Social Responsibility
Do you worry about how your actions affect the world? Do you want to be a more conscientious citizen? Do you want to have a positive impact on others in the community? You are attempting to be socially responsible by thinking about and acting on these questions.
What is social responsibility?
Social responsibility is working to ensure that we benefit the society and the world through our actions. Today, many companies insist on a corporate social responsibility policy and a dedicated team to work on it.
How to be socially responsible
To be socially responsible, your actions need to benefit the whole society. We cannot only focus on earning a profit. We must make sure that our fellow citizens are cared for and that our actions do not harm them. This includes not just humans but also the natural environment. Companies have been asked to negate the bad effects they have on the environment by reducing their carbon footprint. Many companies with factories that emit polluted air or water to the environment have stepped forward to do so with novel ideas.
However, it is also possible to be socially responsible on a less grand scheme. Your company probably has a CSR programme. That is a corporate social responsibility programme that works to help those in need of help. Many donate items such as books, clothes, shoes, etc. to those living in poverty. Some organisations clean the beach and rid it of the matter left behind by visitors.
Individuals can also be socially responsible. They can volunteer their time, money, or energy for a social cause they care about. This is why many young people travel the world looking to work in other countries that need their help. You too could get involved in your own community and country and do what you can, whether it is building a community hall or donating blood, to make someone’s life better.
Elements of social responsibility
- You can be socially responsible through philanthropy (charity for a good cause, especially through generous donation of money), environment conservation, diversity and labour practices, and volunteerism.
- To be socially responsible, identify a social mission you are passionate about and create a plan on what needs to be done by when.
- These plans should have goals that can be easily attained.
- Then you should look for resources that can make the process easier. If it is only a private project, which of your resources would you give? Would you give your time, your money, or your energy? If it is a project by a company, then choose a good team to work on the project. Let them propose good ideas and discuss them till they reach a consensus on the project.
- You could also work with other companies or individuals that have similar ideas.
In our interactions, we need to be mindful of our impact on others in society, and we should try to always offset any negative effects.
