Want to change the world? Start in your workplace

Do you think you can help your workplace to sign up to the corporate social responsibility agenda? Is your employer already acting to help people in developing countries?

Prospect is running a survey inviting reps to tell us what’s happening where they work. We also want members' ideas on how to raise awareness of global issues among colleagues, and effect change via their employers.

The survey is part of a programme of activity launched at a seminar in London in March 2007, where dozens of reps from across the UK heard keynote speakers and participated in workshops (you can download a report of the seminar below).

A key message of the seminar, chaired by Prospect president Graeme Henderson, was the extent to which union members have the power to act – as consumers, employers and potentially shareholders in their own companies.

Prospect is planning a number of further activities about CSR, with support from the International Development Learning Fund, a Department for International Development initiative being co-ordinated by the TUC.

Prospect’'s work will focus on environmental issues, labour exploitation, the legal framework of the Company Directors Bill and ethical investments. It takes forward the motion carried at our 2006 biennial delegate conference committing the union to:

• raise members’ awareness of key international development issues and highlight opportunities for involvement
• provide support and guidance for branches to pursue international development aims in the workplace
• develop and promote a model CSR policy, seek implementation by a wide range of Prospect employers
• publicise examples of good practice.

Prospect’'s ultimate aim is to develop and support a network of reps responsible for CSR/international issues at work, along the lines of union learning and equality reps.

Downloadable 'international' resources