Regional Social Investment Network, AVPN, launches Inaugural India Summit Promoting Strategic Social Investment in India’s Education Sector
Mumbai: Asian Venture Philanthropy Network, AVPN, the only pan-Asian network for social investors, will host its inaugural India Summit in Mumbai, India on 14th September 2017. The Summit theme “Investing for Impact in Education” reflects the most popular cause amongst AVPN members in India and the organisation’s focus on helping to maximize the impact of social investment through collaboration and knowledge sharing.
With over 380 members across 28 countries, AVPN is well known regionally as a platform, advocate and capacity builder for the social economy in Asia, but has had little activity in South Asia until launching an India office in August 2016. Now with nearly 17% of members in India, AVPN is kicking off an increased local presence with the inaugural India Summit this Fall.
At least 200 attendees are expected to attend the Summit, representing the diverse group of social investors that has become synonymous with AVPN gatherings. From philanthropic foundations such as EdelGive Foundation and MacArthur Foundation, corporates including Credit Suisse and Yes Bank to impact investors like Omidyar Network and Village Capital, the Summit will bring together funders and resource providers that represent best practice in the industry. A uniquely integrated investment showcase, the Deal Share Live, will also provide a platform for local social enterprises and non-profit organizations to share their experiences from the field throughout the event.
Secretary of Education & Literacy, Sh. Anil Swarup will kick off the Summit addressing the need for multi-sector collaboration between public and private funders and the social sector organisations working in the field.
Secretary Swarup will be joined by thought leaders and practitioners at the forefront of social investment and education in India. Shri Nand Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Department of Education and Sports, Maharashtra, will be highlighting key initiatives being implemented by different state governments and the roadmap for scalable and systemic improvement in learning outcomes, while Roopa Kudva, Partner and Managing Director of Omidyar Network, will share insights on the most effective way to maximize social impact through different forms of social investing from grants to debt and equity. With a mix of breakout sessions and workshops throughout the Summit, there will be a diverse range of topics such as “Successful Models for Early Childhood Education”, “Leadership Training in Schools”, and “Impact and Evaluation: Linking Assessments to Learning Outcomes”, for all stakeholders.
“This theme ‘Investing for Impact in Education’ is particularly pertinent because the majority of organizations in India focus on the education system,” says AVPN CEO Naina Batra. “The question of whether these investments have been strategic in their approaches to maximize impact remains problematically unanswered. Therefore, this gathering seeks to pave the way toward sustainable and strategic investments into the education ecosystem.”
Among other topics, the Summit will play host to the launch of AVPN’s latest research report: Funding Education with Impact. As an analysis on actionable investment opportunities in education in India, the report helps social investors maximize their impact through their funding by identifying areas with the biggest needs and potential partners for collaboration.