- Entry for The SERAS 2024 is Now Open May 1st - June 31st
In dialogues with leading sustainability experts worldwide, a consensus emerges regarding four significant shifts in global trends over the past two and a half decades. Initially, the focus was on encouraging organizations to embark on the sustainability journey. The second shift involved urging them to document and report their progress. The third shift revolved around initiatives concerning recycling waste, renewable energy, and climate change. We are now on the brink of a new trend, one that seeks to enhance the depth of the second wave.
Peter Bakker, president of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), suggests that businesses primarily concentrate on disclosing under the CSRD. However, he expresses concern regarding an excessive emphasis on compliance with the directive. Bakker asserts that businesses must not report merely for the sake of it but utilize reporting to facilitate better decision-making and drive actual change.
Mark Lee, partner and director at ERM, a sustainability consultancy, echoes Bakker's sentiments and stresses the need for greater focus on accountability and transformation rather than mere reporting. Lee observes, "We’ve become proficient at broadcasting our actions, but without significant change—emissions continue to rise, deforestation persists." He further predicts a shift in pressure on businesses from data provision to actual delivery.
Annually in Africa, The SERAS platform encourages organizations across the continent to advance their sustainability frameworks to ensure resilience. Recognizing that no path is flawless and no one-size-fits-all solution exists, as curators of Africa’s largest sustainability awards, we ask ourselves: Is sustainable development achievable? Can we delve deeper into the SDGs and strive to have at least 75% of African countries score a minimum of 60% in meeting the set targets?
In a world marked by confusion, distraction, and myriad challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, urban vulnerabilities, food insecurities, mass displacement, dwindling middle-class populations, and high youth unemployment amidst political instability, the attainment of sustainable development occasionally appears elusive. Nevertheless, Africa has made consistent strides, with countries like Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Angola, Morocco, Egypt, Rwanda, Botswana, Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mauritius, and many others demonstrating progress. The goal for 2024 is to raise the bar so that by the end of 2023, Africa's performance will not mirror the dismal outcomes seen at the conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals era, which preceded the Sustainable Development Goals and concluded in 2015.
Read moreBest in Circular Economy
Best in Poverty Reduction
Best Education Intervention of the Year
Best Stakeholder Engagement of the Year
Best in Gender Equality / Women Empowerment
Best in Climate Action
Best in Environmental Stewardship
Best in Promotion of Good Health/ Wellbeing
Best in Reporting & Transparency
Not-for-Profits of the Year
Social Enterprise of the Year
Best in Water & Sanitation
Best in Rural Population Integration
Partnership of the Year
Best In Food Security
Best in Work Place Practice
Best in Financial Inclusion
Best in Innovation
Best in Supply Chain Management
Best in Infrastructure Development
Sustainability Reporting (Media- Electronic/Print /Online)
Most Responsible Organization in Africa (Overall Prize)
Africa Personality of the Year (Influencer for Good)
Africa’s Top Celebrity (Promotion of Justice & Social Good)
Africa Sustainability Professional of the Year.
CEO of the Year
Internationally Recognized Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Leader
Read BioCorporate Social Responsibility,Corporate Communication and Public Relations Expert
Read BioDirector at Kaleidoscope Futures, Founder of Sustainability Leadership Kosova
Read BioWe have a figure; it could be a man, woman, adult or child, or an organization in a position of advantage that extends a hand of friendship to another. The SERAS figurine bends over double to assist that person who, for the moment, is down there- who needs help or leverage. However, as we are all aware, in life, the only constant thing is change.
The one who is down today may indeed have the advantage tomorrow. As the figure bends over the double, to make a difference, to make an impact. To reach out and touch somebody’s hands, to make this world a better place. The muscles and backbone stretch; the helper can feel a twitch of discomfort as the finger stretch to make with the other.
And as the hand’s touch, the eyes connect, for the moment in time, a bond is forged, a connection made, a life saved, enriched and a warm golden blow to hope and love engulfs both parties both the giver and given, hope, love, faith is rekindled. For that tiny moment in time, as the figures touch, there is a burst of hope, and the weary earth rejoices.
The figure represents LIGHT- light to show the way to a better and brighter future for humanity and the universe. It is a common saying that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness; Light illuminates what is good and right about us all and banishes our ills, not just today, but forever.
***THE PRESTIGIOUS SERAS FIGURINE IS MADE BY R.S. OWENS – MAKERS OF THE RENOWNED OSCARS AND GOLDEN GlOBE STATUETTES.