Centre for Ethical Business Initiatives-Life with three C’s- Community, Commerce, Corporate)

Centre for Ethical Business Initiatives

Life with three C’s- Community, Commerce, Corporate)

Strange is our situation here on Earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: that man is here for the sake of other men. Albert Einstein

RATIONALE


The corporate and private sector is crucial for any country and region’s equitable and sustainable growth, contributing directly and indirectly to its economic progress by generating employment, creating infrastructure, wealth and global competence. The ongoing globalization of trade, commerce and dynamics of a fast moving global economy have transformed the role and responsibilities of the corporate and private sector to influence future economic trends and Govt. policies.
India’s GDP is growing at the rate of 9% and is expected to touch 10% in the coming days; the Indian economy is on the upswing and Indian corporate houses like Tata, Reliance, Infosys, Wipro, Satyam, Bharti Telecom etc. have successfully made their presence felt on the global scene, acquiring companies in USA, UK and Europe to expand their global reach, competitiveness and to increase profits. This year, India’s numbers of billionaires overtook that of Japan.

Notwithstanding this, around 40 % of Indians are living in stressed economic conditions with the number increasing at a rapid rate. This segment of the society has yet to taste the fruits of the economic boom. School dropout rate is growing, a large part of the farming community is marginalized and many are forced to take extreme steps. The majority of our rural population is still dependent on agriculture for its livelihood, however the share of agriculture in India’s GDP has declined from 59% in 1950-51 to 20% in 2005-2006. Needless to say the benefits of growth and prosperity are not reaching the rural poor.

In spite of the phenomenal surge in the economic growth over the past decades, in UN Human Development Index list, India remains far behind with countries such as Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand etc.

CORPORATE INDIA AND SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS

There are those who offer lip services to “paying back their debt to society” and there are others, who genuinely believe in making difference by investing a lot into the well being of the society.

Despite various efforts at different levels for overall development of the country, the corporate sector remains misunderstood and continues to face criticism for its lack of understanding of human, gender, health, education, human rights and environmental issues.

The time has come to promote a culture of discussion, dialogue, mutual understanding, partnership, sharing of knowledge and resources, building networks of like minded individuals, professionals, NGOs/CSO’s and corporate families. Tangible results can be brought only by building bridges between the shareholder and the stakeholder. It is possible to utilise the enormous potential of the private sector for sustainable and all round development of the country and region.

e-Mail: cebi4d@gmail.com

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda of a corporation reflects its social conscience and commitments to the community and society at large within which it operates. In the past few years with liberalized and open economy, Indian companies have increasingly come to realize CSR is an investment with multiple benefits for the corporate sector for equitable socio-economic development of the region. Infosys Foundation, Ajim Premji Foundation, Ratan Tata Foundation , ITC’s e-Choupal project, Shakti project of HLL , Milinda and Bill Gate Foundation are a few such examples of growing philanthropy in recent times.

However, Corporate Institutions in India, though more sensitive towards CSR as compared to elsewhere, with all the resources at their command, remain constrained in terms of their understanding and reach e.g. socially, culturally, geographically and demographically. Given the size of our country, the diverse and multiple problems therein, the efforts of corporations appear insignificant, not properly guided or inappropriately targeted

ABOUT CEBI

Center for Ethical Business Initiatives (CEBI) is an outcome of two decades of experience, expertise and knowledge of 3C’s (Community, Commerce and Corporate). It has been launched to bridge the gap between objectives of CSR and an appropriate strategy for comprehensive societal development that addresses the concerns of those at the bottom of the prosperity pyramid, through measures like sensitization on fragile issues, their ground realities, ongoing Govt. schemes, success stories, capacity building and training in a focused manner.

CEBI is an offshoot of SEWAA, an Uttarakhand based not for profit organization working on the philosophy and agenda set by UN under their Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

SEWAA believes in and is committed towards the attainment of MDG’s objectives of healthy, literate, hunger and poverty free, environmentally sustainable society with gender equality through local, regional and global partnerships. Under "CEBI", we will work to bridge the conceptual, ideological and conviction divides between corporate and social sector and to evolve business ethics for sustainable economic prosperity and peace. We strongly believe that this will also help to develop a plausible framework and mechanism for business growth balanced with positive change in the stakeholder community.

MISSION

• Advocacy for developing Ethical Business Practices for Economic, Social and Democratic Transformation in South Asian Region with network partners.

• To develop a strategic partnership between Corporate and Social Development sector that is rule-based, accountable, participatory, predictable, environmental friendly, democratic, non-discriminatory and corruption free for the betterment of human kind and their inclusive growth.

• To organize advocacy, research, capacity building/sensitization programs to transform the future generation and change the mindset of young and future corporate managers.

e-Mail: cebi4d@gmail.com

WORKING APPROACH

Built around its dual working approach, CEBI's program action is further differentiated into participatory interventions that form the framework for goal-setting, implementation of activities and outcomes assessment. Each intervention has a distinct objective, attainable through specified activities, which is supported by various research oriented methodologies e.g. Ethnography, PRA and PAR etc. In addition, CEBI works towards continuously strengthening its capacity and outreach through a coordinated series of activities with its partner organizations.
It strives to enable individuals and organizations to add value through exchange of knowledge and experience of best practices in culturally, ethnically appropriate, socially viable, environmentally sustainable and commercially workable ways.

OUR MANDATE

CEBI’s work focuses on community, region and problem specific issues. However, we understand that its aims cannot be achieved in isolation from global trends and demands. Hence we welcome and invite locally relevant, regionally active and international concerned citizens and orgnaisations to bring value to our conviction and philosophy.

OUR SERVICES

• Training, Awareness, Capacity Building and Sensitizing: activities that bring general attitude and behavior change about the corporate sector’s role in development. Based on an appreciation of CSR principles, workshops, customized training program will be organized with cross–sectoral linkages and opportunity for field exposures.

• Advocacy and Lobbying: by disseminating and facilitating issues and developing regional based policies and working systems and mobilizing popular support in favor of CSR policy.

• Social Research, Audit and Assessment Survey: National CSR baseline and case studies, collection of primary and secondary data for reviews, comparative analysis for developing locally relevant applications.

• Policy Reforms and Initiatives: through facilitating development and dissemination of CSR policies and system.

• Promoting Social Venture Capital Funds: Support micro level socio-entrepreneurs with fund management and seed money to execute projects.

• CSR related Investments: Assist willing corporate entities and the private sector to identify the most viable, feasible, workable and sustainable projects at implementation level.

• Promoting PPP** with Triple Bottom Model: can work to accelerate the process of PPP (Public Pvt. Partnership) models to keep in mind the triple Bottom line (Socially, Environmentally and commercially) viable

• Developing Resource Center and Help line: Offering total CSR related solutions and developing a resource center for our partners and stakeholders.

• ICT4D (ICT for Development): Our specialization is on ICT4D related projects, in which we have experience in some prestigious projects at grassroots level e.g. C-LIFTT, GN-2000 (Garhwal Knowledge Network) under Asia Pacific Mountain Network (APMN) with ICIMOD/Nepal, SITA (e-Waste for Digital Empowerment) a CSR initiative of prestigious Doon School, RTC (Rural Tele-Center) and many more at policy and advocacy level including one at WSIS, ITU/Geneva. SEWAA partner with other INGOs, NGOs, GOs, Educational and Research institutes like CQU/Australia, GB Pant Agriculture University/India, UNESCAP/Thailand, Panos South Asia, ICIMOD/Nepal, OneWorld South- Asia, WSIS/Geneva, GKP/Malaysia, Govt. of India and state Govt. of Uttarakhand etc.

e-Mail: cebi4d@gmail.com

We have vast local, regional and global knowledge and expertise in handling prestigious community development projects on Environment/Biodiversity Conservation and Education, formal and vocational skill development programs (thru Open and Distance mode) using ICT tools, SWM (Solid Waste Management), ICT4D (ICT for Development), Developing Knowledge Center, Advocacy, Research, Training, Capacity Building, Lobbying, Micro-Finance, Health related and consulted various other responsible business venture (SME) .

Key Resource Members & Advisors
1. Brig. K. G. Behl (Retd.): Ex Dy. Survey General of India
2. Dr. S.K. Mukherjee, IFS (Ex- Director- Wildlife Institute of India)
3. Dr. M.H. Khalid, Environment and Climate Change Expert , New Delhi
4. Mr. Yovesh Suri, Corporate and HR Consultant, New Delhi
5. Ms. Reena Jaggi, Special Educator and Trainer
6. Ms. Sofia Mancini Griffoli, Development Consultant, Italy
7. Ms. Surekha Sule, Rural Development Expert and Sr. Journalist, Mumbai
8. Dr. Vivek Agarwal, SWM Expert and UN Habitat Awardee, Jaipur
9. Ms. Ambreen Wahid, Executive Director, RBI Lahore, Pakistan
10. Dr. Anand K Rai, Community Moralizer and Scientist –Environment Sciences,
11. Mr. Aroon Kalsi, Socio-Entrepreneur, Goa
12. Mr. Partha Sarkar, Information Activist and founder Bytesforall.org, Dhaka/Canada
13. Ms. Anupama Jha, Women Activist and Sr. Journalist, New Delhi
14. Mr. Rajiv Jindal , Corporate Charted Accountant, Uttarakhand
Our Ideological & Technical Partners
1. Responsible Business Initiatives (RBI), Lahore/Pakistan
2. Centre for Development Communication (CDC), Jaipur
3. International Institute of Technological and Management (IITM), Dhaka/Bangladesh
4. Swami Arun Chaitanya, Chinmaya Mission, Uttarakhand, India
5. Mr. G. Sharma, Kathmandu/Nepal
6. Dr. Nidhi Nagabhatla, Scientist , IWMI , Sri Lanka
7. Ms. Daisy N. Khan, LBSNAA (IAS Academy), Mussoorie
8. Dr. Roger Harris Asian Encounter, HongKong
Contact Coordinator
Mr. Anil Jaggi (ICT4D Consultant and Chief functionary), INDIA
Ms. Tanya Jakimow (PhD Student, Melbourne University), INDIA/Australia
Ms. Mridu Thanki, Development Consultant. Edinburgh /UK
CENTRE FOR ETHICAL BUSINESS INITIATIVES
C/o SEWAA, 34 Mohini Road (Dalanwala), Dehradun 248001 (India)
Tel: +91-135-2672190, Cell: +91-9412009273, +91-9997273983 Email: cebi4d@gmail.com
e-Mail: cebi4d@gmail.com
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