Building on the recommendations of the Kenan Consensus, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on US Government efforts to promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Congressmen David Price, Sandy Levin and Cass Ballenger (now retired) requested the report in order to gain a greater understanding of the signals the US Government sends to global market actors regarding their social and environmental practices. The report GAO-05-744 is available at
http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/abstract.php?rptno=GAO-05-744

The GAO found that although there is no broad federal CSR mandate, the US Government has over 50 federal programs, policies, and activities to promote CSR. These programs lack coherence, clearly articulated principles, long term funding and concerted action. Many of the individuals interviewed by the GAO suggested that US Government could play a useful role in helping US firms to act responsibly everywhere they operate, and ensuring that they do so.

The Congressional Human Rights Caucus will hold a member briefing on the report and its implications for US trade, foreign aid, and human rights capacity building programs on September 28th, 2005.

The GAO report builds on the recommendations of the Kenan Consensus, a Study Group of prominent representatives from business, government, civil society and labor convened by the CSR and Public Policies Project of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise in Washington. The Study Group found common ground on various ways the U.S. government can promote global CSR. Barbara Fiorito, chairwoman of Oxfam America, and Bruce Moats, former corporate vice president, Levi Strauss & Co, co-chaired the Study Group.

The Kenan Consensus was directed by Dr. Susan A Aaronson and is available at www.csrpolicies.org. Dr. Aaronson is available for comment and can be reached at saaronson@kenan.org or 202-408-8612.

Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise

Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise

More from Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise