Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), a consortium of 50 PR firms, has created a Corporate Social Responsibility task force and Esther Buchsbaum, managing partner and co-owner of Energi PR in Montreal, has joined the seven-person team as the Canadian representative.
The task force, which aims to “make a difference in the world” by taking part in corporate social responsibility programs, will plan and organize outreach programs in the communities in which PRGN meets twice a year.
The idea was borne from the network’s meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, last year. About 60 PRGN members spent a day building a small concrete home for a single mother of three who lived in a shanty with no running water or electricity.
“It was just such an incredible, life-altering experience that we said we’ve now got to make this part of what we do every year,” said Buchsbaum. Ahead of each meeting, “we plan to do some research to see what we can do to help and leave a mark on communities.” Research is now underway for PGRN’s fall meeting in Sydney, Australia.
“CSR [corporate social responsibility] is really near and dear to my heart,” said Buchsbaum. “It is something that I advocate [for] on behalf of our clients. I personally feel that business has a responsibility to give back to community, so that’s always a recommendation we make as part of our mandate.”
