DNote Xpress, Issue #11, Feb 2015

Issue: #11 | February 2015

A WORLD OF

PROSPERITY, EQUITY, DIGNITY, FREEDOM & PEACE

In this issue: Fiinovation & IOD at the 9th International Conference on CSR

MDGs to SDGs – Carrying the Baton Forward

Shiksha Adhikar Yatra- Taking that Fundamental Step

Mainstreaming Responsibility in Corporate Governance

Fiinobservation of National Days

www.fiinova on.co.in

01

Fiinovation & IOD at the 9th International Conference on CSR 'CSR should be in the DNA of every business' was the popular sentiment at the 9th International Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility held from January 19-20, 2015 in Mumbai. Organised by Institute of Directors (IOD), the event hosted eminent leaders from across the business fraternity, representing responsible business. Fiinovation was the principal knowledge partner lending its expertise and experience in the field of CSR and sustainability domain.

The event kick-started with the opening remarks from Govind Swarup, IAS (retd.), Chairman–Mumbai Region, IOD and the special address from Namita Vikas, Sr. President and Country Head-Responsible Banking, YES Bank Ltd; Soumitro Chakraborty, Chief Executive, Innovative Financial Advisors; Ranjan Dhawan, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda; Dr. Jaco Cilliers, Country Director, UNDP India; and The Rt. Hon. Baroness Verma, Minister for Energy & Climate Change, Govt of UK. Chairing the session on 'Social Innovation for Economic Growth and Business Sustainability', Mr. Soumitro Chakraborty, Chief Executive Officer, Innovative Financial Advisors Pvt. Ltd., said, "probably this is the best time for social innovation to take place, which are accountable and indigenous in their own area of functions. We have a very young diaspora of youth in this country which is about 65% of the population, that is below the age of 35. With youth comes opportunities and we need to focus on sustainable opportunities.”

He added, "corporate social responsibility is not the social responsibility limited only to corporates. It may have been defined for companies but it needs to be an amalgamation with the government or the local government structure. We also cannot deny the need for alignment of technology with the delivery platform as far as the social sector is concerned.”

A two-day long event, the conference highlighted the need to integrate CSR in corporate strategy and revolved around how dimensional changes are required that trickles down from top and permeates the bottom line. It also focused on the critical role and responsibility of the CSR board. The second day was dedicated to the discussion on the role of social media as a driver of CSR, vital HR insights highlighting success stories through case studies.

Felicitating businesses that have incorporated best practices in their operations, the event hosted Golden Peacock Awards. The event was graced by Shri Eknathrao Ganpatrao Khadse, Hon'ble Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Govt. of Maharashtra and the Rt. Hon. Baroness Verma, Minister for Energy & Climate Change, Govt. of UK as Guest of Honour. The Chief Guest Dr. S. S Kshatriya, IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra addressed the audience and shared words of wisdom.

Food for Thought...

Hear the Inuencers Speak...

 If food waste were a country, it would be the world's third

“India is already showing the way on sustainable energy. The Canal Top Solar Power Plant in Gujarat, which I inaugurated during my stay, is a good example of India's use of innovative technologies, and one that I urge others to follow."

-Ban Ki-moon

largest emitter of greenhouse gases!

 In

1990, almost half of the population in developing regions lived on less than $1.25 a day. This rate dropped to 22 per cent by 2010, reducing the number of people living in extreme poverty by 700 million.

 Between 2000 and 2012, an estimated 3.3 million deaths from malaria were averted due to the substantial expansion of malaria interventions.

 Over 2.3 billion people gained access to an improved source of drinking water between 1990 and 2012.

 By the measure of Net Enrolment Ratio (NER), India had crossed the 95% cut-off line regarded as the marker value for achieving 2015 target of universal primary education for all children aged 6-10 years, in 2007-08 itself.

UN Secretary General

"It is a fact that progress in gender equality & women's empowerment leads to economic growth" -May-Elin Stener UN Norway Representative

“It's essential to include and empower youth so that they can play their full part in building stronger and more inclusive and sustainable communities.”

-Helen Clark Administrator, United Nations Development Programme

“India's experience has demonstrated to the world that combining strong disaster alert mechanisms with empowered communities can dramatically reduce the loss of life from disasters.”

-Lise Grande United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative

02

MDGs to SDGs – Carrying the Baton Forward Fifteen years ago, the world came together to articulate the Millennium Declaration, a vision to improve the existence of many and for saving the lives of those threatened by disease and hunger. Since then, continuous efforts by governments, corporations, civil society and individuals have ensured that we face the world challenges head-on.

