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CSR Symposium 2006
27th February 2006
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
The event at the BT Tower in London - drew together around 45 representatives from top suppliers, along with BT buyers with a particular interest in CSR
The aim was to share best practice on CSR and to let suppliers know what BT is doing in that area - and how they can help. The day focused on labour standards across the world, the environment and supplier diversity.
Liz Cross of BT Procurement & Supply Chain said: 'It was a highly successful and thought-provoking event, attended by people ranging from 21st century network suppliers to those who work with our contact centres and suppliers who have a particular interest in CSR from an environmental or labour standards perspective.'
External speakers at the event included Lord Bill Brett, the director of the International Labour Office London, who gave a broad external perspective on labour standards.
Environmentalist, Jonathon Porritt spoke about initiatives happening around the world in terms of carbon capture, and cities which are adopting CO2 standards when their countries have not done so.
Rosey Hurst of Impactt gave an insight into how important it is to look below the surface when working with suppliers in emerging markets, and how companies, by working with their supply chain, can improve conditions for workers in low cost labour countries.
Internal speakers also addressed the audience and the day was closed by Meryl Bushell, BT's CSR champion, who outlined BT's view on the future challenges of CSR and its impact.
Feedback to the event has been extremely positive and BT is planning to follow up with the suppliers to discuss any initiatives or ideas in their companies that they share with us.
