More CSR Monitoring, Governance needed for Qatari business says Vodafone ahead of CSR Qatar summit next week

Companies in Qatar must harness their core business for positive change, Silver Sponsor of CSR Qatar Summit says

Doha, Qatar, 20 November, 2013: While a comprehensive approach, addressing both social investment and sustainability within fully integrated CSR goals, has been the key to positive community contributions for Vodafone Qatar, there is more to be done, says its head of CSR, Dana Haidan.

In anticipation of the launch of CSR Qatar Summit 2013 next week, where Vodafone Qatar is a Silver Sponsor, Haidan shares her hopes for the future of corporate social responsibility in the State: “Over the next few years I'd love to see businesses move beyond published reports that just tick the boxes and really focus on implementing better CSR policies that realise the value of monitoring and strengthen the structure of governance.”

Haidan has been instrumental in solidifying corporate social responsibility as a strong company position for Vodafone Qatar by ensuring CSR goals were integrated into annual business planning – and specially designated committees from across the company were accountable.
However, despite the progress many companies have made, she recognises that many businesses in Qatar still have a long way to go, as does the industry itself.

Haidan notes, “When the CSR Qatar Summit was announced as a forum for discussion of trends, challenges and opportunities to collaborate, I knew there would be a hunger in the market for this kind of platform.”
“With the annual CSR UAE Summit passing its decade milestone this year, the time was right for a platform that addresses the unique CSR landscape in Qatar and its dramatic improvements over the last few years,” claims Divisional Director for IIRME and event organiser , Sally Corander.

Haidan agrees, “A few years ago, the industry was focused on defining and understanding CSR, and it's evolved a lot since then. However, quantifying impact is something that many companies struggle with because the investment is measured in social return.”

Haidan will take the stage during the CSR Qatar Summit 2013, being held 24 – 25 at Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel, to discuss how mobile technology can transform emerging markets and to encourage companies in the State to consider how their core business can be harnessed to transform the community and affect a positive social change.

Vodafone Qatar's sustainability success took advantage of what was once seen as a problem. In a market where many consumers have more than one phone, and change them regularly to keep up with trends, Vodafone Qatar saw an opportunity to drive a program to recycle and repurpose phones.

Complementing sustainability, social investment programs have also seen fantastic results. Vodafone Qatar's World of Difference program, established in 2010, supports social entrepreneurs in their contributions to the community. Haidan highlights one of the success stories to emerge from the program: “A 15-year veteran of adaptive scuba diving and social entrepreneur saw the need for an aquatic program that met the needs of those with disabilities. As one of our 2012 winners, local audiences are now able to benefit from her hugely successful program.”