The World University Service Canada (WUSC) in collaboration with Sri Lanka Canada Business Council (SLCBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce hosted a CEOs breakfast presentation and networking session at the Kingsbury Hotel with Canadian CSR coach Steven Fish, Executive Director of Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR). This session was graced by the High Commissioner of Canada Shelley Whiting.

This high-level event featured CEOs from corporate companies discussing the challenges they face with CSR and sustainable growth in their sectors.

Speaking at this session, the High Commissioner of Canada Shelley Whiting expressed that working with WUSC and SLCBC was one of the highlights of her role as ambassador. In order to increase trade relations between the two countries businesses must be on board with CSR principles. “One of Canada’s top priorities is to promote inclusive economic growth. Trade and prosperity is a central means of uplifting our society” Whiting said.

WUSC Country Director Esther McIntosh emphasized that partnership with the private sector is a key part of WUSC’s ASSET project which aims to reach the disadvantaged and ensure a sustainable future.

Steven Fish presented the 19 principles of a transformational company using key examples from Canada and emphasized that CSR “is much bigger than a single program within your company, it has to come from the top…There is tremendous growth potential in Sri Lanka. But how do you sustain this level of growth without losing the natural wonder of this place?”

Speaking after the event, SLCBC President Chandev Abhayaratne observed “Many businesses in Sri Lanka look at CSR as a short-term donation, a quick fix or something that can be completed over a weekend, but it must be integrated into the whole company in order to sustainable impact. Companies are about profits, but CSR reminds us that it can’t be profits at any cost”.

These sessions on Transformational CSR are organised by Advancing Specialized Skills for Economic Transformation (ASSET) project and Uniterra projects which are funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

from left to right: Mr. Chandev Abhayaratne – SLCBC, Ms. Esther McIntosh – Sri Lanka Country Director WUSC, High Commissioner of Canada Shelley Whiting, Mr. Steven Fish - Executive Director CBSR and Harshani Samarajeewa - Uniterra Country Coordinator