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A seminar on Dynamics of Transformative Cooperation in Business & Society: A Millennium Challenge on 7 - 8 November 2008 at BITS-Pilani

 

Background

Every organization, whether business or otherwise, has to be socially responsible in a democratic, dynamic and progressive society. No organization can work in complete isolation. There is perpetual action and reaction between individuals and society. Inevitably, the future of human society is very well connected to the future of the world economy and global business. In this context, business organizations have to play a very meaningful and responsible role in this millennium and can serve as a creative, entrepreneurial, and constructive force for change.  Corporates, media, health, education and environment sectors have started realizing fast that they are an integral part of the social fabric. No longer is corporate social responsibility a mere buzz phrase. Corporates now globally believe that profit can not remain the only aim of business at the cost of society.

Traditional commercial activities were exclusively confined to maximizing profit purely based on economic and commercial considerations without getting involved in social and humanitarian aspects of a business situation. But at present the entire social fabric is progressively undergoing a great transformation. The advent of science and technology, democracy, education and urge for freedom and free press have flung the world into a new society -   an egalitarian society based on transparent business and commercial standards.  The concept of social responsibility, which was a mere cliché a few years ago, has begun to find a major place in the boardroom agenda. There are numerous industries and organizations working relentlessly in various spheres of community work.  Contemporary business leaders and thinkers are articulating the future vision of business as an agent of world benefit. In short, there is a paradigm shift.In this millennium many economic, legal, ethical and technological questions and issues about business and society are under debate even by the UN Global Compact. This period is turbulent in the sense that it has been characterized by significant changes in the economy, in society, in technology and in global relationships.

Seminar and its Objectives

Against this continuing turbulence in the business-society relationships, there is a need to discuss ideas that are fundamental to an understanding of where we are and how a more cooperative and harmonious relationship between business and society could be developed. Accordingly, the Humanistic Studies Group, BITS Pilani proposes to organize a seminar on “Dynamics of Transformative Cooperation in Business & Society: A Millennium Challenge” at BITS Pilani during 7-8 November 2008.

The main objective of the seminar is to bring together all the stakeholders on a common platform to share their experiences, to review, strengthen and to shed more light on the advances in social initiatives. It is expected to highlight various examples of social initiatives as models which can be replicated. The seminar will focus on the following issues:
  • Identifying and analyzing of significance of social initiatives as promoted and practiced by various business groups;
  • Promoting connection among academicians, professionals, corporates, NGOs, Civil Societies and media on issues of CSR;
  • Developing and encouraging the advancement of spirit of the universal principles of UN Global Compact amongst corporate organizations;
  • Understanding corporate response to education, health, environmental and climatic change issues;
  • Inculcating eternal leadership values into education;
  • Analyzing the social dynamics of business and society and formulating processes and methods required for generating new designs to allow shared visions for the future.


Target group

The seminar is open to professionals from industry, government departments, civil society members, students, and faculty and media personnel.