CSR Oman, a summit that unites the Omani business community to debate and discuss crucial corporate social responsibility (CSR) topics, will return for the second year in a row from October 27 to 29, 2015, at the Grand Hyatt Muscat.

Organised by Informa Middle East, the two-day conference and one-day masterclass will champion corporate social sustainability to drive community development, youth empowerment and social entrepreneurship.

CSR Oman 2015 will feature the keynote address from Mohsin bin Khamis Al Balushi, advisor to the Ministry of Commerce, who will also preside over the summit.

Panel of specialists 

The event will welcome an all-new expert panel of CSR specialists including Houssam Chahin, senior PSFR officer for MENA at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Dr Munther Al Busaidi, assistant dean for training and community service at the College of Economics and Political Science at the Sultan Qaboos University.

Other prominent practitioners who are set to make key contributions, are from some of the most recognised national, regional and global institutions such as the Jusoor Foundation, Ernst & Young, Sustainability Square, and Haya Water, in addition to HSBC Bank, Oman Sail, the Environment Society of Oman, HP and CSR Watch Jordan.

Larger platform

Hoda Abdelhay, conference producer at Informa Middle East, said, “CSR Oman 2015 has been built on last year’s success and will serve as an even larger platform to illustrate the most successful CSR initiatives, discuss ways to cement sustainable practices in all sectors of Oman, and exchange technical know-how and insight. Through these enriching discussions and debates, we have been able to develop a more unified vision of how best to drive Oman’s development, bolster mutual co-operation, and realise the hopes and aspirations of the youth.”

CSR Oman 2015 will focus on utilising CSR to drive community development, youth empowerment, and social entrepreneurship. Delegates can expect a host of insightful panel discussions, speed networking, case studies and expert roundtables where the latest trends and practices among other topics will be covered.

Themes include ‘Understanding and defining the role of sustainable CSR in the current Omani market climate’, ‘Change Management towards sustainability’ and ‘Fostering SMEs and social entrepreneurship’. Designed with the aim of contributing to a national sustainable framework and to serve as a benchmark for essential CSR practices, this year’s summit is set to be the largest yet.