Enterprise 2020 Manifesto sets bold priorities for the corporate social responsibility movement in Europe
In response to the urgent need to address unemployment, climate change and demographic changes in Europe, the corporate social responsibility movement has developed the Enterprise 2020 Manifesto for action.
The movement, brought together by CSR Europe, the European business network for corporate social responsibility, already includes more than 40 national corporate social responsibility associations and over 10,000 companies across Europe.
The Enterprise 2020 Manifesto calls on businesses and governments to work together to take action on three strategic priorities during the five years leading up to 2020:
- Make employability and inclusion a priority across boards, management and value chains.
- Stimulate companies to engage as committed partners with communities, cities and regions to develop and implement new sustainable production methods, consumption and livelihoods.
- Put transparency and respect for human rights at the heart of business conduct.
The Manifesto is the corporate social responsibility movement’s response to the challenges set by the European Commission in the Europe 2020 strategy that calls for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Viscount Etienne Davignon, President of CSR Europe and former Vice President of the European Commission, describes the role of the Manifesto: “In over 50 years in government and business, this is one of the most ambitious initiatives to address the future of Europe through practical business-led solutions that I have witnessed. Please join us!”
The Manifesto was launched by Business in the Community Ireland and CSR Europe’s other National Partner Organisation members at the Last Call to Europe 2020 Conference at the Milan Expo on June 19, 2015.
The progress of European businesses towards achieving the Manifesto’s priorities will be tracked over the coming five years via CSR Europe’s online ‘Business Impact Maps’ which will highlight hundreds of initiatives from across Europe.
CSR Europe is calling on governments and businesses, small and large, across Europe to get on board and take action through their own initiatives.
Enterprise 2020 is the European corporate social responsibility movement’s initiative to encourage businesses to contribute to achieving the Europe 2020 goals by delivering high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion.
CSR Europe is the leading European business network for corporate social responsibility (CSR), comprised of more than 40 national corporate social responsibility associations that work with more than 10,000 companies across Europe, and over 60 multinational companies.
The Manifesto and more information on the enterprise 2020 initiative can be found on CSR Europe’s website: www.csreurope.org