While analysing our efforts, I see 700 million people alleviated and poverty being reduced to half since 1990. Approximately 3.3 million deaths from malaria have been averted and 22 million lives were saved from tuberculosis. Our concerted efforts on improving access made sure 2.3 billion people drink safe water for their survival. Today, as poverty continues to decline more children are getting educated and there has been significant increase in political participation of women. During this journey of development, assistance was highest ever with $134.8 billion, despite this there are some targets that are yet to be achieved.

I believe the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have made a real difference in people's lives accelerated by strong leadership and accountability, this progress can be expanded in most of the countries by the target date of 2015. After 2015, as the world is in process of adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), efforts to realise a world of prosperity, equity, freedom, dignity and peace will continue unabated. The first development towards the SDGs came to the fore in the September 2010 MDG Summit. In July 2012, SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon announced a High-level Panel of 27 members to advise on the global development framework beyond 2015. The panel has submitted a report in May 2013 and the UN survey “My World” for a better world has provided a platform to everyone for consultations in the development process of the post-2015 agenda.

As the world tries to recover from the global economic crisis, there is a need for significant measures to achieve the desired goals. I believe, as we are in the process of finalization of the Sustainable Development Goals, the major focus areas should be on ending poverty in all forms, achieving food security for all, reduction of carbon emissions, promotion of gender equality, access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities, clean energy, promoting well-being and healthy lifestyle for all, promotion of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and maintaining ecological balance among others.

Climate change is one of the most talked about elements of post-2015 development agenda.

Apart from emission reduction, the world should also focus on climate smart agriculture.

There is an urgent need to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. In the years to come, we have to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns with major focus on waste reduction. Protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems, forests and land degradation should also be focused upon along with sustainable agricultural practices.

The process of urbanization is creating enormous pressure on our cities and efforts need to be directed towards making human settlements safe, resilient and sustainable. The inequality within and among different countries need to be reduced to maintain a level playing field across the world. With equal opportunities for everyone, the world can definitely strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize global partnership for sustainable development. Finally, I will conclude by saying that it is time once again for every one of us to come together to ensure we create the future we want.

- Rahul Choudhury

03

MDGs – India Report Card GOALS Poverty Eradication

Universal Education

Gender Equality

Reducing Child Mortality

Reducing Maternal Mortality Combating HIV/AIDS Malaria and other Diseases Ensuring Environmental Sustainability Global Partnership for Development

OUTCOME Reduced from 37.2% in 2004-05 to 21.9% in 2011-12

India has been the biggest contributor to poverty reduction between 2008 and 2011, with around 140 million or so lifted out of absolute poverty

Net Enrollment Ratio of 99.89% in 2010-11

India is likely to achieve 100% youth literacy by 2015

Highest ever count of women members in India's parliament in 2014 (Lok Sabha 61, Rajya Sabha 31)

India ranks in the bottom 10 of an international list on women's participation in the economy

52 deaths per thousand in 2015, target was 42

India had the highest number of under-five deaths in the world in 2012, with 1.4 million children dying before reaching their fifth birthday

Dropped from 560 in 1990 to 178 in 2010-2012

India is expected to reach MMR of 140 per 100,000 live births by 2015, falling short of target by 31 points

AIDS in 2013 dropped to 0.27 from 0.41 in 2002

The estimated number of people living with HIV was 2.08 million in 2011, TB scenario in India remains grim with 545,500 deaths in 2013 and India has halved the number of malaria deaths per 100,000 during the period 1990-2013.

Per capita CO2 emission 1.41 MT, forest cover 21%, HH with Water Access 90%

Globally, India continues to be the country with the highest number of people (597 million people) practicing open defecation

Internet Penetration 19.19%, Mobile Connectivity 73.9%

Presently, India has the third-largest Internet user base in the world.

REMARK: INDIA'S ACHIEVEMENTS WERE FAIR; HOWEVER THERE LIES A LOT OF SCOPE FOR IMPROVEMENTS

04

Shiksha Adhikar Yatra- Taking that Fundamental Step The religious and cultural disparity between males and females have long prevailed in the Indian society. Through special provision under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the government promoted education for girl children and employment of women teachers at the schools. Yet, only 48.2% girls attended school (Class I-V) in 2013-14 out of the total enrolment of 61.32% children in government managed schools (Class I- V).

Women inequality coupled with low status accorded to them in the society continues to be a source of concern. Prompted by the need to bring a change, NACDOR (National Confederation of Dalit Organizations) launched Shiksha Adhikar Yatra (SAY).

