To make these activities sustainable, it is essential to show the host communities that the company is committed to playing an active role and to supporting them in developing local projects. Take the example of MinAmerica, which is Panama's largest mining exploration and development group. The purpose of these programs is to build positive relationships with the communities around its mining areas and to educate the country on the benefits and costs of the industry. Everybody in the U.S., for example, has heard of the Ronald McDonald Houses for families of sick children in hospital. One way to do so is to involve them directly in social or community activities, which build teamwork skills, improve employee morale and bring employees closer to the needs and realities of their customers.
Some corporations go even further, choosing to invest in the education of the population at large.
In South Africa, the National Business Initiative, which groups more than 140 corporations, develops educational and training programs. An ill-educated child costs corporations hundreds of millions of dollars in training and literacy programs and lost productivity. While usually not large enough to singlehandedly influence a country's political or social situation, corporations can individually or in groups have an impact on the stability of their communities. Consider the case of Bankers Trust in Asia. All Rights Reserved.