Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs should be part and parcel of the overall corporate values, vision, and mission, said Princess Al-Bandari Abdulrahman Al-Faisal, director general of King Khalid Foundation, in response to the Third CSR Summit, scheduled to be held at Jeddah Hilton on Dec. 1-3. The event will be attended by various government agencies, NGOs, and businesses, who are to be judged by well-known Saudi host Ahmad Al Shugairi, whose programs focus on developing young people's skills. "CSR is increasingly becoming a must-do for corporations in KSA. There is a great need for increased education and awareness of the effective strategic CSR efforts. Supportive government legislation to encourage and facilitate good corporate CSR (is needed)," she said, stressing that focus should be made on CSR programs that have social impact. Princess Al-Bandari called for the full participation of women in the community and workplace as women represent more than half of Saudi university graduates. "Their potentials should be tapped and they should be fully integrated into economy through sustainable CSR programs targeting this important segment of society." Kindah Sais, talent development, diversity & inclusion leader, Procter and Gamble, said: "Sustainability has always been at the heart of our operations in the Kingdom." "We focus our efforts on preserving natural resources by reducing our environmental footprint, parenting with leading organizations to solve environmental and social challenges, and pioneering breakthrough sustainable ideas to serve consumers. This coupled with our belief in diversity and inclusion ensures that all of our employees are valued, all of our employees are included, and all of our employees are performing at their peak. We are looking forward to share our sustainability journey in Saudi Arabia at the Saudi CSR Summit," she added. Amr Khashogji, vice president, Al-Zahid Group, said the group believes that CSR "goes beyond setting up a department to drive initiatives that are glamorous. It means putting our employees and the entire public on the top of our priority list. It has become a way of life for us, not just a moment in the limelight." Adnan Mandoura, secretary general of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), which is the supporting partner for the event for the second consecutive year, said the chamber set up the CSR initiative long time ago and even set up a CSR Department. "We have always called upon companies to implement initiatives that will develop both society and individuals." For the third year running, Al-Zahid Group will be the headline sponsor of the event. Other companies supporting the event are Construction Products Holding (Platinum Sponsor), P&G (Gold Sponsor), Sanofi (Official Healthcare Sponsor), BAE Systems (Silver Sponsor), Talent S (Associate Sponsor) and Microsoft (Technology Sponsor) and Al Iqraa channel, Al Eqtisadiyah channel (Media partners) — SG
