NGOs, corporates to explore ways of working together

Non-government Organisations and Corporate Social Responsibility teams will get a platform to form alliances at the NGO India, 2012 organised by United Business Media India from March 16 to 18 in New Delhi.

The event will help CEOs and CSR specialists to identify opportunities and share best practices in the area of human development. Actor Rahul Bose will inaugurate the first edition of NGO India on March 16 in Gurgaon and the exhibition-cum-conference will open for general public on March 18.

Bose urges the corporate and NGO sectors to join hands and create an inclusive India. “I have been Oxfam’s global brand ambassador for seven years and also closely associated with Oxfam India since its inception almost four years ago. I am personally committed to working with women, Dalits, Muslims and the tribals as they are not benefitting from the country’s development and need our support,” he said.

The event is supported by Oxfam India, IBM, Guidestar India, The National Trust, The Economic Times and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. These institutions will host stalls from close to 150 NGOs and foundations. They will have the opportunity to profile the work they do in front of an audience comprising India’s corporate houses.

Nisha Agrawal, CEO of Oxfam India said funds from foreign donors have dried up which is acting as a barrier towards providing a better living environment for many. “It is extremely important that both individuals and corporates step in to fill the void created by the departure of foreign aid from India. This event provides a great opportunity to showcase the excellent work that NGOs are doing to the corporate sector and to interested citizens.”

Sanjeev Khaira, managing director of UBM India said: “We have seen tremendous benefits to NGOs that have participated in our events in London and Brazil and we hope to replicate this success in India. It has been an excellent platform for NGOs to highlight their work and for CSR professionals to identify and network with NGOs operating in a large number of fields and geographies.”