Fiera di Vicenza has received accreditation to plan and implement a United Nations-endorsed corporate social responsibility (CSR) program for the international jewellery industry.
The fair organizer becomes the only organization of its kind to achieve the accreditation, which comes through CIBJO. The CSR program aims to instill responsible business, social, and environmental practices in the jewellery industry.
“Fiera di Vicenza is honoured to be part of the process,” said Corrado Facco, the fair’s executive director. “We have been strong supporters of CIBJO’s program with the United Nations for several years already, and we are happy to be able to upgrade our role.
“As a service and content provider, our mission is to enhance the position of the jewellery industry. CSR is not only the right way to go morally and ethically, but is also correct from a strategic perspective. Jewellery may be considered as a luxury, non-essential product, but the world should come to know that the jewellery business and the revenues it generates are absolutely essential factors in the well-being of millions of ordinary people living in the developing world.” Â
Along with Facco, CIBJO president Gaetano Cavalieri; Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser, UN high representative for the Alliance of Civilizations and president of the 66th General Assembly of the United Nations; Muna Rihani Al-Nasser, chair of the UN Women for Peace; and Hanifa Mezoui, senior advisor, humanitarian affairs and civil society at the UN Alliance of Civilizations, met in New York to mark the milestone.
“We consider this to be a critical step in advancing the principles of corporate responsibility in the jewellery industry,” Cavalieri said.
“When CIBJO became officially associated with the United Nations seven years ago, our worldwide community committed itself to participating in the economic and social development of the countries in which we have a vested stake. But to do this, it is essential we are able to reach and educate industry members across the globe. Fiera di Vicenza has the infrastructure, experience, talent, and determination to enable us to get the job done.”
