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Santo Domingo, R.D - June 26, 2020 - The Chair of Sustainability "Alejandro E. Grullón E.", of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) and the Popular Foundation, held the Dialogue on Corporate Social Responsibility: Sustainability in times of crisis, with Dr. José Mármol, Executive Vice President of Public Relations and Communications of Grupo Popular and Mr. Mauricio Ramírez Villegas, resident representative of the United Nations Development Programs. The activity was attended by Ms. Mariel Bera, vice president of the Public Relations Area, moderator, and Dr. Iluminada Severino, director of the Center for Social Innovation and Business Development and interim vice-rector for Administration and Finance, with the opening remarks and closure on behalf of the PUCMM.
Mr. Mauricio Ramírez stressed that the economic crisis has caused millions of people to stop receiving their income with its natural course. This, therefore, has caused fragility, weakness and poverty in 5 million people in the country. On the other hand, the food and nutritional security of these vulnerable populations is equally threatened by economic and nutritional risks; the lack, let's say, of access to food, to resources and this also generates a double burden that is given first by a health issue are very vulnerable from the point of view of health especially rural populations, the poorest due to the effect of diseases, pandemics, epidemics we know that dengue is coming, during the winters other series of difficulties are generated; and on the other hand, also the effects of climate change that cause their living conditions to be equally affected.
He also contributed that there is an environment in a state of degradation affected by consumption and production patterns that limit sustainable development and sustainable practices in the country, waste management, pollution issues, the pressure that exists in the large Cities are issues that are undoubtedly being constituted at this time, although there is a problem that has been occurring, it is now an opportunity for a much more sustainable recovery, thinking of a greener, more inclusive, more sustainable ecological economy. In this case, the business sector plays a fundamental role, through not only its social responsibility actions, but also all the activities and actions carried out internally, highlighted Mauricio Ramírez, resident representative of the United Nations Development Programs.
For his part, Dr. José Mármol explained that the concept of crisis falls within the scope of business continuity and the disasters that the pandemic will leave behind. This epidemic has been called a crisis like no other in history, which will present an uncertain recovery for the world economy. The negative fall in this sense, of the economic growth in this year 2020 has already been predicted by specialized organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and studies carried out by The Economist, affirm that it will be essential a strong multilateral cooperation. In multiple areas, liquid support is urgently needed for countries facing a health crisis and external financing deficit. Once the pandemic is over, then, the authorities must cooperate to resolve the commercial and technological tensions that endanger the final recovery from the Covid-19 crisis; In addition, taking advantage of the unprecedented decrease in greenhouse gas emissions during the pandemic and especially everything related to confinement.
“The Covid-19 pandemic leaves us a lesson that can bequeath to humanity, which is to understand that recovery and economic growth must occur in a sustainable environment that harmonizes public, private and non-profit interests, in robust alliances; and where the economic activity does not affect in any way against the environment and social well-being”, indicated Dr. Mármol.
To conclude, Dr. Mármol expressed “the pandemic has caused vulnerabilities worldwide, but the way in which we try to solve the problem as a nation is what will later show us how to succeed. In all areas of life, it has provided us with lessons so that if an embezzlement in the economy such as the one generated by Covid-19 is repeated; If we work through resilience, as nations and at home, we will overcome this and other processes to which we may be exposed later.