The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata organized "A Symposium on Corporate Social Responsibility - Bringing the Stakeholders Together" on 3rd April (Thursday), 5.00 p.m. onwards at The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The programme brought together development agencies/foundations and corporates on a common platform to network and discuss the scope of CSR activities and to explore opportunities of partnerships. The programme created a forum where a select group of NGOs exhibited and presented their activities. The programme also featured a panel discussion involving senior representatives from corporates and NGOs to discuss and brainstorm on opportunities of partnership in activities for social development.

The focus areas were:

Health - Maternal and Child Nutrition/HIV/Tuberculosis/Water Sanitation

Clean Energy

Education- Early grade education

Agriculture

Over 150 invitees from corporates and NGOs, interested or already working in various sectors of social development, took part in the programme.

Ms. Helen LaFave, U S Consul General in Kolkata was also present at the programme.

The Panel Discussion was moderated by Ms. Kathryn Stevens, Deputy Mission Director, USAID and included,

Dr. A. Anurag Danda, Head - Climate Adaptation & Sundarbans Landscape, WWF-India

Mr. Anoop Hoon, President - Marketing, Century Plyboards (India) Limited

Mr. Diptarag Bhattacharjee, Vice President East, Amway India

Mr. Nazeeb Arif, Vice President, ITC Ltd.

Mr. Sunil Kanoria, Joint Managing Director, SREI Equipment Finance Pvt. Ltd and Vice Chairman, SREI Infrastructure Finance Ltd