Caritas India at the CSR LiveWeek Summit

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept that suggests that it is the responsibility of the corporations operating within society to contribute towards economic, social and environmental development that creates a positive impact on society at large.

It has been 5 years since the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules were passed. Effective from 1 April 2014, 2013 Regulation Act states that companies whose net worth is of INR 500 Crore or whose revenue sums up to INR 1,000 crore or whose net profit is of INR 5 crore will have to spend 2% of their average profit of previous three years on CSR. The activities can range around several social developmental activities mentioned in Schedule VII of the Act like education, healthcare, rural development, sanitation, and others.

Through consistent efforts of LIVEWEEK stakeholders from the CSR world gathered together at World Trade Center, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai on 4^th & 5^th July 2019. The two-day event encompassed a conference, exhibition and book launch with meeting areas to network, source, supply and learn. Its fundamental aim was to engage the sector at every level. This space helped corporates, not for profit organizations to come together to gage the impact created since the CSR bill came to existence. Panel discussions were centered around innovative and creative ways to maximize the impact of CSR. It also focused on discussions around making corporates CSR heavy and Best ways to balance the impression of CSR to the community they are reaching out.

Ms Jenny Joy, Resource Mobilization Officer, Caritas India being part of the panel on the topic “Transforming CSR” spoke on “Building Volunteering as a Culture” within the space of CSR. India has a demography of more than 50% of the total population under the age of 35, in order to create actual transformations, one should invest in this young generation. She emphasized on creating volunteering opportunities for young adults will in turn sensitize them towards the realities of the societies, create a social capital and turn them into social entrepreneurs. She also highlighted volunteering through Employee Engagement programs is common culture among the corporates. Such one-time engagements should be turned into a regular phenomenon which will lead to building volunteering community. This will not only benefit the community with which the corporate is engaged, but also result in employee retention and brand building of the organization.

Caritas India’s story of working with children was featured in the CSR good book 2019 edition. CSR Good Book is a compendium of strongest, sustainable and socially responsible organizations showcasing their social efforts and initiatives. The two-day event also comprised of networking tea and lunch which gave the participants an informal platform to enrich their connections.