Dialogue with society
Rabobank is a socially responsible bank that actively enters into dialogues with
stakeholders on social trends and issues. These dialogues lead to outcomes that
are incorporated into the sustainability policy and communicated to employees,
enabling them to deal responsibly and professionally with the dilemmas they face
when providing services.
Dialogue about issues that matter
The materiality principle forms the starting point for our dialogue with stakeholders. What this
means is that Rabobank wants to enter into a dialogue concerning issues that have a major
impact on the bank, its stakeholders and society at large. Rabobank's aims in this area are
based on the issues that stakeholders believe are important as well as on the Group's own
expectations for the future, external sources and research.
The groups of stakeholders that have been identified for this purpose are customers, employees,
client interest groups, government agencies and civil society organisations. In some cases,
departments responsible for commercial issues conduct dialogues with stakeholders comprising
clients and client interest groups. In addition, Rabobank has entered into dialogue with a number
of civil society organisations to discuss various social issues and the Group's social policy.
Active involvement in services
Stakeholders such as member councils and youth councils of local Rabobanks are actively
involved in the bank's policy-making and provision of services. In addition, the sustainability
policy is discussed with employee representation bodies, and civil society organisations are
involved in the development of policy in areas such as human rights, biodiversity and the
defence industry.
Social issues and policy development
The following social issues are relevant to all core activities and are at the centre of Rabobank's
social policy: human rights, environment and climate, animal welfare, consumer interests
(transparency of services, product safety, food security), integrity (including combating
corruption), and the policy on the defence industry. New international policy frameworks,
set by intergovernmental organisations (United Nations, OECD), and sustainability standards
(IFC Performance Standards, IS026000, Equator Principles, GRI) related to these issues are
being introduced constantly. Sustainability standards are becoming more and more specific
and are being harmonised to an increasing extent. During the year under review, Rabobank
started to adjust its policy in keeping with such external frameworks. Among other things,
policy on human rights and biodiversity was stepped up. The policy will continue to be
adjusted in 2012 to reflect these external developments.
Dialogue with external stakeholders
The central themes of Rabobank's CSR policy include contributing to food security and
improvements in sustainability in the food and agri sector and other value chains. Rabobank is
also actively involved in international stakeholder dialogues on creating more sustainable
value chains in the food and agri sector, alongside intergovernmental organisations, the
business community and civil society organisations. Examples of such dialogues include the
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Strategic Framework Sound sustainability policy
