Global Compact Network India (GCNI) Unveils Its 10th National Convention
The Indian arm of United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), Global Compact Network India (GCNI) organized its 10th National Convention on 13th Feb 2015 in Bangalore. The event witnessed the presence of eminent personalities from various sectors taking part in discussions that aimed at finding ways to turn the sustainable development vision in to reality and meet the ambitious goal.
Launched in India in 2000, GCNI has been working towards bridging the gap between private sector activities and civil society initiatives for the establishment of an inclusive corporate sustainability in the global economy. The initiative has recorded over 100 leading Indian organizations, joining the cause. Continuing the legacy of ensuring sustainability, the recent edition of the national convention witnessed the launch of “Sustainability Practices: Perspective and Initiatives of leading Indian and Global Businesses”, which included sustainability practices of 19 companies. The panellist focused on this theme and discussed the proposed 17 sustainable development goals developed by the UN and means to implement these goals for ensuring real change.
The roundtable on ‘Sustainable Transformation for India: 2015 & Beyond’ was moderated by VishveshPrabhakar, MD, India-Strategy & Sustainability Services - Accenture and included distinguished panellists such as Ashok Kumar Pavadia, Additional Secretary & Adviser Inter-State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India; AlokMisra, ED-Chief CSR, Oil & Natural Gas Corporation; BabuRangaswamy, Director-Technology Services HP; G.S Krishnan Regional President, Novozymes South Asia; Prof. J. Philip, President XIME Bangalore; SucharitaEashwar, MD-India, Weconnect International and Tom Thomas, CEO, Praxis.
“Sustainability is not about changing the game or changing the players – rather it is about changing the thinking," stated BhaskarChatterjee, DG & CEO, IICA in his inaugural address. He further added, “Corporate and Companies can support with funds, but society plays the role of foot soldiers to bring change”.
Echoing in the similar veins, Pooran Chandra Pandey, Executive Director, GCNI said, “Sustainable transformation now and then would equal transformational leadership and greater connect on ground with people, so essential in driving growth, development and inclusion”.
Richard B Saldanha, Chairman-Trans Maldivian Airways and Gokaldas Exports,concluded by saying, “Education is nothing but refinement of one’s emotions and therefore it needs to be leveraged to ensure overall development’ and Connecting with the community is important for any business to progress”.
