One Company's CSR Enables Grassroots Change
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) emerged out of the 1960s civil rights movements and has become a linchpin of foreign investment as a regulated area of corporate conduct that is gaining increas-ing attention from shareholders, investors and governments around the world.
Canada has contributed to the indoctrination of CSR within its borders and abroad. On a global scale, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) designates CSR guidelines for multinationals in order that they contribute to economic, environmental and social progress with a view of achieving sustainable development that encourages building local capacity and human capital formation, and refrain from discrimination or adverse impacts on the community and country.
Not only the concern of major conglomerates, CSR programs can be adopted by companies of any size and few are reaching farther than Antioquia Gold Inc. (TSXV: AGD, OTCQX: AGDXF) is with its variety of programs in Colombia.
Commencing activities in September 2007, Antioquia Gold Inc. has been developing CSR programs for the communities of El Limon, Faldas del Nus, and La Quiebra near the town of Cisneros in the department of Antioquia where it operates exploration-stage mineral projects. Its CSR activities include education and recycling incentives, healthy lifestyle workshops, dental care accessibility, theatre programs, employment projects, and sport incentives.
Perhaps no other CSR program is more illustrative than the Pisciculture Project (fish farm). With the support of Antioquia Gold Inc., a group of 9 female heads of households have implemented and self-managed the fish farm located in Faldas del Nus, within the municipality of Santo Domingo. Importantly, this project allows women to gain local employment without interfering on their household duties. Antioquia Gold Inc. contributed ponds, equipment, fish and feed to the initial start-up and provided extensive training on the care and handling of fish. By April 2011 the yield was about 700 red tilapia, which were traded between communities. The revenue generated is reinvested into maintenance, development, and growth. This project will likely become a mainstay for community sustainability and expanded upon by Antioquia Gold Inc.
Whereas the fish farm can affect families economically, socially and nutritionally, the Sports Sponsorship program can bolster community pride, acceptance and healthy individual achievement. Antioquia Gold has supported the Corporation for Disabled People of Cisneros (CODICA), led by Mrs. Rosa Magdalena Henao in the department of Antioquia. CODICA currently has 50 members from low income families, ages 15-35, who suffer from Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, deafness, and hydrocephalus, for examples. In June 2011, Antioquia sponsored with uniforms and transportation to participate in the 5-day competition at Lberoamerican Olympiad Fides-Compensate held in Bogota. CODICA members were rewarded with 2 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals and found themselves welcomed as new community heroes at home.
This Company's CSR has contributed to social development, increased community participation, created employment and training activities, and implemented recreational and cultural programs accessible to women, children and the local populations. How often does a junior foreign exploration company do so much to engender grassroots change and empowerment? Not often enough. This stellar example of how corporate commitment is put into practice reflects likewise the care and commitment dedicated to Antioquia Gold Inc.'s mineral projects to further enrich the community.
Canada has contributed to the indoctrination of CSR within its borders and abroad. On a global scale, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) designates CSR guidelines for multinationals in order that they contribute to economic, environmental and social progress with a view of achieving sustainable development that encourages building local capacity and human capital formation, and refrain from discrimination or adverse impacts on the community and country.
Not only the concern of major conglomerates, CSR programs can be adopted by companies of any size and few are reaching farther than Antioquia Gold Inc. (TSXV: AGD, OTCQX: AGDXF) is with its variety of programs in Colombia.
Commencing activities in September 2007, Antioquia Gold Inc. has been developing CSR programs for the communities of El Limon, Faldas del Nus, and La Quiebra near the town of Cisneros in the department of Antioquia where it operates exploration-stage mineral projects. Its CSR activities include education and recycling incentives, healthy lifestyle workshops, dental care accessibility, theatre programs, employment projects, and sport incentives.
Perhaps no other CSR program is more illustrative than the Pisciculture Project (fish farm). With the support of Antioquia Gold Inc., a group of 9 female heads of households have implemented and self-managed the fish farm located in Faldas del Nus, within the municipality of Santo Domingo. Importantly, this project allows women to gain local employment without interfering on their household duties. Antioquia Gold Inc. contributed ponds, equipment, fish and feed to the initial start-up and provided extensive training on the care and handling of fish. By April 2011 the yield was about 700 red tilapia, which were traded between communities. The revenue generated is reinvested into maintenance, development, and growth. This project will likely become a mainstay for community sustainability and expanded upon by Antioquia Gold Inc.
Whereas the fish farm can affect families economically, socially and nutritionally, the Sports Sponsorship program can bolster community pride, acceptance and healthy individual achievement. Antioquia Gold has supported the Corporation for Disabled People of Cisneros (CODICA), led by Mrs. Rosa Magdalena Henao in the department of Antioquia. CODICA currently has 50 members from low income families, ages 15-35, who suffer from Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, deafness, and hydrocephalus, for examples. In June 2011, Antioquia sponsored with uniforms and transportation to participate in the 5-day competition at Lberoamerican Olympiad Fides-Compensate held in Bogota. CODICA members were rewarded with 2 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals and found themselves welcomed as new community heroes at home.
This Company's CSR has contributed to social development, increased community participation, created employment and training activities, and implemented recreational and cultural programs accessible to women, children and the local populations. How often does a junior foreign exploration company do so much to engender grassroots change and empowerment? Not often enough. This stellar example of how corporate commitment is put into practice reflects likewise the care and commitment dedicated to Antioquia Gold Inc.'s mineral projects to further enrich the community.
