July 29, 2008
Corporate Social Responsibility here has just gotten a great big push from the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica. The PSOJ is asking business to support six programmes that are likely to make a discernible difference. The initiative is titled Imagine Jamaica.
The programmes were presented to PSOJ members using a multi media documentary produced by Panmedia. PSOJ asked its members to elevate their CSR through Imagine Jamaica to help national development and ensure business success.
The programmes are as follows:
Youth Leadership
The PSOJ Mentorship and Youth Leadership Project trains future leaders in life and leadership skills in workshop settings and links them to mentors from PSOJ member companies.
Offered in schools and communities, the project teaches them to contribute to their communities and the nation. Companies can support the training sessions and encourage their staff to volunteer as mentors.
Reading…The Bottom Line
Reading…the Bottom Line links reading closely with career success. PSOJ members visit classrooms to read to students and inspire them to read for enjoyment and academic success. Companies may support the project through book drives and sponsoring Ministry of Education age appropriate books.
Strengthening School Governance
Strengthening School Governance is an initiative where the National Council on Education and PSOJ helps selected inner city school boards to govern effectively. It will strengthen school boards with Open Distance Learning resources, identify and recruit qualified PSOJ members to serve on them, and support their training.
The project seeks better school administration and improved educational standards and levels of outputs.
UNDP Co-Financing
The United Nations and PSOJ partner in the Jamaica Development Co-financing Facility to jointly fund key development projects. One of these is the Jamaica Sustainable Peace and Development Project, which supports community safety, reduction of armed violence and drafting of national policies.
This program helps people on both sides of the law, including Justice institutions and at-risk youths. It also seeks to reduce crime and employ more effective crime prevention techniques.
AD COUNCIL
The Ad Council of Jamaica seeks positive social change through multi-media messages sponsored by the private sector. The Council promotes these messages and encourages volunteerism from society’s more fortunate.
The messages aim to bring positive attitudes and behaviour that become the cultural norm.
PSOJ COMMITTEES
PSOJ carries out its mission through the active involvement
of members in five committees that seek to strengthen national governance and improve the business environment:
The Economic Policy Committee informs the private sector about government economic development policy. It helps frame policy that favours business sector expansion, and articulates PSOJ’s position on interest rates and tax administration.
The Corporate Governance Committee brings governance standards to public and private companies and offers training in those standards for directors.
The Education Committee seeks an effective education system that optimizes the potential of young Jamaicans and help them become productive citizens.
The Justice Reform Committee focuses Jamaican business on the urgent need to overhaul the justice system to benefit investment in Jamaica.
The Trade Policy Committee brings a greater understanding of trade issues to PSOJ members and sets the private sector’s position on regional and international trade.