program, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, the National Institution for Human Rights, and other parties. concerned with the application of alternative penalties, in fulfillment of the visions of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the country, to expand the application of the Penal Code and alternative measures for all those who deserve it, in addition to launching the Try to Work Program (targeted at the student category), and the Traders Program to train entrepreneurs, and its ultimate goal was Consolidating the culture of social responsibility among the business community in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and pushing it to broader paths to include all parties of society, in order to achieve a qualitative shift in various areas of work related to community partnership issues through short and long-term programs. He stressed the importance of the topic that Congress chose for this purpose. General, as the current time requires the adoption and development of enhanced legislation and laws for social responsibility applications in Arab countries as a serious step towards participating in achieving development goals, praising in the same context the constructive contribution of the Regional Network for Social Responsibility and its role in spreading the culture of social responsibility in the Arab region in particular and countries. The Middle East in general, looking forward to more joint cooperation and coordination between all parties to help companies and institutions make their practices, businesses and activities responsible and compatible with sustainable development standards, in line with the successes achieved by the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al. Successor to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister in creating a clear development impact on areas of social responsibility.

Then the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Regional Network for Social Responsibility gave a speech in which he said, “We warmly welcome you to the activities of the fourth session of the International Congress for Social Responsibility, held in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The working papers of this session discuss the topic of “Towards adopting and developing legislation and laws that enhance the applications of responsibility.” community in the Arab countries.” In this edition, we were keen to accompany it with two main activities, namely our organization of events:

1- The Seventh Forum of International Ambassadors for Social Responsibility in 2024.

2- The Second Conference of Social Responsibility Law Jurists for the year 2024 AD.

He also added, “Community responsibility legislation and laws are an essential tool for achieving sustainable development and social and economic progress in Arab countries, and carry great importance for several reasons, including:

– Providing a legal framework for social responsibility that helps achieve equality and social justice by ensuring that the responsibility of entities, whether governmental, private or community, is directed towards weak and needy groups in society.

It also contributes to encouraging companies to adopt the principles of social responsibility, which contributes to improving their business behavior and positively impacting local communities by supporting social and environmental projects.

Likewise, the existence of legislation related to social responsibility works to provide a legal framework to protect the environment, which contributes to reducing air, water and soil pollution, and contributes to preserving natural resources for current and future generations.

Legislation related to social responsibility can enhance transparency and good governance practices in the public and private sectors as well as in civil society organizations, which contributes to reducing corruption and enhancing integrity.

In addition, legislation related to social responsibility encourages cooperation between the government, companies and civil society in areas such as sustainable development and achieving social and environmental goals.

Finally, the availability of a legal environment conducive to social responsibility can increase the attractiveness of Arab countries as an investment destination, as sustainable and responsible investment by companies is considered an important factor in choosing the environment in which they invest.

In general, we can say that social responsibility legislation and laws constitute an important legal framework for achieving sustainable development and promoting stability and prosperity in Arab countries. His Excellency Professor Youssef Abdel Ghaffar also announced, saying, “In this session of the International Congress for Social Responsibility, we are honored to announce the joining of His Excellency Mr. Samir bin Abdullah Nass to the “International Ambassadors Program for Social Responsibility” and granting His Excellency the “High-Level Honorary Professional Title” that promotes responsible practices. We are honored that this program includes an elite group of Arab and international figures who have adopted the message of this program and have worked during the ten years since its launch in 2014 AD, provided that it has an effective and influential role, whether at the national or international levels, by leading societies and institutions towards working to make “social responsibility and its ethical standards” the compass for business and community initiatives. We are also honored to extend our congratulations today to the personalities who will be honored by the International Congress Awards. For social responsibility.” We hope to God that the outcomes of these activities will “enhance responsible practices in our Arab region and the world.”

Then the President of the International Congress for Social Responsibility, His Excellency Dr. Salah bin Ali Abdul Rahman Al-Barami and the former minister, gave a speech in which he said, “Today, the activities of the fourth session of the activities of the International Congress for Social Responsibility are being held in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This edition comes after a series of successful sessions of the International Congress for Social Responsibility that took place.” It was held in the Moroccan capital, “Rabat,” as well as in the Kyrgyz capital, “Bishkek,” in addition to the Jordanian capital, “Amman.” It is an event through which we seek to promote responsible practices in accordance with a standard methodology and international references based on ethical dimensions. His Excellency also added, “Activities are coming.” “International Congress for Social Responsibility” to express “the importance of legislation and laws enhancing social responsibility applications in Arab countries” through two main events:

1- The Seventh Forum of International Ambassadors for Social Responsibility in 2024.

