The American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM), a prominent apex chamber representing U.S. industry in India, recently wrapped up its 8th CSR Conference in New Delhi. The conference commenced with an inaugural address by Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, Former Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, and Former Director General & CEO of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Dr. Alexandria Huerta, Deputy Mission Director of USAID/India, also delivered a keynote address at the event.
Dr. Chatterjee, widely recognized as the ‘Father of Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR) for his pivotal role in formulating and issuing CSR guidelines for Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) in April 2010, shared insights into the evolution of CSR policies. Additionally, he highlighted his contributions to the inclusion of Section 135 in the Indian Companies Act, 2013, and the shaping of rules and policies on CSR.
Themed “Mainstreaming CSR: Intersecting with Business and Climate,” the conference saw active participation from numerous corporations, advisory agencies, and social sector organizations. Speakers and delegates engaged in insightful discussions on various facets of CSR and philanthropy, with a particular emphasis on integrating business strategies with sustainability initiatives.
Dr. Alexandria Huerta emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between the private sector and USAID in fostering transformative partnerships to drive economic growth in India and beyond. She praised AMCHAM’s role in bringing stakeholders together to address development challenges, highlighting the expanding partnership between USAID and AMCHAM to achieve more impactful and sustainable results.
The conference covered a wide range of topics, including the role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in India’s development, the increasing significance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations in CSR, and challenges in scaling non-profits. The event also discussed strategic actions to effectively leverage resources and directed CSR funds towards underdeveloped or underserved regions, emphasizing collaboration and inclusive development.
Featuring representatives from prominent organizations such as Intel, Coca-Cola, Sahamati, Deloitte, Flipkart Group, CRY India, and Pyxera Global, the conference provided valuable insights into driving impactful CSR initiatives aligned with sustainable development goals.
Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO of AMCHAM, commented on the conference theme, highlighting the importance of elevating CSR and sustainability beyond business practices. She underscored the significant contribution of US firms, which account for 44% of the total global company spends on CSR in India, in promoting social responsibility and amplifying impact. Khanna emphasized the need for stakeholders to collaborate effectively, enabling business, social good, and environmental action to work in harmony and drive lasting change for future generations.
The event emphasized the crucial role of collaboration between stakeholders in driving impactful CSR initiatives aligned with sustainable development goals, fostering synergy between business, philanthropy, and climate action.