The SMX CSR Leadership Summit & Awards 3.0 celebrated impactful initiatives, with The Art of Living and Schneider Electric India Foundation receiving the Best CSR Impact Award for Solar Electrification, which demonstrated their joint commitment towards driving positive change & promoting a sustainable energy future. The Art of Living also bagged the prestigious Best CSR Impact Award for Forestation/Reforestation, recognizing their commendable efforts in restoring mangroves in the Sunderbans project.
Powerful Voices, Powerful Impact
On February 15, 2024, the summit featured Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as the keynote speaker, injecting profound wisdom into the event. Gurudev highlighted the importance of having the right mindset and praised companies and NGOs for their excellent CSR work. He emphasized the need to approach CSR with genuine compassion, pointing out how spirituality can prevent burnout and promote overall lifestyle changes.
Shri Prasana Prabhu, representing The Art of Living, passionately underscored the significance of trust and connection in fostering sustainable change. Aditya Pachpande, Co-Founder of Nextgen Innov8, echoed Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy, intertwining innovation, social entrepreneurship, and positive change.
Networking, Collaboration and an Exchange of Best Practices
Set against the vibrant backdrop of The Art of Living International Centre in Bengaluru, and organized by NEXTGEN INNOV8, SMX CSR Leadership 3.0 seamlessly brought together CSR Heads, representatives from the CSR Desk of the Government of India, stakeholders from the Ministry of Commerce, CEOs, top industry leaders, and distinguished NGOs from India and beyond. The summit served as a dynamic platform to celebrate their achievements, exchange insights, exchange crucial learning outcomes and showcase the best practices employed. Additionally, the summit offered a unique opportunity for networking, fostering collaboration and camaraderie among CSR professionals.
A Pivotal Year for India’s CSR Landscape
This year’s SMX CSR Leadership Summit & Awards 3.0 held special significance for India as it commemorated 75 years of freedom, symbolizing liberation from exploitation of our nation, people, and resources. As we take on the G20 presidency, the focus revolves around discussions concerning sustainable development, socioeconomic growth and the challenges posed by climate change. This juncture is particularly notable for individuals in the development sector, especially corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals, whose numbers have quadrupled in the last decade. Simultaneously celebrating 10 years of mandated CSR in the country, their tireless efforts align with broader government objectives and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SMX CSR Leadership 3.0 transcended the typical corporate gathering. It emerged as a forum for knowledge exchange, inspiration, and a collective commitment to advancing CSR in its true spirit. The event revealed the transformative power of conscious corporate responsibility, highlighting its potential to bring about positive change on a global scale.
