Social Performance | Communities | Community relations | Relationships and engagement
Fibria has adopted a model for its relations with local communities that is based on three pillars:
- Dialogue: carried out in a structured manner with local communities that are affected, in some way, by the company’s forestry operations. The principal objective is to discuss and list the action to be taken in the event of positive or negative effects arising from these operations.
- Physical presence: a company representative (a professional chosen from amongst the regional office staff) experiences the local reality, through approximation and constant presence in the communities. This physical presence facilitates the company’s access to the community, and vice-versa.
- Engagement: a deeper structured relationship that establishes the company as a partner in local development. It involves discussing with stakeholders matters of common interest (socio-environmental and/or economic issues), in a transparent and participative manner, leading to the building of a relationship based on trust.
The engagement model was developed from a systematic approach allowing continuous improvement, greater understanding of what the critical issues really are for the stakeholders, and better preparation by the company for discussing these issues and taking these into consideration during the decision making process.
In 2009, the process of engagement in Helvécia (Nova Viçosa, BA) was continued and planning was begun of the engagement efforts in Juerana (Caravelas, BA) and Barra do Riacho (Aracruz, ES).
Details of the initiatives aimed at engagement and relations with traditional communities (Amerindians, Afro-Brazilians, fishing and small farmers) can be found in the summary of the 100 Day Plan Management and Strategies >> Sustainability >> 100 Day Plan.
‘It is in the most difficult relationships that the company shows its ethical values in practice – through tolerance, openness and fairness in its dealings. It is a big challenge.’
