For Youth & Citizens
Understanding social responsibility in simple words
BETA VERSION - DRAFT ONLY
๐ What is ISO 26000?
Imagine a big book that gives good advice to companies about how to be kind, fair, and helpful to people and the planet.
It's like a guidebook for doing the right thing.
๐ซ But... it's NOT a "test"
ISO 26000 is not like a school test where you get a grade or a certificate.
- You cannot get a "gold star" or a "certificate" for it.
- It only gives advice, not rules you must follow.
So if a company says, "We passed ISO 26000!" โ that's not true, because you can't pass or fail it.
๐งญ What does it help companies do?
It helps companies think about:
It is basically a map that helps companies choose good actions.
๐โโ๏ธ Who helps the company decide what to do?
ISO 26000 tells companies to talk to their stakeholders โ which means the people who care about what the company does.
This can be:
- workers
- customers
- neighbors
- the community
- nature groups
But not companies that sell certificates โ because ISO 26000 is not for certification.
๐ Why some people like it
- โ It helps companies be more responsible.
- โ It encourages them to listen to people and help society.
- โ It gives a common language for talking about doing good.
๐ค Why some people don't like it
- โข It's long and hard for small companies to read.
- โข It has no certificate, so some think it's less useful.
- โข There are many other rules and guides already, and this is just one more.
โญ In short:
ISO 26000 is a guide that helps companies do the right thing โ but it's not a test, and you can't get a certificate for it.
๐ฏ The Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet, Profit)
Some people talk about companies needing to care about THREE things, not just one:
People
Taking care of workers, customers, and communities. Making sure everyone is treated fairly.
Planet
Protecting nature, reducing pollution, and taking care of the environment for future generations.
Profit
Making money so the company can keep going and doing good things. But not at the expense of people or planet!
๐ก The Big Idea: A company should balance all three. It's not just about making money โ it's about making the world better while staying healthy as a business.
Resources
7 resources relevant to Youth & Citizens stakeholders โ documents, tools, and presentations tagged for your group.
Official Publications
(4)Discovering ISO 26000
An accessible introduction from ISO Geneva โ provides a basic understanding of ISO 26000 for newcomers. Explains what social responsibility means, who the standard is for, and how organisations can begin using it.
ISO Sustainability Brochure
Official ISO Geneva brochure with key definitions and terminology of ISO 26000. Covers the standard's scope, principles, core subjects, and guidance on integrating social responsibility throughout an organisation.
ISO 26000 Framework Overview
PowerPoint slides covering the ISO 26000 framework and its essentials. Ideal for training sessions, workshops, or introducing the standard to new teams โ covers principles, core subjects, and integration guidance.
ISO 26000 Seven Core Subjects
Overview of the seven core subjects of ISO 26000: organisational governance, human rights, labour practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development.
Linkage & Connection Reports
(1)UN SDGs and ISO 26000
Mapping the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to ISO 26000 core subjects and guidance. Helps organisations understand how ISO 26000 implementation contributes directly to the 2030 Agenda.
Conference Materials
(2)ISO 26000 Global Forum 2024 โ Agenda
Full agenda for the 2024 ISO 26000 Global Forum on Social Responsibility. Continues the series with updated perspectives on implementation, regional developments, and the standard's evolving role in ESG and sustainability.
ISO 26000 Global Forum 2022 โ Agenda & Speaker Profiles
Full agenda and speaker profiles for the December 2022 ISO 26000 Post-Pandemic Global Forum on Social Responsibility. Features 14 expert presentations covering country implementations, business applications, and knowledge tools.
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