Youth Perspectives on Corporate Social Responsibility and Equity

Today’s younger generations, including Generation X and Y, are increasingly focused on driving social change and making a positive impact. They prioritize justice, access, inclusion, diversity, and equity (JAIDE) and expect businesses to do the same. In this article, we’ll explore a study called “From the Mind to the Heart” conducted across Canada in 2022, shedding light on how these values influence corporate structures and actions.

Understanding the Study

“From the Mind to the Heart” is a pioneering study in Canada that delves into the impact of JAIDE on corporate structures and actions, as well as the cultural and practical aspects that either hinder or promote equity in corporate-nonprofit partnerships. The study places a significant emphasis on philanthropy, defining it as more than just a mental understanding but also as a compassionate, heartfelt inclusion that seeks to address historical challenges and unite communities.

The core principle is that everyone’s heart must be included in the pursuit of positive change, leaving no one behind. Younger generations are particularly vocal about the need for genuine commitment and investment from communities. They are not content with following old models and are eager to take action to drive real change.

The Role of Knowledge and Empathy

Today’s consumers expect businesses to be socially conscious and aware of issues related to inclusion, diversity, and the environment. Acquiring knowledge to empathize with communities and individuals is seen as a key step in influencing change. Diverse representation within corporate committees is viewed as a priority for attracting young professionals who are passionate about social responsibility.

Identified Gaps

The “From the Mind to the Heart” study revealed several significant gaps that need to be addressed to promote greater equity and social responsibility in businesses:

1. Lack of Diversity: The study highlighted a lack of Black and Indigenous representation within corporate community investing teams. This lack of representation inhibits equity, with only 25% of Black practitioners having funding decision-making responsibility compared to 96% of white respondents.
2. Shallow Commitment: While there is training on equity, diversity, and inclusion, there is often a lack of deeper commitment to the principles and practices of social justice.
3. Low Importance: Corporate community investment is sometimes perceived as having low importance within organizations, leading to a lack of focus on this crucial aspect.
4. Slow Adaptation: Companies tend to be slow in changing or updating their community investment practices. This sluggishness can result in the continued exclusion of diverse groups from important decision-making processes.

Recommendations

To encourage the younger generation to get involved in corporate community investing committees and effect real change, several recommendations emerge:

1. Empathy-Centric Approach: Empathy must be at the core of community investing, fostering a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges faced by communities.
2. Diversity as a Priority: Corporations should prioritize diversity within their community investing committees to attract young professionals who value inclusivity.
3. Integration of JAIDE and CSR: Business education and training should integrate JAIDE and corporate social responsibility (CSR) principles to instill these values in future corporate leaders.
4. Greater Action and Commitment: Effective CSR requires more significant action and commitment from corporate leaders, moving beyond surface-level initiatives.

These recommendations offer intriguing insights into how young people can be better integrated into corporate community investing committees. Corporate social responsibility, when deeply ingrained in an organization’s values, goes beyond marketing campaigns and demonstrates a genuine commitment to making a real difference in society.

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