2- The Second Conference of Social Responsibility Law Jurists for the year 2024 AD.

The experts and speakers will present solid scientific working papers. They are high-level scientific and professional elites, and have a history and responsible practices in the field of social responsibility for many years. In fact, developing legislation and laws related to social responsibility helps in governing and unifying its practices and improving its outcomes and returns. And defining the roles of relevant government agencies in activating them to enhance the performance of companies and civil society organizations towards social responsibility, as well as enhancing their contributions to meeting development priorities by launching specific initiatives that respond to societal needs in accordance with an ethical system. The Regional Network for Social Responsibility has been concerned since its first launch in 2007 m, to promote the concept of “institutionalizing practices and applications of social responsibility” and across its various dimensions. The beginning was its call for there to be a global day for social responsibility and it worked to codify this proposal through communication with the United Nations system and its specialized bodies, including urging countries to develop their legislation and laws related to responsible practices. Through its forums, conferences, and human and institutional capacity building programs, which reached approximately 21 Arab and non-Arab countries. It achieved a major breakthrough in that, and today, after nearly eighteen years of its call, we find that many Arab countries have legal references for their practices in the field of social responsibility. He concluded his speech by saying, “The activities of this scientific forum come to listen together from the experts, specialists, and decision-makers in their institutions.” and their countries about the importance of having an Arab guide to social responsibility practices, to be supportive of the efforts of governmental and legislative bodies in developing their laws related to social responsibility in accordance with the pillars concerned with social, economic and environmental development, as well as promoting the achievement of the 2030 sustainable development goals, in addition to national visions and strategies related to development. In our Arab region.

Then Professor Ibrahim Al-Dakhiri, Director General of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, affiliated with the League of Arab States, presented the speech of the guests of honor, where he announced an Arab initiative on food security, and gave a speech in which he spoke about the role of social responsibility, Arab food security, and the challenges facing achieving Arab food security, especially those related to Including conflicts and crises. He launched the Manama Call to support recovery efforts in the Arab countries affected by conflicts and crises, through which he called on public and private sector institutions, civil society organizations, social responsibility institutions, and Arab, regional and international organizations to contribute effectively to supporting recovery efforts in the Arab countries affected by conflicts and crises and called for developing them. An international initiative to support recovery efforts in which all parties and institutions concerned with sustainable development and food security participate, in order to accelerate recovery efforts and contribute positively to achieving the goals of sustainable development, especially those related to eliminating hunger.

Then the official imitation ceremony began for Samir bin Abdullah Nass, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President of the Union of Arab Chambers, and His Excellency was granted the professional title of “International Ambassador for Social Responsibility” from the Regional Network for Social Responsibility. A number of Arab and international figures, in addition to a number of Arab entities, were also honored with the “International Compliance Award for Social Responsibility Practices for the Year 2024.” Bahraini and Arab entities were also honored with the “Community Giving Award for the year 2024.”

After that, the scientific working sessions began, as part of the activities of the “Seventh International Forum of International Ambassadors for Social Responsibility for the year 2024 AD” as well as the “Second Conference of Jurists in Social Responsibility Law for the year 2024 AD.” Large and high-ranking figures from Arab countries participated in presenting its working papers. Note that the “Social Impact Consulting Foundation” participated in the organization from the Kingdom of Bahrain.

During the event, a “consulting cooperation” agreement was signed between the Hassan Abbas Sharbatly Foundation for Community Service from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Regional Network for Social Responsibility, so that the experts of the Regional Network for Social Responsibility provide a consulting service, according to which the Hassan Abbas Sharbatly Foundation will be qualified to serve… Society to align its work with the “International Standard for Social Responsibility ISO 26000”.

The launch of the “Arab Guidance Guide Project for Social Responsibility Law” was also announced, where a team of experts was formed headed by His Excellency Dr. Salah bin Ali Abdul Rahman, President of the International Congress for Social Responsibility.