Social Sustainability in the Tertiary Education Sector Belinda Allison

Transcription

1 Social Sustainability in the Tertiary Education Sector Belinda Allison ACTS Conference 2012

2 Background Gender Equity Professional Development Employee Categories Equity & Diversity Low SES Indigenous Financial Support Disadvantaged Groups Social Inclusion OHS Grievances Counselling Accessibility Wellbeing Childcare 2

3 From: Sustainable Campus Group report - 3

4 Next Steps ISO Social Impact Assessments UN Global Compact Universal Declaration of Human Rights Universities Internationally Academic Papers Other Organisations Global Reporting Initiative 4

5 Next Steps ISO International Standard Guidance on Social Responsibility Can t be certified Guidance only Environment is part of social responsibility Responsibility for direct influence AND Sphere of influence Fundamental Practices of Social Responsibility Recognising that an organisation has a social responsibility Stakeholder engagement Core Subjects of SR (7) Org l Governance Human Rights Labour Practices The Environment Fair Operating Practices Consumer Issues Community Involvement & Dev t Principles of SR (7) Accountability Transparency Ethical Behaviour Respect for Stakeholder Interests Respect for Law Respect for International Norms of Behaviour Respect for Human Rights 5

6 Core Subjects (below) Australia, Direct, Own Organisation OS, Direct, Own Organisation Organisational Accountability for env tl & social Accountability for env tl & social Governance impacts, stakeholder interests impacts, stakeholder interests (which crosses over into Ethics - (which crosses over into Ethics - environment & stakeholders environment & stakeholders interests) interests) Human Rights Global Compact, Human Rights Global Compact, Human Rights Policies Policies Labour Practices Sessional Staff Minimum wage v s living wage The Environment Accountability for Impacts, Accountability for Impacts, Stakeholder Interests, Ethics Stakeholder Interests, Ethics (with regard to environment & (with regard to environment & stakeholders) stakeholders) Fair Operating Practices Consumer Issues Accountability for environmental Accountability for environmental Community Involvement & Development and social impacts I.E. EfS Stakeholder engagement, education & skills programs, local economic development initiatives, promoting and preserving culture & the arts, creating employment ops and social impacts I.E. EfS Stakeholder engagement, education & skills programs, health programs, local economic development initiatives, promoting and preserving culture & the arts, creating employment ops Sphere of Influence - Global 6

7 Social Impact Assessments As defined in the International Principles of Social Impact Statements 2003, by the International Association for Impact Assessment: Social Impact Assessment includes the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions. Its primary purpose is to bring about a more sustainable and equitable biophysical and human environment. 7

8 SIA - Topics Should come from stakeholder engagement Major impacts must be covered even if difficult to do so Depending on what the SIA is for it could cover: Human rights issues Support of vulnerable groups OHS Liveability Access Investment in local community Pollution, noise, waste Community wellbeing Sources: Vanclay, F (2005) Principles for social impact assessment: A critical comparison between the international and US documents, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Volume 26 pp 3-14; Vanclay, F (2002) Conceptualising social impacts, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Volume 22 pp ; Interorganizational Committee on Guidelines and Principles for Social Impact Assessment (1995), Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Volume 15 pp

9 SIAs might be used for Campus plans, development and infrastructure Investment strategy/policy Procurement strategy/ policy Employment/HR/ personal development strategy University vision/ statement of purpose Establishment of Centres and Institutes Transport strategy/policy Environmental strategy/policy OS campuses and alliances/partnerships Community engagement strategy/policy 9

10 Social Sustainability in the Supply Chain Sustainable procurement is a process whereby organisations meet their needs for goods, works and utilities in a way that achieves value for money on a whole life basis in terms of generating benefits not only to the organisation, but also to society and the economy, whilst minimising damage to the environment. (Procuring the Future, Sustainable Procurement Task Force, 2006, UK) This definition is also used by the Australian Procurement and Construction Council 10

11 Components Strengthens local economy Includes disadvantaged and vulnerable groups Offers employment and training opportunities Promotes diversity in the supply chain Supports Fair Trade Is poverty aware (EAUC initiative) 11

12 Approaches to implementing Set a spend target e.g. Rio Tinto Employ disadvantaged people via stipulations in supplier tender documents e.g. Dept Human Services, Vic Employ a social enterprise directly e.g Telstra Stipulate in tender documents that community benefits must be achieved and give it a weighting, but let potential suppliers suggest what those community benefits might be, e.g. Places Victoria Ensure all suppliers can comply with specified criteria, audit them on this, and work with them to improve performance and reach compliance e.g. Corporate Express Tie it in with accreditation criteria or commitment (such as a RAP) e.g. NAB & Corporate Express 12

13 Socially Responsible Investment Socially responsible investing (SRI), also known as sustainable, socially conscious, "green" or ethical investing, is any investment strategy which seeks to consider both financial return and social good. In general, socially responsible investors encourage corporate practices that promote environmental stewardship, consumer protection, human rights, and diversity. Some avoid businesses involved in alcohol, tobacco, gambling, pornography, weapons, and/or the military. The term "socially responsible investing" sometimes narrowly refers to practices that seek to avoid harm by screening companies included in an investment portfolio. However, the term is also used more broadly to include more proactive practices such as impact investing, shareholder advocacy and community investing. Source: 13

14 Getting Management on Board Begin with a gap analysis and highlight what is done well (students & staff) and what needs attention Using ISO26000, UN Global Compact and other respected and recognised frameworks (especially those of which the institution is already a member) Reframing it to suit management comfort levels responsibility versus sustainability Ability to set targets and measure achievements (e.g. % capex with SIAs, % investment funds in SRIs, procurement spend with social enterprise, SMEs etc Joining programs with accreditation criteria, such as ADE, AIMSC, Fair Trade Using examples of where it has worked well in other organisations Develop a staggered plan for implementation Work with student groups, academics and curriculum 14

15 Summary What we are good at Social Responsibility Principles and Subjects Implementing social responsibility within the sphere of influence by using SIAs Socially sustainable procurement SRIs Developing a package for management 15