CSR projects a big draw for Gen Y workers

More workers in Singapore, particularly those from Generation Y, expect their companies to be involved in corporate social responsibility projects. Mr Laurence Lien, National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre Chief Executive, made these comments as one of the five panelists at a dialogue session yesterday held at SMU. The event, organised by a group of SMU students to promote CSR efforts in Africa, was part of the second Africa Singapore Business Forum, which began yesterday. SMU President Arnoud De Meyer said that there was a “symbiotic relationship” between CSR and a company performing strongly financially. "I do believe, and there is a lot of research that indicates this, that they go together, and that it's part of simply being a good company. You are doing well financially, but at the same time you build up your corporate reputation and you invest in social performance," he said. Professor De Meyer added that all his students complete at least 80 hours of community service with a social or civic organisation during their course of study. "We do this because we want our students to understand what are the possible career opportunities in a non-profit organisation," he said. "We also hope that we can develop qualities in our students, such as confidence, compassion and, in many cases, self-reliance."