The gathering, held at the SEZ's organization headquarters, focused on
strengthening cooperation between companies in the region and emphasized the
importance of implementing social responsibility programs with clear
objectives.
Social Responsibility as a Driver of Sustainable Development
In his address, Mohsen Avezdokht, Social Advisor to the CEO of NPC,
stressed the importance of targeted social responsibility initiatives, calling
for well-structured planning to complete and expand ongoing projects in the
field.
Avezdokht highlighted the vital role of social responsibility in the
sustainable development of surrounding communities, saying: “Social
responsibility should not be limited to sporadic, short-term actions but must
be executed as part of a cohesive, impactful strategy. We must pursue projects
that not only address immediate community needs but also lay the foundation for
empowerment and self-sufficiency within the region."
He also called for the completion of unfinished social responsibility
projects, noting that several initiatives initiated in the past were in need of
special attention and timely completion. "We must prioritize projects that
contribute to sustainable improvements in the quality of life for the people in
the region," he added.
Empowerment and Skill Development for Local Communities
Avezdokht emphasized community empowerment as a core component of
corporate social responsibility. He said: “To increase the effectiveness of our
social initiatives, we need to shift from short-term interventions to long-term
empowerment and skill development programs. Creating sustainable job
opportunities, supporting vocational training, and involving local communities
in decision-making processes are key actions that will have lasting impacts on
the region.”
Collaborative Solutions for Social Responsibility Challenges
During the meeting, the social responsibility secretaries from various
companies in the region discussed challenges and presented solutions for
improving their performance. It was also emphasized that social responsibility
projects should be based on thorough needs assessments of local communities and
should be carried out in close collaboration with stakeholders to ensure direct
improvements in the social and economic conditions of the region.
The meeting concluded with a summary of proposals and the development
of new strategies to further enhance social responsibility activities within
the Special Economic Zone, setting a course for future initiatives to have a
more significant, lasting impact on local communities.