Advertisement

International Review of Education

, Volume 60, Issue 2, pp 261–277 | Cite as

Corporate social responsibility: Benefits for youth in hydropower development in Laos

  • Stephen Sparkes
Article
First Online:

Abstract

The role of the state as regulator combined with policies on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that go beyond legal requirements to establishing programmes that promote development and good international business practice is an emerging new paradigm. In this paper, the example of a state-owned company, Statkraft A.S. of Norway, and its recent hydropower investment in central Laos illustrates how policy, implementation and follow-up can lead to benefits for local communities in the impacted area of the Theun-Hinboun Expansion Project (THXP). Programmes include both support for and improvement of existing government education programmes, employment opportunities and specific programmes for youth. They have been designed to mitigate possible negative effects of the influx of workers and rapid socio-economic change in the affected area. Young people continue to have a central role in the implementation of these programmes as peer educators under the supervision of project staff and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Keywords

Corporate social responsibility Hydropower Social development Policy Sustainability Youth Lao People’s Democratic Republic Laos 

Résumé

Responsabilité sociale des entreprises : bénéfices pour les jeunes dans le développement de l’énergie hydraulique au Laos – Le rôle de l’État régulateur associé aux politiques de responsabilité sociale des entreprises, qui vont au-delà des exigences légales en matière de programmes de développement et de bonne pratique commerciale internationale, est un nouveau modèle émergent. Dans cet article, l’exemple d’une société publique norvégienne, Statkraft A.S., et son investissement récent dans l’énergie hydraulique au centre du Laos illustre que les politiques, la mise en œuvre et le suivi peuvent apporter des bénéfices aux communautés locales dans la région concernée par le projet d’expansion Theun-Hinboun. Les interventions portent à la fois sur le soutien et l’amélioration des programmes existants d’enseignement public, des opportunités d’emploi et des programmes spécifiques pour les jeunes. Ils sont conçus en vue d’atténuer les effets éventuellement négatifs de l’afflux de travailleurs et des changements socioéconomiques rapides dans la région concernée. Les jeunes continuent à assumer un rôle central dans la réalisation de ces programmes en tant que pairs éducateurs, sous la supervision du personnel du projet et d’organisations non gouvernementales.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. ADB (Asian Development Bank) (2009). Safeguard policy statement and annexes. Manila, Philippines: Asian Development Bank.Google Scholar
  2. Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. London: Pitman.Google Scholar
  3. Ingram, G., Wils, A., Carrol, B., & Townsend, F. (2006). The untapped opportunity: How public private partnerships can advance education for all. Washington D.C.: Academy for Education Development.Google Scholar
  4. Keller, S. (n. d.) Transect walks. Sustainable sanitation and water management (SSWM) tools. Accessed 10 January 2014 from http://www.sswm.info/category/planning-process-tools/exploring/exploring-tools/preliminary-assessment-current-status/tran.
  5. Lao PDR (Lao People’s Democratic Republic) (1994). Act No. 002/NA of 14 March 1994 concerning labour. Geneva: ILO NATLEX. Accessed 13 January 2014 from http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/WEBTEXT/37325/64924/E94LAO01.htm.
  6. McWilliams, A., Siegel, D. & Wright, P. M. (2006). Corporate social responsibility: International perspectives (PDF). Working Papers (0604). Troy, New York: Department of Economics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.Google Scholar
  7. Norplan, A. S. (2008a). Final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Mitigation and Management Plan (EMMP) for the Theun-Hinboun Expansion Project. Ski, Norway: NORPLAN A.S.Google Scholar
  8. Norplan, A. S. (2008b). Final Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the Theun-Hinboun Expansion Project. Ski, Norway: NORPLAN A.S.Google Scholar
  9. Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2009). St. meld. nr. 10 (2008–2009). Næringslivets samfunnsansvar i en global økonomi [Report No. 10 (2008–2009) to the Storting. Corporate social responsibility in a global economy]. Oslo, Norway: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. English version accessed 8 January 2014 from http://www.regjeringen.no/pages/2203320/PDFS/STM200820090010000EN_PDFS.pdf.
  10. Statkraft A. S. (2012). Årsrapport 2012 [Annual report 2012]. Accessed 11 June 2013 from http://annualreport2012.statkraft.com/ (in English).
  11. THPC (Theun-Hinboun Power Company) (2007). Rapid assessment on migration and human trafficking in THXP project lands and host village areas (internal planning document). Vientiane, Laos: SED, THPC.Google Scholar
  12. THPC (Theun-Hinboun Power Company) (2011). From conception to 2010. Vientiane, Lao PDR: THPC. Accessed 4 May 2013 from http://www.thpclaos.com/images/stories/pages/documents/SED_XPBooklet_Vol1_Inception_2010.pdf.
  13. THPC (Theun-Hinboun Power Company) (2012a). From 2011 to commercial operations. Vientiane, Lao PDR: THPC. Accessed 4 May 2013 from http://www.thpclaos.com/images/stories/pages/documents/SED_XPBooklet_Vol2_%202012_Commercial%20Operations.pdf.
  14. THPC (Theun-Hinboun Power Company) (2012b). Social and environmental division monitoring report 2011. Vientiane, Lao PDR: THPC. Accessed 4 May 2013 from http://www.thpclaos.com/images/stories/pages/documents/2011-Social-Environmental-Monitoring-Report.pdf.
  15. THPC (Theun-Hinboun Power Company) (2013a) Briefing report: Youth volunteer training: volunteerism and teamwork, 26 February to 3 March 2013 at Nongsong school (internal report). Vientiane, Laos: SED, THPC.Google Scholar
  16. THPC (Theun-Hinboun Power Company) (2013b). Social and environmental division monitoring report 2012. Accessed 4 May 2013 from http://www.thpclaos.com/images/stories/pages/documents/thpc_sed_monitoring_2012.pdf.
  17. UN (United Nations). (2011). United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP). New York: United Nations.Google Scholar
  18. WB (World Bank) Safeguard policies (2012). Washington D.C.: World Bank.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht and UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Statkraft A.S.OsloNorway

Personalised recommendations

Cite article

Buy options