Social Responsibility

Afghanistan faces entrenched challenges in skills development and decent employment: years of conflict, disrupted education systems, a fragile private sector, and constrained access to markets. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) — when companies intentionally invest resources, expertise, and partnerships to address social needs — can help fill gaps by supporting technical and vocational education and training (TVET), apprenticeships, enterprise development, and market linkages. Effective CSR aligns company interests with local labor market needs and contributes to sustainable livelihoods in communities across provinces and cities.Context and needs: skills, jobs, and local economiesTechnical training in Afghanistan needs to address several key conditions:A strong…

Australia’s mining sector is large, heterogeneous and deeply embedded in regional economies. Over recent decades the industry has shifted from a narrow focus on extraction toward a broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda that foregrounds environmental restoration and sustained community dialogue. This evolution is driven by tighter regulation, investor expectations, civil society scrutiny, and the imperative to secure social licence to operate—particularly where projects intersect with Indigenous lands and sensitive ecosystems.Regulatory and governance foundations that shape CSR effortFederal and state regulatory frameworks: Environmental impact evaluations, the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, and state mining and rehabilitation legislation…

A $25,000 contribution from Hyundai America Technical Center will expand child safety programs in Washtenaw County, helping families access free car seats, helmets and education on pedestrian and bicycle safety. The partnership with University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital reflects a shared commitment to preventing injuries before they happen. Community events and volunteer efforts are expected to grow as a result of the donation.In an effort to bolster injury prevention initiatives for children and families, Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. committed $25,000 to University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, with the contribution directed toward diverse safety…

In South Africa, progress has been tangible, though it remains inconsistent. Ongoing structural constraints, missing data and limited demand still hinder substantial impact.Across the last twenty years, the investment sphere has been reshaped in notable ways, with major institutional investors—from pension funds to insurers and asset managers—gradually extending their attention beyond pure financial performance. More and more, they assess companies not just for earnings potential and expansion opportunities but also for their environmental conduct, social impact and governance practices. As a result, environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors have shifted from being peripheral elements in portfolio strategies to becoming central…

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) lies at a pivotal crossroads of global supply chains, abundant natural resources, and pressing public health demands. The nation provides a substantial portion of key strategic minerals — especially cobalt, for which it delivers about 60–70% of worldwide output — while simultaneously facing entrenched health challenges, including endemic malaria, recurrent outbreaks such as Ebola and measles, and deficiencies in maternal and child care, water and sanitation systems, and basic healthcare access. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that integrate supply-chain accountability with targeted community health support can mitigate risks, bolster local resilience, and help…

The International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety opens a new chapter with the selection of its 2026 Board officers, strengthening its worldwide dedication to promoting animal‑free innovations in cosmetics safety science amid swift regulatory and scientific evolution.The International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) has finalized its 2026 Board officers following elections conducted during the organization’s December 2025 Board meeting, marking a key step for this relatively young global initiative as it strengthens its role in advancing scientifically rigorous, human-relevant alternatives to animal testing in cosmetics safety evaluation. The newly appointed leadership highlights both consistency and the organization’s increasing maturity, building on…

The healthcare sector continues to search for ways to improve operational efficiency while reducing environmental impact. A new growth investment positions Turbett Surgical to expand a technology designed to modernize surgical instrument sterilization and address long-standing inefficiencies in operating rooms and sterile processing departments.Turbett Surgical, a U.S.-based medical device firm dedicated to enhancing workflow efficiency in operating rooms (ORs) and sterile processing departments (SPDs), has revealed a major recapitalization paired with a growth-focused investment from J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital. This deal marks a defining moment for the company, as it constitutes its first institutional funding and equips it…

Estonia is widely recognized as a digital society with deep public-private collaboration. After the 2007 cyber attacks that targeted government and private infrastructure, the country accelerated both national cyber strategy and cooperative efforts with industry. Tech companies in Estonia now play an active corporate social responsibility (CSR) role: investing in cybersecurity education, expanding digital access, and supporting equitable participation across age groups, regions, and economic backgrounds. This article examines how Estonian tech CSR works in practice, highlights concrete examples and measurable outcomes, and offers practical lessons transferable to other countries.Context: why CSR matters in Estonia’s digital ecosystemEstonia is a small,…

Chile’s economic model has historically relied on extractive industries, agriculture, fishing, and export‑oriented manufacturing, sectors that have powered growth while concentrating environmental and social pressures in particular areas. Consequently, corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Chile is not a peripheral marketing tool but a strategic requirement that influences social license, investor confidence, and local development. In recent years, rising public expectations for transparency and genuine community involvement in territorial initiatives have pushed CSR to evolve from simple philanthropy toward governance, disclosure, and collaborative design.Regulatory and institutional forces promoting greater transparencyA range of public pressures encourages companies to embrace greater transparency and…

As ecosystems face unprecedented pressure, recognizing individuals who drive meaningful change has become essential to sustaining life on Earth. The MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity highlights those efforts and amplifies their impact worldwide.The global community continues to seek effective ways to halt and reverse biodiversity loss while addressing interconnected challenges such as climate change, food security, and human well-being. Within this context, international recognition initiatives play a crucial role in elevating successful approaches, sharing knowledge, and inspiring action across sectors and borders. One such initiative is the MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity, an international award dedicated to honoring individuals whose work has…