Opportunity 2000, Arts, International and Partnership News

Opportunity 2000, Arts, International and Partnership News

December 01 1992

by Mike Tuffrey

Opportunity 2000, the campaign to improve the balance of women and men in the workforce, published its first annual report on November 17 at a meeting in London attended by 300 executives from public and private sector employers.

Opportunity 2000, the campaign to improve the balance of women and men in the workforce, published its first annual report on November 17 at a meeting in London attended by 300 executives from public and private sector employers. 141 organisations have now joined the campaign, covering some 25% of the UK workforce.

The annual report covers the progress of the original 61 signatories in meeting their goal to increase the quality and quantity of womens’ participation – one third now have flexible working arrangements for all staff, half offer some form of mentoring programme, two-thirds have common pay and conditions and almost all offer training or education to increase opportunities. The biggest single barrier to overcome has been indentified as lack of internal communication, so as to achieve commitment and understanding at all levels.

Among the speakers at the anniversary event were Lady Howe, Chairman of the campaign, Gillian Shephard MP, Employment Secretary, and Geoff Mulcahy, Chairman and Chief Executive of Kingfisher. He said Kingfisher had increased the number of female trainee managers from 37% to 43% in year one of a five year action plan, with changes to achieve flexibility in working patterns. Certain positions, mainly filled by women, had been regraded which will enhance career paths. Contact Liz Bargh, BITC, on 071 925 2899 and Jackie Brock-Doyle, Kingfisher, on 071 724 7749

Britain has the second highest number of working women in the EC, according to the annual statistical survey Women and Men in Britain, published by the Equal Opportunities Commission on October 20, and a third of the 15 million part-time workers in the EC are in Britain. However the gap between earnings by men and women is among the largest. For example in banking, finance and insurance, women earn barely half men’s pay on average in the UK. Contact Carol Foster, EOC, on 071 287 3953

Around one hundred people attended a conference on November 5 on partnership in childcare, organised by the Working for Childcare campaign and sponsored by TSB Group. Examples of partnership in action were considered, following up the detailed Practical Guide, published with TSB Group support earlier in 1992, which sets out a recommended approach drawing on the lessons of 21 case studies. Working for Childcare also offers a consultancy service for employers. Contact Fiona Cannon, TSB Group, on 071 606 2775 or Sue Finch, Working for Childcare, on 071 700 0281

Women will benefit from the likely changes in the workforce composition during this decade, according to a report published on November 13 jointly by the Institute of Careers Guidance and the employment consultancy CREATE. 1.2 million blue collar jobs will be lost, while 1.9 million new jobs are created in skills-intensive, knowledge-based occupations. The detailed report looks at trends in various categories of employment and highlights the importance of continuous learning to adapt to the changes. Contact Amin Rajan, CREATE, on 0892 526757

Women returning to work after a child care break can feel their career has suffered a set-back, according to a survey of 800 women published in Beyond the Career Break. Conducted by the Institute of Manpower Studies at the University of Sussex and published on October 15, the survey found the proportion statisfied with career progression fell from 84% to 64%. However more employers are accepting the possibility of part-time working in senior positions. Beyond the Career Break is part of the IMS Cooperative Research programme in which employers such as Abbey National, British Gas, Marks & Spencer and Shell UK have participated. Contact Sue Kent, IMS, on 0273 686751

The Attitude of men is the biggest single obstacle to the advancement of women at work, according to an Institute of Management survey of 1,500 women and 800 men, published with support from the stores group, BhS, on November 2. One in three women said they do not receive adequate respect from male superiors and women suffer from working in a function – personnel or administration – from which promotions to senior management are less frequently made. The report includes detailed recommendations for action. (the Institute of Management is formed from the merger on November 1 of the British Institute of Management and the Institution of Industrial Management.) For copies, price ?30, contact IM Books on 0272 724248

The Carnegie Inquiry into the Third Age published four more research studies in October, covering volunteering, caring, the needs of third age households and education and training. The Inquiry is looking at the needs of the increasing numbers of people aged between 50 and 74 who have finished work but are still active. The report on volunteering, Widening Horizons in the Third Age, by Justin Davis Smith of The Volunteer Centre UK, includes a survey of 300 organisations revealing that third agers are the ‘backbone’, with 60% saying their could not run without older people’s voluntary help. The report calls on employers to establish volunteering schemes before retirement. Copies, price ?9.50, from Bailey Management Services on 0303 850501

ARTS

Dance Umbrella, the international dance festival, won the 1992 Prudential Award for the Arts, worth ?75,000, announced at a presentation dinner on November 15. Four other arts companies received ?25,000 as winners in their categories. According to Mick Newmarch, Prudential’s Group Chief Executive, the awards seek to recognise innovation, creativity, excellence and accessibility. Contact Jill Podbury, Prudential, on 071 548 3716

The overwhelming majority of MPs support plural funding for the arts and eight in ten agree that government should provide incentives to business sponsorship, according to a survey of MPs published by ABSA in November. New figures for total business sponsorship for the arts will be published by ABSA in early December.

Meanwhile, nearly thirty companies have been shortlisted in ten categories for the annual ABSA/Arthur Andersen awards. The winners will be announced on December 11 at a presentation by HRH The Prince of Wales. For the first time this year, a new award will recognise the contribution made by business volunteers through Business in the Arts’ placement scheme. Contact Jane Leslie, ABSA, on 071 378 8143

The thirtieth anniversary of the release of Love Me do, the Beatles’ first single, is being commemorated with an international exhibition, sponsored by THORN EMI, the re-release of the single and a new book. Designed and produced by the British Council, the exhibition traces the history of the group and will be shown at British Council offices in 56 countries. The programme was launched on the anniversary date, October 5, at EMI’s Abbey Road studios. Contact Claire Baker, THORN EMI, on 071 355 4488

The number of young people taking part in festivals and concerts organised by Music for Youth should rise from 25,000 to around 50,000 by 1995, due to a ?40,000 sponsorship from THORM EMI. The aim is to ensure young people have access to music and the arts from an early age and among other activities Music for Youth organises the biggest youth music festival in the world. Contact Claire Baker, THORN EMI, on 071 355 4488

INTERNATIONAL

The business r”le in tackling environmental issues in Asia was the subject of a series of meetings organised by The Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum in early November. Prince Charles met with company chiefs in Seoul, South Korea, where rapid economic growth has caused many problems, then he addressed a conference of business, environmental and community leaders in Hong Kong. As part of the Forum meeting, Jonathon Porritt lead a team into China to see the impact of growth and urban development in the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. A regional network of business leaders and environmentalists has now been formed to spread best practice and promote partnership projects. Contact Susan Simpson, IBIC, on 071 925 2933

The Confederation of India Industry and the Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum held a three-day workshop in Jamshedpur to set up a regional networks of business and community leaders and to plan pilot partnership schemes. Held on October 27-30, some 30 people attended from a range of businesses and NGOs. An Indian Business Leaders Forum is likely to be established in early 1993.

Efforts in Central and Eastern Europe to assist the wider community in the transition to market economies continue to grow, with a new emphasis on economic twinning. Through International Business in the Community, links are being developed between various towns and regions in Hungary with Kent, Corby, Dudley and Lancashire, and a conference held in Budapest on December 2. IBIC has also published a guide to Central and Eastern Europe partnerships, Meeting the Challenge, sponsored by Shell International, United Biscuits and Chartered WestLB. Contact Dr Imre Hermann, IBIC Hungary, on 010 36 1 156 1953 or Susan Simpson on 071 925 2933

Investment in Eastern and Central Europe will continue to increase, according to a survey of 87 multinational firms, with Hungary being the most attractive country. More than a third of the estimated 612.5 billion invested or committed to the region has gone to Hungary. The joint survey between EIU Vienna and Creditanstalt found Austrian and German companies more willing to give guarantees to staff than American companies. So far most communication effort has been directed at government with a lower priority accorded to local communities. Contact Sharyn Cooper, EIU Vienna, on 010 43 1 712 4161

PARTNERSHIP

Final figures for the BT Swinathon, held in March, show that ?1.5 million was raised for three charities – RNIB, Cancer Relief MacMillan and Mencap. BT paid the ?250,000 organisation and publicity costs and around 30,000 people took part, marking the biggest participatory fundraising project in the UK. BT intends to expand its support next year with the British Red Cross, the NSPCC and the Spastics Society being the beneficiaries. Contact Mike Bowtell, BT, on 071 356 5389

Final figures for company participation in the National Challenge, organised in July by The Volunteer Centre UK and Business in the Community, show that more than 8,000 employees completed about 500 tasks in their local communities, representing 64,000 hours of community service. The National Challenge was sponsored by Tate & Lyle. ASDA, Allied Dunbar, East Midlands Electricity and Royal Mail were commended for the involvement of their employees. Contact Tracey English, BITC, on 071 925 2899

The IBM Fund for Community Computing, which ran for one year to September, received 700 applications and made 60 grants. A partnership venture between IBM and the Community Computing Network, it aimed to help groups use IT more effectively, so grants could only be used for training or consultancy, not equipment. An evaluation of its success, with an analysis of the computing needs of the voluntary sector based on the information provided in applications, will be produced in January, after which further support will be considered. Contact Sandra Sanglin, IBM UK, on 071 928 1777

The British company most admired for community and environmental responsibility is Body Shop, according to a survey conducted by Loughborough University Business School for the Economist magazine and published in its October 17 edition. The poll was taken among 1,300 managers in 240 top firms, ranking firms by sectors and according to nine criteria of which community was one. Runner up was Marks & Spencer, followed in order by British Gas, Anglian Water, RTZ, Reuters Holdings, Welsh Water, Northumbrian Water, J Sainsbury, Glaxo (the overall survey winner) and Pilkington. However doubts have been expressed about the results, since only two of these companies (Marks & Spencer and Pilkington) featured in the top ten two years ago, and it seems unlikely corporate reputation in the community field can be gained or lost so swiftly and completely. Contact Professor John Saunders, LUBS, Loughborough LE11 3TU

A new category in the annual PR Week Awards, Best Corporate Community Involvement Campaign, was won by Mason Williams for the Greenforce Initiative on behalf of News International. The award was presented by Stephen O’Brien of Business in the Community on October 27 and sponsored by Burson-Marsteller to promote effective communication of community involvement. Contact Ray Palin, B-M, on 071 831 6262

A seminar organised by the Charities Aid Foundation on October 14, The Relationship between the Private and Voluntary Sectors, heard Dr Diana Leat question whether business contributes more to charities than vice-versa. She cited American estimates that in 1980 US businesses put 66 billion into the voluntary sector as donations or purchases, but got back 643 billion in sales of goods and services. She called for more research into all aspects of the private/voluntary relationship. Contact Melissa Byers, CAF, on 0732 771333

The RSA’s inquiry Tomorrow’s Company – the r”le of business in a changing world held a half-day seminar on October 7 to look at news ways to measure the success of companies, supplementing financial information to indicate the future health of a company for all its stakeholders. Sponsored by The National Grid Company, the seminar concentrated on work already done to establish new measures. Contact Katharine Holmes, RSA, on 071 930 5115

The Chartered Institute of Bankers has published a short study undertaken by Sheffield Business School for a seminar in September on Banks and their Obligations. It draws a distinction between social responsibility and social responsiveness where companies are more open to social influence, communication with external groups and ethical questions, and concludes that the banks’ traditional image of integrity and reliability is being challenged. The researchers also examined in depth the National Westminster Bank programme as a case study. Contact Neil Hartley, NatWest,on 071 726 1402

London First, a new partnership to promote the nation’s capital, was launched by its Chairman, Sir Allen Sheppard, on October 21, with the backing of over forty companies. Four issues will be examined by strategy teams: transport, education and training, economic development and quality of life. London First will work closely with the previously announced London Forum, a private sector body to promote London as a centre for tourism and culture. Both bodies are chaired by Sir Allen Sheppard and share a common executive committee chaired by Stephen O’Brien of Business in the Community. Contact Mary Carroll, BITC, on 071 321 6273

Following the success of the management development course for corporate community involvement professionals, run in Manchester last April, a further three-day programme has been arranged. Organised by Business in the Community with Ashridge Management College, it will take place on April 5-7, 1993. Contact Pene Clarkson, BITC, on 071 925 2899

A new sports funding incentive scheme, Sportsmatch, was announced by National heritage Minister, Robert Key MP, on November 30, to encourage business sponsorship of grass roots sport. The ?3 million fund, to be administered by the Institute of Sports Sponsorship, must be matched pound for pound by business and will concentrate on local amateur sport, especially involving young or disabled people. Grants will range from ?1,000 to ?75,000 per project. In addition, separate schemes are being funded in Scotland and Wales. The total value of conventional sports sponsorship is estimated at ?230 million. Contact Vince Yearley, National Heritage, on 071 270 6917

Barclays Bank has provided ?60,000 to establish a funding scheme for small innovative projects in disadvantaged areas. Announced in November 30, the Barclays Community Action Awards is managed by the Community Development Foundation and the scheme forms part of CDF’s 25th anniversary campaign.

The CDF has also recenbtlky published Signposts to Community Development, a forty page booklet written by Marilyn Taylor, the first of a series exploring key issues. This booklet offers an introduction to the needs of communities, looking at the history, methods and values of community development. Contact Ros Frost, Barclays, on 071 489 1995 or Amanda Hare, CDF, on 071 226 5375

Following the report on the training needs of charity trustees, On Trust, the National Council of Voluntary Organisations is setting up a new development unit specialising in support services for trustees. Allied Dunbar is providing ?80,000 over two years, with matching funding from the Home Office’s VSU. The Unit, due to start in January 1993, will coordinate and publicise existing services and plug the gaps.

Meanwhile small charities are to receive help with business plans and grant applications from NCVO. Four workshops will be held and written materials produced, with ?12,500 funding from Marks & Spencer, announced on October 30. Contact Tim Dartington, NCVO, on 071 713 6161

The annual conference of the Charities Aid Foundation, held on October 30 in London, with link-ups to Edinburgh and Belfast, heard Heritage Minister, Robert Key MP, assert that the national lottery, likely to start in 1994, would increase the total funds available to charities. His department was studying experience in 30 countries and he called for submissions on the best distribution mechanism so smaller charities would not suffer. At the conference, CAF’s Executive Director, Michael Brophy, argued that part of the funds from the lottery should be used to set up a National Community Bank. Drawing on experience in the US, Hambros Bank is advising on the Bank, which would make loans to charitable projects that can yield a return. Contact Neil Jones , CAF, on 0732 771333

Community groups in southern England must take a different approach to fundraising from their regional office of BT. All applications must be submitted by an annual deadline, thus avoiding a continuous stream of requests and allowing the merits of different projects to be compared. Proposals must include an element for the training and financial management needs of the project, together with a media plan. The aim is to devote sufficient resources to every aspect of a project so that it can succeed. Inevitably fewer projects enjoy bigger grants, so BT offers unsuccessful groups places on a series of training courses at minimal charge on topics such as fundraising and publicity. These course took place in October. If the new procedures, called Community Partnership, are judeged a success, the scheme may be extended to other BT regions Contact Mike Large, BT, on 0227 474555

Corporate Citizenship Briefing, issue no: 7 – December, 1992