AccountAbility Releases Global Standard in Stakeholder Engagement
LONDON - NEW YORK, November 17, 2015 /3BL Media/ - AccountAbility has released the final version of the AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement Standard (AA1000SES) 2015. Part of the AA1000 Series of Standards, the AA1000SES (2015) provides practical guidance on how to assess, design, implement and communicate effective stakeholder engagement.
The AA1000SES illustrates relevant and robust procedures in the full management cycle of stakeholder engagement with refinement and updates reflecting the views of experts and practitioners. The latest standard is the result of a broad, international, multi-stakeholder process that evolved through the years to establish the benchmark for good-quality engagement. It can be used as a tool to support risk management, protect the license to operate, enhance the brand, and set the stage for improving the overall sustainability performance of the organisation.
Commenting on the release of the new standard, Accountability Advisory Board member and former Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Mr. Robert Herz stated, "Systematically, obtaining, understanding, and responding to stakeholder views and needs is a critical foundation to achieving organizational success and sustainability. The new AA1000SES provides a comprehensive framework and best practice guidance for conducting high-quality stakeholder engagement projects and programs."
AccountAbility CEO, Mr. Sunny Misser stated that “We believe that the AA1000SES sets forth a simple, relevant and practical framework to implement high-quality stakeholder engagement. It allows organisations to rethink their approach to engagement by enabling stakeholders as active contributors to value creation.”
Intended for use by stakeholder engagement process owners, managers, senior decision makers, and participants in stakeholder engagement, the AA1000SES (2015) is applicable to all types and levels of engagements. Ms. Jane Nash, Head of Corporate Sustainability and Financial Inclusion at Australian and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) reflected the sentiments of the global user community by stating “As a company that has been using the AA1000SES for many years, ANZ is very pleased to see the development of the new standard. We see it as a natural progression that will help improve stakeholder engagement practices, maximise positive impact and determine value for our organisation.”
The AA1000SES (2015) is appropriate for both internal and external engagement, for public, private and civil society organisations of all sizes. It can be used for project-based activities as well as for ongoing long-term engagement purposes. “The objective of the revision and upgrade was to build upon the existing platform of SES and make it useful in the context of current engagement practice.” said Mr. Beat Grüninger, member of the AccountAbility Standards Board and Leader of the Revision Working Group.
The newly released AA1000SES (2015) contains requirements highlighted to provide clear guidance, and supporting frameworks in a format designed to improve the ease-of-use. The final version of the AA1000SES (2015) is available at http://www.accountability.org/standards/aa1000ses.html
About AccountAbility
Accountability is a leading global research, consulting and standards organisation providing innovative solutions to the most critical challenges in corporate responsibility and sustainable development. Since 1995, we have been helping corporations, non-profits and governments embed ethical, environmental, social and governance accountability into their organisational DNA. Our unique value proposition brings together leading-edge research, widely applied standards and strategic advisory services to deliver practical solutions for our clients and the global community at large.
