International Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (ICCSR) at Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna: A Resounding Success

Patna  – The Centre for CSR Studies at Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna recently hosted a two-day International Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (ICCSR 2023) on December 8th and 9th, 2023. The event brought together eminent guests and experts from various sectors to discuss and deliberate on the crucial role of CSR in today’s context.
The inaugural ceremony on December 8th witnessed the esteemed presence of Shri. Vivek Kumar Singh, IAS, Development Commissioner, Bihar Government; Shri Ajay Kr. Gupta, DGM NABARD (Bihar); Dr. Amit Kr. Thakur, Associate Director, Social Transformation and CSR, TERI New Delhi; Shri. Srinivas Chary Vedala, Director Administrative Staff College of India ASCI and CEO at WASH Innovation Hub ASCI, and Ms. Keerti, State Head Office United Nations Population Fund UNFPA.
Director of CIMP, Prof. (Dr.) Rana Singh, in his welcome address emphasized the significance of CSR beyond being a buzzword, highlighting its necessity for growth and development in today’s corporate world. Dr. Jyoti Verma, the conference chairperson, underscored the importance and needs of CSR, especially in sustainable governance.
The event received an overwhelming response with a total of 101 papers submitted. A rigorous selection process resulted in the acceptance of 54 papers for presentation during the conference.
The sessions covered a diverse range of topics, from stakeholder capitalism to examining ESG scores, climate change mitigation, and analyzing progress in CSR. Speakers also discussed innovative solutions for issues such as climate change, domestic violence, and sustainable biodegradable napkins.
Dr. Vivek Kumar Singh IAS, honourable development commissioner, offered a unique perspective on CSR, emphasizing the need for consciousness and passion in social activities. He announced the Bihar government’s initiative to establish a cell dedicated to CSR in collaboration with CIMP.
Parallel sessions covered a wide array of topics, including Swachata mission in Hindi cinema, awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease, fintech’s impact on the modern financial sector, and rehabilitation of released prisoners. The presentations reflected the growing role of technology in addressing various societal challenges, from agriculture to health and justice.
Session III featured a special address by Prof. (Dr.) Miriam Erez from Technion University Israel, focusing on introducing innovation to enhance sustainability. The importance of achieving a balance between innovation and sustainability was discussed, with examples linking natural resource usage and population growth.
A panel discussion in Session IV included prominent figures from various sectors, offering insights into the increasing focus of corporate organizations towards the environment, stakeholder engagement, and the interplay between business and the environment.
Sessions V and VI continued to delve into specific topics, ranging from CSR and cyber awareness to corporate accountability, health welfare, and sustainable livelihood.
The event concluded with a keynote address by Prof. (Dr.) Luu Trong Tuan, Associate Professor at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, who provided a detailed research presentation on CSR focusing on awareness, communication, embedding, and evaluation.
Prof. (Dr.) Sivananda Senapati, Assistant Professor at CIMP, presented a comprehensive summary of the conference, highlighting key discussions and insights shared by experts from diverse sectors.
Shri Rusen Kumar, Founder of India CSR, extended heartfelt congratulations to CIMP for hosting the conference for the third consecutive year, acknowledging its commitment to advancing CSR discourse.
Mrs. Reena Gupta, Entrepreneur & Author, TiE Silicon Valley Charter Member & Youth Chair, California, emphasized the importance of Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) alongside Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), underlining the role of individuals in contributing to societal well-being.
Prof. (Dr.) Sapna Narula, Dean School of Management Studies, Nalanda University, underscored the need to create a clean and sustainable environment for the next generation, emphasizing the responsibility of both corporations and individuals in achieving this goal.
Shri Vivek Prakash, VP and Head, CSR, Jubilant Ingrevia, commended the young generation for its potential to present sustainable solutions to global issues. He highlighted the role of CSR in supporting the youth’s endeavors and encouraged their active participation in creating a positive impact.
The Chief Guest, Shri Shivendra Pandeya, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, emphasized the crucial role of a robust CSR mechanism in addressing societal challenges. His insights provided a broader perspective on the impact of CSR initiatives.
Kumod Kumar, the Chairperson of the Centre for CSR Studies (CIMP), expressed gratitude in his vote of thanks, extending appreciation to all paper presenters, sponsors, chief guests, and guests of honor for their valuable contributions.
Professor Jyoti Verma, the Chairperson of the conference, extended special thanks to NABARD as the sponsor partner, TERI as the technical partner, and UNICEF as the sponsoring partner for their crucial support in making ICCSR 2023 a success.
The Best Paper Award was presented to Atul Ghorpade & Sabuj Kumar Mandal for their outstanding contribution in the paper titled “Mandatory CSR and Firm Performance: Evidence from India.” Additionally, the Young Scholar Award was conferred upon Pradyut Priyadarshini Mishra & Abinash Sahoo for their paper titled “Integrating Corporate Social Responsibility and Gross National Happiness: A Path to Sustainable Wellbeing.”
Pradyut Priyadarshini Mishra & Abinash Sahoo were honored with the Young Scholar Award for their paper, which explored the integration of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Gross National Happiness as a means to achieve sustainable wellbeing.
In recognition of their outstanding achievements, both sets of winners were awarded a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 each. The awards not only celebrate excellence in research but also encourage scholars to continue contributing valuable insights to the field of Corporate Social Responsibility.
The conference facilitated rich discussions, fostering a collaborative spirit towards addressing societal challenges through CSR. The organizers expressed gratitude to the participants, sponsors, and volunteers for making ICCSR 2023 a resounding success.
The theme for next year’s ICCSR is CSR, Responsible Leadership, and Social Entrepreneurship for value creation, and the dates for the conference have been decided to be 6th & 7th December 2023.