The Editor, Sir:

Whereas sustainable development of countries, and even companies, speak to a long-term orientation, it is vital for a focus on the development of youth in society and in companies. I, therefore, recommend that a comprehensive corporate social responsibility rating system be carried out and publicised, with a specific rating for how well companies contribute towards youth development. A rating system would rate the strength of their apprenticeship/internship programmes; youth outreach initiatives; number of youth employed in a specific period; growth environment among other things.

This would not be an avenue for companies to show off what they have done, but more as a method to show, objectively, companies' contribution to the development of one of the most vulnerable groups in today's Jamaica (youth). This rating, for example, can then be used as a measure to evaluate whether a company should get certain incentives, amnesties or tax breaks, for example. There are numerous benchmarks and rating systems such as Green Globe certification, ISO 9000. We need something to show how well companies contribute towards involving youth development in society and in their own organisations.

Indicator of performance

Profitability is not the only indicator of a company's performance, especially when we broaden the perspective to look at how well a company impacts society, and contributes to the collective cause of improving the human development of a country. The challenges of our times further highlight the need for companies to evaluate how well they are performing as corporate citizens and how they can play a role in addressing, through their business vision, the goals of sustainable development.

I am, etc,

MARK BF PIKE

mark@cct-jamaica.com

Kingston