Catalan as part of corporate social responsibility and as a way to connect with consumers

PalmThe conference 'Corporate Social Responsibility: The Linguistic Aspect', organized by the Balearic Institute of Studies, brought together numerous professionals from the business world and language management this Tuesday to reflect on the role of Catalan – and of the islands' own languages ​​in general – within corporate social responsibility strategies. The event was well-attended, demonstrating a growing interest in understanding how companies can contribute to linguistic normalization through their social commitment and their daily interactions with clients and employees. Josep M. Canyelles, an expert in corporate and organizational social responsibility, opened the conference by emphasizing that "responsible management includes not only environmental and labor aspects, but also cultural and linguistic ones, as an expression of respect for the environment in which the company operates." Following this, Belen Uranga, a researcher at the Soziolinguistika Klusterra (Sociolinguistics Center), presented the ERALAN project, a pioneering model for managing linguistic responsibility in Basque companies. The Galician experience was also represented by Marta Besada and Rosa M. Cardeso, who presented initiatives to revitalize the Galician language through programs such as the Manuel Beiras Awards, Galego Empresas (Galician Companies), and Videoconsejos (Video Tips), all launched in Santiago de Compostela. Guillem Pujades and Mireia Adell, from the Consortium for Linguistic Normalization, explained various actions to promote the use of Catalan in the business sector, while Immaculada Cerdà, from the Provincial Council of Valencia, emphasized the importance of using Catalan in a friendly, everyday way, starting with a simple "good morning." The day also addressed the legal and civic dimensions with a presentation by Bernat Prats of the Platform for the Language, and culminated in a round table discussion on best business practices, moderated by journalist Cristina Bugallo, with the participation of representatives from Set Hotels, Melicotón, Agromart, Joan Marc Restaurant, and other businesses. The attending business leaders agreed that a commitment to Catalan not only strengthens identity and social cohesion, but also brings brands closer to consumers and improves their corporate image. For their part, Pedro Vidal, Director General of Linguistic Policy, and Llorenç Perelló, Director of the Institute of Balearic Studies, emphasized the importance of promoting the regular use of Catalan in the business world and stressed that "decisive steps are being taken in this direction." They emphasized that promoting these initiatives fosters closer customer relationships, product quality, and a commitment to local language and culture.