Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18th January, 2023: The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Educational Cooperation (OEC), H.E. Sheikh Manssour Bin Mussallam, has called for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes that are based on solidarity, instead of charity, if they are to have meaningful and lasting positive impact for society.
The call was made on Wednesday, 17th January 2023, during the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the OEC and Awash Bank, setting the foundations for a fruitful relationship, within the framework of the vision outlined by the Universal Declaration of Balance and Inclusive Education, between the Organisation and the first private commercial bank of Ethiopia.
The Secretary-General welcomed the understanding the agreement reached between the OEC and Awash Bank, as a further contribution to the just, prosperous, and equitable social transformation of societies through pursuing balanced and inclusive development.
“No one organisation, initiative, or indeed sector can effectively address the challenges facing the world today and give proper answers to youth aspirations,” he emphasised. “For the future we want is one that can only be achieved through a collective, sustained and sustainable effort.”
Regarding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Secretary-General said:
“Whilst well-intentioned, charity seeks, in a vertical manner, to ensure that the ‘poor’ merely survive, but it doesn’t address in the least the underlying causes of poverty and marginalisation. The OEC’s view is, accordingly, that Corporate Social Responsibility undertakings should rather be based on solidarity, designed through genuine consultation and dialogue, on equal footing with communities. We look forward to supporting Awash Bank in ensuring that its CSR programmes are not atomised, but inscribed within a collective framework of lasting change” he said.
The CEO of Awash Bank, Mr Tsehay Sheferaw, thanked the OEC for choosing to work with the Bank, and pledged to provide high quality services to the OEC, its projects, programmes, and staff.
Awash Bank is a pioneer private bank in Ethiopia with over 800 branches spread across the country.
For more details about the Organisation of Educational Cooperation,please contact:
The Department of Public Relations and Engagement (PURE)
Email: pure@oec-oce.org
Telephone: +251980613696
Follow us on Twitter: @OEC_OCE
Visit our website: www.oec-oce.org
