EUROPE
Halyps Building Materials S.A.
Member: Silver
Since: 06.07.2006
Since: 06.07.2006
Italcementi Group
17th km. National Road Athens-Corinth, GR-193 00 Aspropyrgos, Athens, Greece
EuroCharity interviews Ms. Pagona Liggou, Corporate Communication Manager, Halyps Building Materials S.A.
16.01.2012
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What does Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mean for your company and what are its CSR priorities?
CSR is a piece of a never-ending "pie". It can be defined in many different ways ending up to the same conclusion, namely that CSR is an integral part of a business's daily operation. What does it mean in simple words... it means doing the right thing.
In everyday practice it means that the actions and activities of a company affect all stakeholders, such as shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, communities, business partners. It also involves proper response.
Italcementi Group subscribes to and supports its key principles of responsibility, integrity, performance, innovation and diversity; the Group uses these principles as guidelines in its daily business operations. The company in Greece is very active in the local community where it operates, supporting for example local sports teams, participating in school activities and reinforcing them either economically or materially, supporting vulnerable groups of the region, etc.
Building relations with local communities starts with understanding their needs, the support of sustainable local programs without creating dependence. It also starts with stakeholders giving advice and with the company's Human Resources being highly appreciated.
What do you think about the development of CSR within Greek enterprises and SMEs in particular?
CSR penetration into Greek enterprises and particularly SMEs constitutes a very significant step and will set the scene for their commitment to economic prosperity both in the developed and developing areas of the world. It also involves the engagement by enterprises as regards minimisation of their impact on the ecosystems and social progress, promoting optimal living conditions in local communities.
It is obvious that CSR policy is not just inscribed in the framework of moral and social values governing every company's activities but constitutes a practical implementation of every company's Corporate Governance. CSR is not a luxury. It is an important tool of development and competitiveness.
How do you evaluate the progress of CSR in Greece?
CSR did not emerge at present, in the last 10 years, but many years ago, maybe in another form, under a different "use". As years went by, with technological developments and radical changes in society, it expanded globally. However, in Greece it did not develop to the extent it should have and would befit it in relation to the country's overall development and CSR development in other countries. There is a long way ahead and unfortunately the current situation is the reason why it lagged behind; there is no visibility to clearly know its future.
The important thing is the CSR development in Greece must be underpinned on the conviction that corporate mindset and mentality shares the view that sustainable, long term good performance and business growth are not possible without care for the human factor and protection of the natural and working environment.
Do you share the view that CSR could be more functional if it was developed through a regulatory framework at a national, European and/or international level?
I believe it could better work through a regulatory framework because the rules and guidelines are useful tools for its development at every level. In this way, every company can incorporate this regulatory framework in the already existing procedures and policies and make it a part of its culture.
What is your opinion on the two popular, daily updated CSR and Green Economy portals (www.eurocharity.gr & www.eurocharity.eu) that EuroCharity owns and operates?
The e-portals of Eurocharity are basic communication tools wherefrom we are being informed and we inform all necessary stakeholders on our actions; we are also being informed on other companies' actions serving at times as reference points for companies where CSR has not adequately penetrated in their strategy or policy.
Why did your company decide to participate in EuroCharity’s growing network of members?
Our decision to participate in the network of Eurocharity members came after research in the field and derived from our need to be members of a network truly promoting CSR as a significant pillar of a company for development, support and information towards companies promoting the true CSR as a diachronic value for decision making not only in relation to financial factors, such as profit and dividends, but also with regard to direct, long term social and environmental impact of their activities, because society's expectations for the role and responsibilities of enterprises change radically.
What is your company's main CSR action?
Our action in the field of CSR is evidenced by many good practices adopted, such as our environmental research programme (high efficiency filters, ongoing monitoring, etc.), tree-planting initiatives, land improvement and rehabilitation actions, sponsorship programs to athletes with special needs and many other activities of social contribution, unveiling daily the human face of Italcementi Group, a Group whose heart beats at the core of society itself where the Group forms an integral part. In conclusion, I would like to stress that we are daily striving to prove our companies' social profile to the local community where our companies operate, proving thus our social responsibility for the benefit of Greek society, and always advocating a human-orientated growth.