Conceptualised in 2008 by CADAM (Centre for Alternative Dalit Media) and initiated by Haryana Prathmik Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad, the programme was aimed at spreading awareness about education amongst masses and to shape a better world for all communities, especially for OBCs (Other Backward Classes) including dalits and other marginalized communities in Haryana.

It gained recognition at United Nations and attained a special place to facilitate achievement in education as a part of the Millennium Development Goals in India.

Problems:  Large number of Dalit and marginalised children are still out of school  In many cases, person in-charge of mid-day meal scheme sells the provision meant for children  Active discrimination against children from most backward communities by upper caste teachers Operations:  A group of 15-20 highly educated, trained and committed social professionals are selected.  With an aim of influencing the first generation learners, their families and communities,

the team explains the

fundamentalism of education to improve their lives and welfare.



The SAY teams are trained to create curiosity and generate interest among the target population (both literate and illiterate) that highlights of their right to achieve a sustainable standard of Universal Elementary education.



To create a ripple among the communities, the teams address the targeted areas (both rural & urban) which are vulnerable with low literacy rates.

Process:  Team uses

interactive communication like mime acts, street plays etc. for the campaigns. During the SAY walks (yatras), skits, dialogues, wall writing, discussions in public gatherings in village is also carried out.



Objectives of SAY walks are discussed and shared with the children through mementoes and merchandise.



After interactive sessions with the target communities, SAY workers ask for a feedback through questionnaires.



The questions framed for feedback interview are designed in a way that the interviewee unknowingly responds to present the real picture of the education system in the society.

Impact:  It has outstandingly performed in re-moulding Dalit community from rigid mindsets to accepting changes leading to an

 

improved community.

Created awareness among the masses about the significance of education in an individual's life.

Reach: 200 grass root activists covered 80-90 villages, 5000 households each day. The Yatra covered more than 5000 villages before coming to a close.

- Aditi Singh

05

Mainstreaming Responsibility in Corporate Governance Corporate governance could be defined as "a system of law and sound approaches by which corporations are directed and controlled focusing on the internal and external corporate structures with the intention of monitoring the actions of management and directors and thereby, mitigating agency risks which may stem from the misdeeds of corporate officers.” However in today's world, for corporations the main stakeholders are the shareholders, debtholders, trade creditors, suppliers, customers and communities affected by the corporation's activities. With CSR moving to the boardrooms and into the main foray it has received priority among corporations and their boards. CSR has put under spotlight a parallel 'good governance' model which puts under scrutiny the composition and behavior of corporate boards. A related but separate thread of discussions focuses on the impact of a corporate governance system on economic efficiency, with a strong emphasis on shareholders' welfare. There have been various thinkers who have unraveled the layers of corporate governance.

Letza, Szwajkowski & Vinten worked on broadly differentiating between the two perspectives of corporate governance which were the shareholder and stakeholder perspective.

Mr. Soumitro Chakraborty CEO, Innova ve Financial Advisors Pvt. Ltd. (Fiinova on)

However, as one delves deeper in this thought, a point which must be addressed should be to understand how to facilitate corporate governance process towards more responsible governance which looks at both CSR and good governance mechanisms. The solution to this layered debate is of fitment or amalgamation of responsibility towards the society by a Corporation. It is a fundamental understanding that no governance structure, corporation or otherwise can sustain itself without being responsible enough towards the society at large.

Since time immemorial, the dichotomy between the two schools of thought has existed and will exist for years to come. However, the confusion gets starker when the paradigm of social responsibility by the corporation becomes an end product of the profit that is defined in percentage of its allocation but is not a part of the process that leads to the profit. So, the way forward must look at the need of embedding and amalgamating Social Responsibility within the system of business. It is important to understand it cannot be taken care of as a responsibility of an exclusive department but as a responsibility of every department working cohesively towards the goals.

There have been various events in history that showed us that corporations who have adhered to the above mentioned philosophy have increased profits and become sustainable over a period of time.

They have also been able to withstand challenging times with the minimum negative impact.

Social Responsibility for the Corporation must not start and finish with allocation of percentage of profit and to invest in few projects. It needs to extend into the very depth of the overall functionality of the organization and could lead to devastating results if ignored. The stigma of not adhering to this philosophy can be brand sustainability, brand reputation & organizational perceptions which could include both internal and external.

Therefore, Social responsibility and Sustainability is no longer a subject of auxiliary importance but a stage-setter for organization who are competing fiercely in a given space. Hence, the matter is now no longer a subject of philanthropy discussion but needs to become one of the primary agendas of the corporate governance structure, to be discussed in detail by the policy makers inside the board room and the stakeholders outside. There is enough available evidence where companies have done exceptionally well in case of investments but very poorly on corporate governance, ethics and moral values which was also the reasons for some of the biggest scams.

It is one thing to imbibe social responsibility through the eyes of a percentile amount of your profit and it becomes very narrow in case of the impact is concerned. Corporations should not forget that the consumers are the drivers of any business who are a part of the same society for which the very existence of CSR prevails.

It is therefore the need of the hour for corporates and especially board room players to realize and adopt the standard of CSR with a special emphasis on labour policies, transactional policies, quality check processes, employee's welfare schemes and customer service mechanisms so on.

It is imperative for the business to understand that in such a volatile and competitive market where survival will be not only by marketing the product but will also be in giving enough importance to the fact that being responsible as an institution and with value proposition has gone beyond the delivery of product and services. It is no longer a question of survival but it is now the question of leading responsibly and surviving.

06

Fiinobservation of National Days World Cancer Day 4

World Day of Social Justice

February

20

February

International Mother Language Day 21 February

The world has come to a stage where Cancer is a household word, and this global epidemic have over the years affected so many lives that everyone knows someone who has been diagnosed with cancer or is fighting it.

World Cancer Day is celebrated on 4th February every year. The aim is to raise awareness about cancer and encourage people towards its prevention, detection, and treatment. This year, under the theme 'Not beyond us', people are being advised to take a positive and proactive approach towards the fight against cancer. The world needs to unite in this fight. Presently, 8.2 million people die every year from cancer worldwide, out of which, 4 million people die prematurely (aged 30 to 69 years). The disease seems to have taken a grip on India with a million new cases being reported each year. Fiinovation, a research organization working with corporations on CSR health projects in India, understands that there are solutions available and all stakeholders have a role to play in the battle against the disease.

It has been 70 years since the last world war that made nations realize the importance of peaceful and prosperous coexistence. Despite efforts by governments, civil society and individuals, we still see discrimination, inequality and social crisis. Today, religious intolerance has become a barrier for world peace. Currently, 16 peacekeeping operations led by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations are trying to resolve the humanitarian crisis across the world.

In order to promote efforts to tackle issues of poverty, unemployment, migration, internal displacements, and exclusion among others, the United Nations decided to observe 20th February as World Day of Social Justice. It is believed that social justice is achieved when discrimination because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability are removed.

Fiinovation believes that promotion of equitable distribution of income and greater access to resources is the need of the hour.

“To speak a language is to take on a world, a culture.”

- Frantz Fanon International Mother Language Day is observed in the memory of students who gave their lives to make Bangla a national language, while Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan. It was first announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999.

Widely considered as a symbol and protector of a culture, the need to maintain the sanctity of languages is all the more pronounced in the era of globalization, where immigration has become a norm and cultural imperialism has become a danger to the existence of glorious cultures around the world. Mother tongue is the thin, but strong string which binds a person with his roots no matter where one is living. One's mother language is much more than just a tool of communication, it speaks about hundreds of years of existence of people and their achievements, which shaped the present and made us who we are today.

Testimonial It is indeed a pleasure to begin my day reading this newsletter. It is a well researched and impressively designed document. There comes a small phase often for about 2 minutes when I get a bit bored thinking about CSR and the intensity of time it takes to bring about a change but reading such colourful, informative, analytical and appropriately pictorial documents brings back the CSR enthusiast in me. Thank you for your continuous efforts! Kudos.

- Nidhi Vatsa

07

Tweets of The Month aid_india

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Forthcoming Events 

India Corporate Governance & Sustainability Vision Summit (3rd Mar)

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Regional Dialogue on Sustainability Science Policy to Support Post 2015 Development Agenda (4th-6th Mar)

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Green Summit 2015 (23rd – 25th Apr)

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Sustainability 24 (15th May)



Smart Cities India 2015 (20th-22nd May)

About Fiinovation Fiinovation, a research based organization, is an integrated solution enabler in the CSR and sustainability domain. It is focused towards enhancing quality across organizational value chain through meaningful innovation thereby ensuring sustainability. It is Asia's first proposal research laboratory wherein research is focused primarily on four sectors, which include health, education, livelihood and environment. The practices: CSR-CSO Partnership, CSR Policy Design & Development, Programme Management, Impact Assessment and Sustainability Reporting help provide simple solutions to their partners.

Fiinovation 24/30, Ground Floor, Okhla Industrial Estate, Phase III New Delhi - 110020 Phone: 011-42332200 | Fax : 011-42332205 website: www.fiinovation.co.in | Email: media@fiinovation.co.in