Acknowledgements and memberships
Social Responsibility Association
Since 2020, Masaryk University has been a member of the Social Responsibility Association in line with its upcoming long-term strategy for 2021+. It is the largest initiative in social responsibility and the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the Czech Republic, connecting the private and non-profit sectors, public and educational institutions.
“Social responsibility is no longer a topic that concerns only the corporate environment, which we are well aware of at the University. Membership in these organizations allows us to be involved in all ideas for new activities that can be carried out in this regard, as well as to participate actively in policy-making and measures.”
Mgr. Marta Valešová, MBA
Bursar MUNI
CSR Stakeholder Platform
Since autumn 2020, Masaryk University has been one of the first organizations in the Czech Republic to take on measures to be issued by national authorities connected with sustainable development in the country, thanks to its membership in the CSR Stakeholder Platform. The Ministry of Industry and Trade supports the platform to provide space for mutually beneficial discussion and exchange of experience in CSR.
Debate on Social Responsibility of Higher Education Institutions
In June 2020, Masaryk University hosted a unique event of its kind, a discussion of representatives of Brno universities and regional organizations on "Social Responsibility of Higher Education Institutions." The debate was organized as part of the Project Partner Network of Higher Education Institutions for Social Responsibility with Universitas and MUNI TV media partners. Masaryk University Bursar Marta Valešová represented the management of universities.
Report from the event including a recording of the discussion available here.
Responsible Public Procurement at MUNI
Masaryk University is a partner of a project of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs called Support for implementation and development of socially responsible public procurement, implemented since 2016. In public procurement, the emphasis is placed on the most economically advantageous solution and the impact on employment, social affairs, and the environment.
In recent years Masaryk University has won this way, for example, the supply of sweatshirts made of organic cotton; this public contract is also presented on the European Commission's website as an example of good practice of responsible purchase of textiles. In 2018, the University received an award from the Ministry for implementing these principles and contributing to responsible public procurement in the Czech Republic. .
In 2020, Masaryk University became one of the founding members of the OVZ Platform, which aims to spread this approach among the Czech Republic entities to become an established standard.
More on responsible public procurement in a separate section of the university website.