CSR is a piece of a never-ending "pie". It can be defined in many different ways ending up to the same conclusion, namely that CSR is an integral part of a business's daily operation. What does it mean in simple words... it means doing the right thing.
In everyday practice it means that the actions and activities of a company affect all stakeholders, such as shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, communities, business partners. It also involves proper response.
Italcementi Group subscribes to and supports its key principles of responsibility, integrity, performance, innovation and diversity; the Group uses these principles as guidelines in its daily business operations. The company in Greece is very active in the local community where it operates, supporting for example local sports teams, participating in school activities and reinforcing them either economically or materially, supporting vulnerable groups of the region, etc.
Building relations with local communities starts with understanding their needs, the support of sustainable local programs without creating dependence. It also starts with stakeholders giving advice and with the company's Human Resources being highly appreciated.
What do you think about the development of CSR within Greek enterprises and SMEs in particular?
CSR penetration into Greek enterprises and particularly SMEs constitutes a very significant step and will set the scene for their commitment to economic prosperity both in the developed and developing areas of the world. It also involves the engagement by enterprises as regards minimisation of their impact on the ecosystems and social progress, promoting optimal living conditions in local communities.
It is obvious that CSR policy is not just inscribed in the framework of moral and social values governing every company's activities but constitutes a practical implementation of every company's Corporate Governance. CSR is not a luxury. It is an important tool of development and competitiveness.
How do you evaluate the progress of CSR in Greece?
CSR did not emerge at present, in the last 10 years, but many years ago, maybe in another form, under a different "use". As years went by, with technological developments and radical changes in society, it expanded globally. However, in Greece it did not develop to the extent it should have and would befit it in relation to the country's overall development and CSR development in other countries. There is a long way ahead and unfortunately the current situation is the reason why it lagged behind; there is no visibility to clearly know its future.
The important thing is the CSR development in Greece must be underpinned on the conviction that corporate mindset and mentality shares the view that sustainable, long term good performance and business growth are not possible without care for the human factor and protection of the natural and working environment.
Do you share the view that CSR could be more functional if it was developed through a regulatory framework at a national, European and/or international level?
I believe it could better work through a regulatory framework because the rules and guidelines are useful tools for its development at every level. In this way, every company can incorporate this regulatory framework in the already existing procedures and policies and make it a part of its culture.
What is your opinion on the two popular, daily updated CSR and Green Economy portals (www.eurocharity.gr & www.eurocharity.eu) that EuroCharity owns and operates?
The e-portals of Eurocharity are basic communication tools wherefrom we are being informed and we inform all necessary stakeholders on our actions; we are also being informed on other companies' actions serving at times as reference points for companies where CSR has not adequately penetrated in their strategy or policy.
Why did your company decide to participate in EuroCharity’s growing network of members?
Our decision to participate in the network of Eurocharity members came after research in the field and derived from our need to be members of a network truly promoting CSR as a significant pillar of a company for development, support and information towards companies promoting the true CSR as a diachronic value for decision making not only in relation to financial factors, such as profit and dividends, but also with regard to direct, long term social and environmental impact of their activities, because society's expectations for the role and responsibilities of enterprises change radically.
What is your company's main CSR action?
Our action in the field of CSR is evidenced by many good practices adopted, such as our environmental research programme (high efficiency filters, ongoing monitoring, etc.), tree-planting initiatives, land improvement and rehabilitation actions, sponsorship programs to athletes with special needs and many other activities of social contribution, unveiling daily the human face of Italcementi Group, a Group whose heart beats at the core of society itself where the Group forms an integral part. In conclusion, I would like to stress that we are daily striving to prove our companies' social profile to the local community where our companies operate, proving thus our social responsibility for the benefit of Greek society, and always advocating a human-orientated growth.
