Introduction

FICCI & FICCI-SEDF

Set up in 1927, FICCI is the largest and oldest apex business organization of Indian business. With a nationwide membership of 500 chambers of commerce and business associations and an expanding membership of enterprises drawn from large, medium, small and tiny segments of manufacturing, distributive trade and services, FICCI promotes the spirit of enterprise that will make India a globally competitive and socially responsible economy.

FICCI stands for quality, competitiveness, transparency, accountability and business-government-civil society partnerships to spread ethics -based business practices and to enhance the quality of life for common people. FICCI has earnestly strived to enhance the quality of life of the people of our nation and to build an economically vibrant India, in keeping with Mahatma Gandhi's dream.

Today, besides commercial activities, FICCI supports several humanitarian endeavours, through the Socio-Economic Development Foundation (FICCI-SEDF). Established in 1995, for promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) among FICCI members, the foundation has successfully influenced their participation in various social welfare programmes.

Sensitisation and capacity-building of corporate members was the first step. Instilling self-motivation among members and creating awareness about their social obligations… Reminding them that they have a certain degree of responsibility towards their fellow human beings in society… All this has been effectively highlighted and conveyed by FICCI-SEDF, together with the path to be followed, the relevant know-how and technical assistance. Charity, as the saying goes, begins at home. By instituting socially responsible practices within their own fold, these organisations realised that they would be the gainers - of a happier and healthier workforce, increased efficiency, higher productivity and conservation of their most valuable resource - their human resources. In the end it becomes a win-win situation for all - the companies, their staff, the economy and, ultimately, our Nation.

Seminars, workshops and orientation programmes on socially relevant themes have been organised in this connection by FICCI-SEDF jointly with international agencies like UNFPA, ILO UNICEF and UNDP, besides ministries of the government of India, for corporate managers and trade union leaders. NGOs have also been brought into the ambit of this endeavour. FICCI-SEDF provides them with training on relevant issues.

Advocacy and policy formulation in respect of social and CSR issues form the core of FICCI-SEDF interventions, covering a wide range of issues such as, population moderation, child labour, gender-based issues in the workplace, labour welfare, HIV/AIDS, empowerment of disabled persons, providing assistance to disabled defence personnel and their families, timely mobilisation of corporate resources and strength at times of natural disasters, to name a few…

Good work never goes unrecognised or unacknowledged. In1999, FICCI-SEDF instituted India's first Corporate Social Responsiveness Award, to felicitate and encourage corporate houses for promoting business with conscience.

Thus, day-by-day, the circle of awareness spread by FICCI-SEDF grows wider.

Mission Statement

To provide an institutional base to the social sector activities of the corporate sector and to promote corporate social responsibility amongst the members of FICCI.

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Objectives

• Assist FICCI members in identification and implementation of social development projects
• Bring together various stakeholders for improving the quality of life of people
• Design and implement projects in the social sector

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