Corruption: killing philanthropy in Asia?
There has been a lot of talk about corruption and lack of transparency in the media lately.
Human Rights: A no-go zone for corporates?
In most corporate boardrooms, if you suggest focusing on human rights as a community investment strategy don’t be surprised if you are met with deathly silence or an uncomfortable shuffling of papers. But if you push the common path of education, the environment and youth you will most likely have instant buy-in. Read More…
REMINDER: It’s not just about giving money
The squandering of $3.2 million as part of Madonna’s charity project in Malawi is another reminder that money alone is not the answer to lifting people out of poverty. Read More…
Work in Progress – HandsOn Shanghai
This week’s WIP (Work in Progress) is inspired by China’s bitterly cold winter. I am currently in Beijing for a month doing an intensive Chinese course and it is FREEZING.
Why I can start buying Cadbury’s again
Last week I was wandering the aisles of the local supermarket in Shanghai and came across a packet of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Fair Trade buttons. I followed up this discovery with some further research into Cadbury’s Fair Trade and CSR initiatives. What I found was impressive and here are three reasons why I am now a reformed Cadbury Dairy Milk customer: Read More…
A peek at green consumerism in China
Over the weekend I managed to visit the Eco Design Fair at Jiashan Market in Shanghai. It was, as expected, a fair full of the usual organic eco-products. Handmade beanies, bamboo baby forks, organic honey etc. etc. I couldn’t help but be slightly disappointed at the standard of the stalls, but was relieved when I finally found what I had come to see. Read More…
Does big business have the patience?
A friend recently shared with me the TEDx speech by Melinda French Gates: What non-profits can learn from Coca-Cola (watch below). But does big business have the patience to practice what they preach when it comes to corporate social responsibility? Read More…
The Green in… Michael Perry
My names Michael Perry, I have been back and forward to Indonesia for 3 years, working in the furniture industry. Here’s a story of a grassroots NGO I’m associated with called Trees4Trees™ who work with communities to provide sustainable livelihoods while fighting deforestation one tree at a time. Read More…
There’s a bit of green in us all – Intro
An introduction to a brand new series of posts by friends, new & old, who are working to change the world on a daily basis.
China and CSR in the West – Things are different there
Often when we think about CSR and China an image of big Western multinationals and sweatshops come to mind. But as the Chinese economy develops and foreign direct investment (FDI) out of China increases we start to see the flipside of the CSR coin. How will Chinese companies navigate the rules of engagement when it comes to CSR in the West? Read More…