JASTECA CSR Awards
View(s):The Japan-Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association (JASTECA) recently presented the amended Guidelines & Best practices in preparation for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards competition to be announced in July 2014.
JASTECA, launched the CSR Awards alongside its 5S and Kaizen initiatives to encourage businesses and other organisations to have a CSR policy along with embedded effective structures, systems, processes and commitments.
President of JASTECA, Athulla R.E. Edirisinghe at a press and media briefing held recently said JASTECA was privileged to have the guidance of an eminent panel of judges, comprising Chandra Jayaratne, Lal Nanayakkara and Professor Lakshman Watawala. He added that they were grateful to chairperson, Mr. Jayaratne for his valuable inputs to fine tune the CSR Awards Assessment Guidelines and Best practices, that would be incorporated in the 2014 CSR Awards competition guidelines.
According to the guidelines presented by JASTECA, the CSR policy must define areas of concern and initiatives to improve relations with the people and environments affected by business operations and must go beyond stakeholder and statutory obligations, in order to fulfill the aspirations towards the triple bottom line [i.e. commitments to society, the economy and the environment], in a sustainable manner. The core values of such business and organisations, whilst vigorously pursued to maximise shareholder value, should lead to honouring ethical values and respecting people, communities and the natural environment in their every day operations.
JASTECA, since its inception in 1984, has trained 3500 Sri Lankan Managers and executives in Japan on scholarships offered with the financial support of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industries, through the funds secured by HIDA (Overseas Human Resources and Industry Development Association) Japan. JASTECA introduced the 5S Japanese management system in Sri Lanka over two decades ago that has been adopted by hundreds of companies and several Government institutions. Annually 700-800 students learn Japanese through the Japanese Language Education Association (JLEA) of JASTECA. Over 350 students studying for the Advanced Level Examinations from rural families undergoing economic hardships are being helped by Madam Ogawa Scholarships. JASTECA also maintains a ward at the Arachchikanda Hospital in the Southern Province.