作为英国2010年上海世博会法律主题周系列活动的一部分，DLA Piper律师事务所于本周二协办了一场有关企业社会责任的座谈会。在会上，20多位演讲嘉宾以及100多位来自政府、学术界、商业界的资深代表，就企业社会责任政策和法律在中国的发展以及即将出台的慈善法将如何影响企业社会责任实践等话题进行了深入交流和探讨。

"CSR is moving from the backroom to the boardroom in China," said Lord Tim Clement-Jones, partner of DLA Piper, at a Symposium on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) hosted by the firm on Tuesday.

At the conference, which took place in the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010, some 20 speakers from the government, academic institutions, business communities and non-government organisations (NGOs) discussed the political and legal developments in promoting CSR in China. Many of them expect companies to play a key role in cultivating a more conscientious society in China under the soon to be released Charity Law.

"As we are on the cusp of the new China Charity Law being released, we believe both foreign and local corporations in China need to prioritise this discussion as part of their business strategy and operations in this vitally important world market," said Lord Clement-Jones. "This is an era where comprehensive development will replace individual enrichment for entrepreneurs; and sustainable strategy will replace conspicuous consumption in companies."

The conference attracted over 100 senior representatives from industry including representatives from Pilkingtons, Unilever, Goldman Sachs, Tesco, Standard Chartered, Barclays Capital, and several state-owned enterprises, as well as over 30 government approved NGOs. ALB

Related stories: