CSR in Silicon Savannah

In every aspect, my temporary stay in Kenya feels just like a safari: adventurous, enriching, stimulating and liberating. And all while, I for the second time in a relatively short time, living in Nairobi. But unlike in 2008-2009, there is now an energy, progress, pride and entrepreneurship in the air. What will this bring Vonk Communicatie?

Why Kenya and why temporarily?

The desire to extend our family was very much at the heart of it. So much that we packed up our stuff and moved to Kenya! One of the requirements of the Kenyan adoption procedure is to stay in the country for minimal 6 months. The care that underlies this process spoke to us! Despite all of that, it’s quite an undertaking. For our personal story, I’d like to direct you to our private blog samuelcaleb.waarbenjij.nu.

Entrepreneurship from Kenya

Besides being a mom, I’m an entrepreneur. It’s in my blood and doesn’t change because of our second son. Thanks to the good co-operation with my husband, there is space & time to work with Vonk Communicatie from Kenya. Firstly, to support my fine clientele from Kenya and whilst I’m here, I’d really love to connect Dutch and Kenyan organisations. Preferably focused on sustainable and innovative* practices. After all, my drive to provide organisations with workable CSR concepts doesn’t stop at the Dutch boarder.

What is the status of CSR in Kenya?

Four years ago, people here looked at me blankly when I asked them about CSR (with exception to the Agro sector). One of the little (far-fetched) examples I ran into at that time, was a knitting club organised as a co-operation. The women bought used woollen sweaters at a second-hand market. Subsequently, they re-used the sweaters knitting higher priced ‘fairtrade’ novelty toys for cats exported to the USA market.

Nowadays a number of Dutch, Indian and Kenyan organisations strive for CSR. During an exploration conversation with the Royal Dutch Embassy, I learnt that CSR here, in particular means responsibility in the chain, focused on requirements from customers or certification. A necessary ‘evil’ being to have the ability to export and hold a certificate that costs a lot of money and time. And mostly seen as Western Innovation.

On the other hand, it’s very common for the Kenyan corporate sector to contribute to communities in a charitable sense or environmental issues, such as awareness of water usage or waste disposal.

CSR Work Place Programme and ISO26000***

After my visit to the Royal Dutch Embassy, I’ve been approached to contribute to a pilot CSR Work Place Programme. Already more than 10 years a proven concept in the Netherlands and now ready for a flying kick-start in Kenya. We will start with 4 organisations in different sectors. My contribution exists out of analysing the programme and finding connection to ISO26000. It would be great if participating organisations could do both - killing 2 birds with one stone! 

Possible start of CSR Kenya?

The official launch of CSR Work Place Programme is planned for Q2-2013. And why not the start of CSR Kenya?! In ‘Silicon Savannah’ where growth, innovation and self consiousness are increasing, an inspiring, information sharing network such as ‘MVO Nederland’ is what is needed!

My thought path leads me to creating a small group of spirited people with the same aim in mind; namely making business management more sustainable from a positive point of view and an ‘Afri-can-do’ mentality. Think of the impact of this platform/network in such a big country as Kenya where entrepreneurship is booming…

So, I’m investigating if organisations are in need of such a network and I’m identifying possible partners to make CSR Kenya a realisation.

#DTA****

Of course, I’m unable to do this on my own. Therefore, an invitation to all who read this blog and share my intention:

-    Do you know organisations in Kenya that might be interested in ‘CSR Kenya’? Please send me their contact details.
-    Can you recommend a Kenyan organisation that absolutely must join ‘CSR Kenya’ to help make it a success? Their contact details are also more that welcome!
-    Do you know of any relevant research material or websites? Please send me the links
-    Do you see a role for yourself to help contribute to getting this off the ground?
For further information/suggestions, please contact me via Skype (VonkCom) or mail info@vonkcommunicatie.nl

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* ‘Silicon Savannah’; because of the technical innovations, mainly in Mobile Technology, such as M-PESA, pay by mobile, Kenya is called the sister of ‘Sicilon Valley’. At this very moment, a 4G network is being installed in the whole country. No other country in Europe is this far as Kenya in this field. In 2010 $ 360 m has been exported on technology related services (source: The Economist, article ‘ Innovation in Africa’).

** CSR = corporate social responsibility

*** ISO26000
"This International Standard is not a management system standard. It is not intended or appropriate for certification purposes or regulatory or contractual use. Any offer to certify, or claims to be certified, to ISO 26000 would be a misrepresentation of the intent and purpose and a misuse of this International Standard. As this International Standard does not contain requirements, any such certification would not be a demonstration of conformity with this International Standard." This statement includes that ISO 26000 cannot be used as basis for audits, conformity tests and certificates, or for any other kind of compliance statements.

However, the practical value of ISO 26000 might be limited if it merely provided a common understanding of social responsibility instead of also facilitating management routines and practices leading to social responsibility. Despite the non-certifiability some scholars see distinct elements of a management system standard also in ISO 26000.[1] Against this background, the potential benefits of the new standard, the managerial relevance, and specific limitations of ISO 26000 are currently being discussed.[2]

As a guidance document the ISO 26000 is an offer, voluntary in use, and encourages organizations to discuss their social responsibility issues and possible actions with relevant stakeholders. As service providers, certification bodies do not belong to an organization’s stakeholders. ISO 26000 encourages to reconsider an organization's social responsibility or "socially responsible behaviour" and to identify/select from its recommendations those where the organization could/should engage in contributions to society. ISO 26000 encourages further to report on actions taken.