LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL GOOD PROPOSING AN ANALOGY M.J. (Mimi)Marrocco, PhD University of St. Michaels College Presentation at UALL March 2012.

LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL GOOD

PROPOSING AN ANALOGY

M.J. (Mimi)Marrocco, PhDUniversity of St. Michael’s College

Presentation at UALLMarch 2012

PROPOSITION:

Continuing education:the university

::social responsibility:the

corporation

CSR IS…

The way in which a company addresses the needs of all its stakeholders today without compromising the needs of

future generations

Definitions of CSR

“A concept whereby organizations consider the interests of customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders, communities and other stakeholders, as well as the environment….beyond statutory requirements.”

Wikipedia “A company’s commitment to operating in an economically socially

and environmentally sustainable manner while recognizing the interests of its stakeholders”………

Canadian Business for Social Responsibility

“Companies deciding voluntarily to contribute to a better society and a cleaner environment.”

Commission of the European Union

“I got into the field with precious little knowledge of what it was all about. It appeared to involve a great deal of work with other people, in both the (organization) and the broader community, as well as generally being among the forces for good in our society. I think I also glimpsed from the outset that it involved ‘working with people when they are at their best’”.

Gordon Selman

Redefining Corporate Purpose“The purpose of the corporation is to harness private

interests in service to the public interest.” “...challenges to the prevailing view that corporate

purpose is, first and foremost, about shareholder enrichment.”

Allen R. White, Corporation 2020

Emergent alliance of the willing

– corporations – civil society organizations – Governments }

Continuing Education is the means whereby the University enables adults to participate in a variety of learning opportunities.

“Community-University Engagement is an important trend in higher education in which Continuing Education has much to offer and much to gain.”

Walter Archer, University of Alberta

Continuing Education and the Public Good

Previous discussions at:

• The Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE)

• Bud Hall – 2008

• The Cue Factor

Ideology

CSR is: a way of re-imagining the corporation to include the creation of shared value

Continuing education is: a way of re-imagining the Idea of a University premised on the creation of shared value

More Town Less Gown

• Outreach & engagement

• Service learning• Flexible course

delivery (including modular and distance)

• On campus daycare • Green initiatives

• Community Investment

• Employee Volunteerism

• Flexible working hours

• On-site daycare • Green initiatives

Who Are the Stakeholders?

• Customers• Employees• Shareholders• Regulators• Professional

Associations• Media

CSR involves genuine consultation with:

• NGOs and Not for Profits

• Activists and advocates

• Communities• Elected officials• The public

Comparing Structure of CSR and CE

Centralized? De-Centralized?

A model for your consideration

Build Vision and

Support for CSR:

A Critical Success Factor

Examine Current

CSR Systems:

An Internal Assessment

Implement CSR

Management Systems:

Long-term integration

Design a CSR Structure: 9 Essential Steps

CSR Management-System

Step 1

Build Vision and Support for CSR

• a Critical Success Factor

• Influence and educate various internal stakeholders with the goal of creating a broad base of support for CSR throughout the organization.

Step 2

Examine Current CSR Systems

• An internal Assessment

• Look at the whole picture – what CSR policies, programs and structures are already in place and where are the “gaps”

Step 3

Implement CSR Management Systems

• Long-term integration

• Embed the components of a CSR management system in to processes and programs throughout the organization

9 Steps for Designing a CSR Structure

1. Understand drivers2. Identify key CSR issues3. Identify and Evaluate Stakeholders4. Identify functions that support CSR efforts5. Analyze company systems, culture and any impending

changes6. Evaluate structural options7. Develop a staffing plan8. Create structure for cross-functional interaction9. Assess process and framework for budget and resource

allocation

IF:Continuing education:the

university::

social responsibility:the corporation

So What?

“Can corporate responsibility survive tough economic times?………My answer is is a resounding “yes”. Because corporate responsibility isn’t only about how a company spends its money; its about how it makes its money. The only way a company can survive tough economic times is by managing its financial social and environmental performance, and paying attention to all three.”

Gord Nixon, CEO, RBC