Social Responsibility - A Business Imperative for the 21st Century

The Social Responsibility (SR) Programme at the 20th World Petroleum Congress (WPC) will explore the theme of “Promoting Human Development through Innovative Social Responsibility Programmes”. This theme was selected in recognition of the important role that the petroleum industry can, and does, play in promoting the economic and social progress of communities in which they operate.

“Social Responsibility must be, more than ever before, an intrinsic part of the business model of any company that seeks long term growth and profitability. This is particularly applicable in the energy sector, which impacts stakeholders at all levels, from small communities where operations are conducted to social and economic development across continents,” says Renato Bertani, V.P. Programme, WPC Executive Committee.  “At the 20th WPC one of our main goals will be to disseminate best SR practices, improve dialogue between industry, governments and society, and help to communicate the huge progress that has been made by the industry in conducting responsible business."

Key to achieving this goal will be the Social Responsibility ‘Global Village’ (SRGV) within the Congress Exhibition – located at stand no. 4201 in Hall 4. The Global Village will showcase twelve world class projects that highlight the partnership contributions of NGOs, communities and the petroleum industry in advancing human development at the local level.  In addition to being an interactive exhibit designed to increase awareness of socially responsible initiatives, each of the participants will expand on their particular topic in greater detail through daily presentations in the SR auditorium.

We would like to congratulate the 12 projects that qualified to be part of the SRGV stand during the 20th WPC.  These 12 projects were competing with 35 world class projects to fill the 12 spots. Here is a list of participating projects in alphabetical order:

1. CAWST: Water and sanitation for all, empowering people globally
2. Chevron: University partnership program (UPP) active in key areas of Chevron operations
3. Ecopetrol Colombia: Participates in the development of the country in a context of co-responsibility and respect for human rights
4. ExxonMobil: Women’s economic opportunity initiative
5. Golder Associates: African communities benefit from employee based charity
6. Hunt Oil: Programme focuses on health, education and capacity building for local government in Peru
7. Maersk Oil: Time for arts project to promote cultural workshops in Brazil municipal public schools
8. Oil India Limited (OIL): Project Rupantar creates sustainable self employment through self help groups in OIL’s operational Areas in India
9. Pacific Rubiales Energy: Generation of sustainable projects in a frontier and resource deprived region in rural Colombia
10. Sasol: Corporate social investment (CSI) projects with focus on job creation, health, education and community infrastructure in Mozambique
11. Shell: Promote a positive image of science and technology in regional and remote areas to encourage young people to pursue careers in science and technology in Australia.
12. TengizChevrOil LLP: Supports Eurasia Foundation for Central Asia (EFCA) projects in local community development and youth engagement and empowerment in central Asia

The schedule of presentations which will be held in the Auditorium of the SRGV during the 20th WPC is as follows: