We bring you a round-up of corporate social responsibility activities across the world, from tackling obesity in over 200 countries to empowering women entrepreneurs in Asia.

Zambia

Companies in Zambia were told to make corporate social responsibility a core value of their operations to contribute to national development. The traditional leader, Paramount Chief Mpezeni said the Government has a lot of obligations and business entities should complement its efforts. Chief Mpezeni said businesses can contribute greatly to the development of the nation by sharing their profits with communities: “We can build this country if we all take up the challenge. Government alone cannot do everything.”

USA

Coca-Cola Company announced four global business commitments to further contribute to healthier, happier, and more active communities and to reduce obesity. The commitments will apply to the more than 200 countries where the company operates. The commitments include offering low or no-calorie options in every market, providing transparent nutrition information, supporting physical activity programmes and not targeting advertising to children under the age of 12.

 “Obesity is today’s most challenging health issue, affecting nearly every family and community across the globe. It is a global societal problem which will take all of us working together and doing our part,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Coca-Cola Company. “We are committed to being part of the solution, working closely with partners from business, government and civil society.”

The Company has also committed to publicly and actively measure the scale and reach of its efforts on www.comingtogether.com. The digital platform provides further details about the Company’s global commitments and invites people to learn more about what the Company is doing, track its progress, post feedback and exchange ideas on how we can collectively promote choice, energy balance and movement.

Singapore

Bank of America and Vital Voices have convened a mentoring forum in Singapore, bringing together several influential women from the public and private sector who are committed to strengthening women’s economic empowerment across developing nations in Southeast Asia. The Global Ambassadors Programme, a Vital Voices and Bank of America partnership, mobilises accomplished professionals as mentors for emerging women leaders in developing countries and brings leaders from the private and public sector together to share and discuss the skills and resources necessary to help women achieve their full economic potential.

Australia

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has won the national award for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) Awards. This latest award acknowledges the centre’s long-standing commitment to sustainable development and work practices and its contribution and achievements in the area of community engagement.

In recent months, BCEC has expanded its CSR agenda by partnering with the AEG 1EARTH global sustainability program across its family of worldwide venues. As part of this international initiative, BCEC will now focus on achieving specific sustainability and community targets by 2020.

Russia

Two corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs run by global nutrition company, Herbalife were named in the list of "Best Social Projects of Russia" in 2012. This is a national program established to support the aim of the Russian Government to improve social policy, based on partnership between the state, society and the private sector. The main objective of the program is to highlight the importance of social responsibility, and nominees included major telecoms, retail and media organisations.

India

Utkal Alumina, a mining company in India, has started a corporate social responsibility programme to ensure young people’s future employment potential. Around 170 students from among the families affected by mining operations are being sponsored at Industrial Training Centres in association with an Engineering College. Training in technical jobs to enable students to take up jobs such as a welder or electrician is being provided with the entire cost for study, lodging and board being borne by Utkal Alumina.