Abu-Ghazaleh: Social Responsibility is the outcome of the individual recognition of the community’s favor and an expression of gratitude towards this favor

  
AMMAN --- November 9, 2015 --- HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org), highly commended the decision of the Prime Minister HE Dr. Abdullah Ensour to form "The Jordanian Ministerial Advisory Committee for Social Responsibility" in conformity with the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II. Dr. Abu Ghazaleh also expressed his sincere thanks to the Government and to the Minister of Social Development HE Dr. Reem Abu Hassan for choosing TAG-Org to be a member in this committee, and he commended her efforts for strengthening the social security in the country.

In his speech delivered at the Regional Conference on Social Responsibility in the Arab World entitled "Maintaining Achievements and Facing Challenges" which was held under the patronage of the Prime Minister, Dr. Abu- Ghazaleh said that TAG-Org has established TAG Foundation for the social responsibility that is fully funded by TAG-Org and runs 34 sustainable programs in community service.

In the speech he delivered on behalf of the Jordanian Ministerial Advisory Committee for Social Responsibility, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh added that the social responsibility is an embodiment of the good partnership with the community, and the outcome of the individual’s realization of the community's favor and an expression of gratitude towards this favor. He also added that it means the integration of social values and considerations in the daily and strategic activities of businesses thus becoming the practical conscience, as evidenced in TAG-Org’s experience, as the community gives more favor to the company and the individual in recognition of their sense of responsibility.

Dr. Abu Ghazaleh stressed that there is no need to say that who conducts the social responsibility activities would benefit morally, financially, or at the media level, however, it would be better for those who criticize to assume their duty towards the community and thus avail and benefit directly or indirectly.

He explained that the social responsibility is an economic balance tool in society; rather, it was established for this purpose. He quoted Roosevelt: "I believe that, as long as there is plenty, poverty is evil."

He added that social responsibility is something different from the religious responsibility rejoined by religion and they should not be confused with. He also said that the religious responsibility differs from the political responsibility and they should not be confused with. Moreover, the social responsibility is something that is different from the partnership between the public sector and private sector.

He explained that the social responsibility concept was behind the establishment of the (UN Global Compact 2000) of which Abu-Ghazaleh was one of its founders. Dr. Abu Ghazaleh served as the vice chair of the Global Compact during the tenure of both UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan   and Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon. He also indicated that TAG-Org helped in the establishment of centers for the UN Global Compact in Amman and in other cities in the Arab world. 

With regard to the humanitarian and moral aspects, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh pointed out that he believes in Victor Hugo’s quote: "To be perfectly happy it does not suffice to possess happiness, it is necessary to have deserved it " and what Albert Einstein once said that "True religion is real living; living with all one's soul, with all one's goodness and righteousness.". 

Dr. Abu Ghazaleh added that the social responsibility is a message to every believer, and as Mother Teresa once said: "For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen."

At the end of the session, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh expressed his readiness to do his utmost to hold a national Jordanian conference to activate the role of the private sector in the community service. 

It is worth mentioning that the Conference was organized by the Arab Organization for Social Responsibility and the Ministry of Social Development with the participation and presence of many institutions active in the field of social responsibility.