Canada sponsors seminar on corporate social responsibility

New Delhi, Apr.29 (ANI): The High Commission of Canada, New Delhi, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), will jointly host the Canada-India conclave on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on Friday, April 30, 2010 at Hotel Le Meridian, New Delhi.

he seminar aims to showcase CSR policies and best practices and successful engagement with stake-holders. It will highlight how Canadian and Indian companies are implementing CSR practices focussed on local needs and priorities.

Santha Sheela Nair, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India will be the Chief Guest at the conclave. Some of the eminent speakers at the event are Mr Joseph Caron, High Commissioner of Canada; Mr Pooran C. Pandey, Director, Times Foundation; Ms Amita V. Joseph, Director, Business and Community Foundation; Dr Nik Senapati, Managing Director, Rio Tinto - India and Dr Avanish Kumar, In-Charge of CSR at the GMR Group.

Dr. Jan Boon, Emeritus Scientist, International Division, Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada, will be the principal interlocutor from the Canadian side.

The Government of Canada works with the Canadian business community, civil society groups and with foreign governments to foster and promote CSR. The Government of Canada encourages all anadian companies working internationally to respect all applicable laws and international standards, to operate transparently and in consultation with the host government and local communities, and to develop and implement CSR best practices. Internationally-agreed voluntary principles are a key part of Canada's CSR approach.

Canada also encourages countries to effectively manage various sectors with an emphasis on economic and social development, environmental stewardship and respect for human and labour rights, including the transparent development of legislation which strikes a balance between host government responsibilities and corporate activity.

At the seminar, representatives from industry, civil society and the Indian and Canadian Governments will discuss different perceptions and practices of CSR and the issues involved when corporations interact with stake holders in society.

Corporate Social Responsibility has become an important element in corporate planning. It is the way in which companies integrate social, environmental and economic concerns into their values and operations in a transparent and accountable manner. It is integral to long-term business growth and success. CSR initiatives are broad ranging and include activities by individual companies and industry sectors as well as international standards and norms endorsed and promoted by governments.(ANI)