“This is a superior culture that emanates from our human, religious and national values,” Prince Faisal said while opening a three-day exhibition on social responsibility at Four Seasons.
Prince Faisal, who is chairman of the Social Responsibility Council in Riyadh, commended the participating companies. “I am very happy to say that this nascent culture is spreading in the Kingdom through a variety of initiatives,” he added.
He said such programs would strengthen the private sector’s role as partner of state agencies in achieving comprehensive development.
“The formation of social responsibility councils in Riyadh and other provinces as well as the setting up of similar panels by civilian organizations in the field can be considered important steps in the right direction,” the SRMG chief said.
He called for joint efforts by various sectors and agencies including the media to spread the social responsibility culture. He urged the government to facilitate social responsibility programs by softening regulations and providing incentives.
Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, chairman of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the large participation of private companies in the exhibition reflected the maturity of the Saudi private sector, which has reached the stage of giving to the nation.
He commended the pioneering role of the Social Responsibility Council in Riyadh under the leadership of Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman in deepening this promising culture by extending all necessary support.
Abdullah Al-Muqairen, deputy chairman of the Social Responsibility Council in Riyadh, said a number of workshops and lectures will be held on the sidelines of the exhibition with the participation of experts from inside and outside the Kingdom.
“This exhibition will be a window on the social responsibility programs of national companies,” Al-Muqairen said, adding that the lectures and workshops would discuss how to implement sustainable development programs.
Mag. Martin Neureiter, founder and CEO of the CSR Company, a consultancy specializing in Corporate Social Responsibility with offices around the world addressed the opening session.
Twenty prominent speakers will give lectures on Monday and Tuesday on the sidelines of the exhibition. The first lecture session will be chaired by Hussein Al-Adl, secretary-general of RCCI, when Neureiter speaks on “The effect of social responsibility programs on companies.”
Askar Al-Harithy, secretary-general of the Social Responsibility Council in Riyadh, will give a presentation on the challenges being faced by his organization.
In another session, Nawaf Al-Shaalani will speak on the social responsibility of Saudi Telecom, while Mahmoud Al-Turkistani of NCB will highlight his bank’s efforts in the field.
