Understanding the CRS agenda through the Guiding Principles

The Guiding Principles are the building blocks of the CRS profession, and the lenses through which practitioners view their role and the impact of the organisations in which they work.

They should not be seen in isolation, and should be read in conjunction with the Code of Conduct. 

Their significance will vary depending on the location, seniority, organisation type, and context of the individual practitioner, but they will always have some degree of relevance to the CRS role. 

Core to each of the Guiding Principles is the need to have an awareness of an organisation’s impacts, to advocate and advise, to follow and uphold legal requirements, to define strategies that reduce negative and enhance positive impacts, to consider the views and collaborate with stakeholders, and to measure and communicate the results. Separate sub-sections address each of these themes under the headings of: Awareness, Advocacy and Advice, Compliance, Strategy, Stakeholders and Communication.

An external focus is vital. Practitioners will be expected to draw on the five Core Competences to demonstrate each of the Guiding Principles.  For example, research and analysis are relevant to building an understanding of ethical, social and environmental issues, while stakeholder engagement skills can help to identify opportunities for collaboration with external organisations.  

An understanding of the CRS agenda both informs and is shaped by practice that is driven by the Guiding Principles.