Straits Times Reflection 9 (Term 2 Week 4)

Businesses are still big on doing good
(Part B – Home Section – Page B6 – The Home Market)

Q1) What are big companies doing in order to be more socially responsible?
Singtel’s energy saving programme, for instance, helps us to reduce business costs and an opportunity to re-invite our customers to join their environmental efforts, such as signing up with Singtel myBill, our paperless billing system. McDonald’s does not purchase beef or other food originating from rainforest land or recently deforested rainforest land. Over at DBS, its “community initiatives are focused on helping children reach their full potential in the area of learning and give off their time and effort to make a difference in the lives of children in Asia. Major businesses are also committed to raising funds for charity despite the downturn. Singtel’s spokesman said that even as the fund-raising environment in Singapore becomes more challenging, we are committed to help the less privileged in our community. There are two examples on the ways how to help the needy. Firstly, last year, the Singtel Touching Lives Fund raised $2.2 million for less privileged children and youths. Secondly, last month, real estate company ERA helped The Singapore Association for the Deaf organize its first charity walkathon, raising $80,000.


Q2) How important it is to be socially responsible? And do you think it is still possible to make a social impact during the recession?