The Indo-American Chamber Of Commerce (IACC), in association with Event partner, Stonehill International School (An Educational Initiative of The Embassy Group) and ChildFund India hosted a forum on creating Child -Friendly CSR programs in corporate India. The forum titled, “Making CSR Child- Friendly” held at Hotel Le Meridian on 3rd April 2018 endeavored to promote and support accountability towards child development through committed corporate social responsibility. This event served as a platform to discuss and highlight relevant concerns such as online protection for children, on-road safety for children, child protection measures in school, child safety standards and parents protocol, government child safety mechanisms, infant mortality and female infanticide.
Commenting on the event, Shaina Ganapathy, Head of Community Outreach at Embassy said, “At Embassy, we have a strong vision to provide sustainable and safe infrastructure to communities that are located near us. This event is an opportunity to promote our CSR vision for child safety and reaffirm our commitment to providing Safe infrastructure to over 17 Government Schools in and around Bangalore.”
According to Beverly Sortland, Head of School, Stonehill International School, “For companies looking to build a stronger nation, it is critical that they invest in the development programs that help young children thrive, ensures their safety and empowers them towards a better future. We are proud to be able to host this event that reflects our ever-growing commitment to child development and child safety.
Dr. C Manohar, EC Member of IACC, Dean ISBR & Co-Founder of Parentof Solutions said, “We believe that children should be the focus of sustainability for institutions and individuals. However, despite making it mandatory for corporate in India to invest 2% of net profits into CSR, the quantum and number of companies spending on CSR was dismally small. Many of IACC member companies were spending on CSR projects and thus IACC chose to set the stage for the conversation of making CSR child-friendly.”
The session was led by Neelam Makhijani, CEO and Country Director, ChildFund India, who said, “ChildFund India, a leading child development and protection organization strives to create and encourage a safer, better and happier place for children and young adults to live in. We place special emphasis on preventing abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation against children in India and other countries we work in. Our Country Strategy 2020, focuses on setting up of and strengthening sustainable community structures as child protection mechanisms to free children from early marriage, child labour and trafficking. Through this platform, ChildFund intends to initiate a dialogue around child development and safety related issues, to support and promote accountability towards child development through committed CSR initiatives.”
The panel discussion included key speakers such as Dr. Beverly Sortland, Head of Stonehill International School, Mr. Panish Hangal, Business Partner Arika Advisory, Mr. Simon McCloskey, Deputy Head of School & Primary Principal, Stone Hill International School, Mr. Swaroop – Founder and Director of Parent of Solutions, Mrs. Krupalathaa, Founder of Sukrupa Foundation and Mrs. Sheila Devraj, Director of Association for Promoting Social Action (APSA).
