Jamshedpur: XLRI- Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur hosts the 9th National Conference on ‘Social Entrepreneurship’ on 27 to 29 January, 2017. Around 150-170 social entrepreneurs, development sector professionals, policy makers, academics and management students are expected to assemble. The theme of this year conference is “Entrepreneurship for a Sustainable Planet” at the 3-day conference to be held at XLRI Campus in Jamshedpur.
Prof. Madhukar Shukla, Chairperson of XLRI’s Fr Arrupe Center for Ecology & Sustainability and the coordinator for the conference said, “Since mid-20th century, following the industrial and post-industrial revolution the size and scale of human enterprises have grown exponentially. However, this growth has also subjected nature, and the manifold benefits it provides to humanity, to an increasing risk. The 21st century presents humanity with a dual challenge to maintain the balance of nature in all of its many forms and functions and to create an equitable home for people on a finite planet. While the interdependence between the social, economic and environmental agendas is gradually being recognized at the highest levels (as defined in the Sustainable Development Goals), over the years, numerous entrepreneurial individuals have been experimenting and developing models of sustainable living.”
“The primary objective of the conference is to showcase innovative social entrepreneurial ventures by individual entrepreneurs, NGOs, corporates, and government agencies, and to provide a common platform for development sector professionals for sharing experiences, issues and knowledge,” Prof. Shukla further added.
The Keynote Speaker will be Mr. MV Ashok (Chief General Manager (Economic Analysis & Research), NABARD HO). Among the eminent speakers at the conference are Anshu Gupta (Founder – Goonj) and Harish Hande (Founder & Chairman, SELCO Solar India) both of whom are recipients of Ramon Magsaysay Award; Joe Madiath (Founder & Chairman, Gram Vikas). He is also the recipient of Kyoto World Water Grand Prize and UNESCO’s global award for his work on water and sanitation issues; Poonam Bir Kasturi (Founder & Director, Daily Dump) who is the recipient of “Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2016” given during World Economic Forum.
Various sessions would be held at the conference: Options for Clean Energy; Rejuvenating Land & Biodiversity; Initiatives in Managing Water Resources; Technological Solutions for Sustainability; Models for Sustainable Agriculture; Creating Sustainable Communities; Upcycling Waste to Resource; and Promoting Sustainability Mindset & Practices.
The conference is organized by Fr Arrupe Centre for Ecology and Sustainability (FACES) and SIGMA, XLRI’s students’ committee for social initiatives.
