Ladies and gentlemen,
With today’s seminar on Corporate Social Responsibility, Swedish companies, the Swedish Trade Council, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Save the Children Sweden and the Embassy of Sweden illustrates one commitment to enhance economic growth, promote human rights, protect the environment and cooperate for sustainable development in Kenya.
This commitment, and the action that many participants in this seminar are already carrying out, reflect the importance that Sweden attaches to corporate social responsibility in Government policies, business practice and international relations. With today’s common challenges, such as the rapid evolution of globalisation, climate change and economic crisis, a sustained international response is required. Common solutions are needed which can balance economic imperatives with the realisation of universal human rights. This can only be achieved through active participation of all stakeholders. Corporate Social Responsibility articulates the role of business, in dialogue with trade unions, the wider civil society and authorities.
A week ago the Government of Sweden decided on a new policy for economic growth as an integral part of Sweden’s development cooperation. A Council for Business and Development was established. The Council will assist the Government with advise on how the experience, competence and resources of Swedish business and industry can contribute to Sweden’s policy for global development. By doing this, the Government initiates a much closer interaction with business on international development.
During the Swedish EU Presidency in 2009, Sweden brought the concept of CSR forward in the European Union. A successful conference was held in Stockholm in November. Focus was on the role of governments with regard to business and human rights within the UN framework 'Protect, Respect, Remedy'.
This brings us back to Nairobi. Policy has to be implemented in order to create change. Deputy Trade Minister Gunnar Wieslander visited Nairobi last year and led a seminar on CSR, which is followed-up in today’s seminar organised by the Swedish Trade Council. I especially welcome that managers of Swedish business interests in Kenya have called upon the Swedish Trade Council to promote further efforts on CSR.
The very positive response is obvious: we have high-level participation through Mr Ulf Berg, CEO of the Swedish Trade Council, Mr Anders Nordström, Head and Director-General of Sida, Ms Elisabeth Dahlin, Secretary-General of Save the Children Sweden, all who have travelled here from Stockholm. And we have a impressive number of companies related to Sweden participating, as well as representatives of non-governmental organisations.
Swedish companies have a clear comparative advantage on CSR. I am convinced that this seminar can give further input to efforts here in Kenya, where some 50 companies related to Sweden have operations. Efforts by these companies can improve the livelihood of individuals, strengthen the respect for human rights, fight corruption and last but not least encourage reforms. In this way, business prevent anxiety of globalisation by showing responsibility for the development of society.
With these remarks, I hereby declare the seminar “Swedish Efforts for Corporate Social Responsibility in Kenya” open.
Thank you.