'Corporates can use ACE cards for reaching social development goals targets', says UNICEF chief of nutrition

Senior Correspondent

NewsBits.in

INDORE: A panel discussion on social infrastructure financing was held on Wednesday at the Global Investor Summit in Indore hosted by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

Ashok Barnwal, additional chief secretary, government of Madhya Pradesh spoke on the efforts of the state government in the social sector and its commitment to move forward in social sector development.

Subsequently, Faggan Singh Kulaste, union minister of state for rural development spoke on the positive environment in India and Madhya Pradesh and the need to focus on health and education in the social sector.

Among the speakers, Dr Santosh Mathew, Country lead, Public Policy and Finance of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation built a case on the need to focus on delivery of health services and quoted examples of efforts being made in MP and India. He added that long term vision should be used to build a system that provides timely access to quality health care for every Indian citizen.

Arjan de Wagt, Chief, Nutrition, UNICEF India, while speaking at the panel said that for reaching sustainable development goals particularly for women and children, support of public and private sector institutions is needed. “When it comes to SDGs and social infrastructure, I see three overlapping circles of reach and impact by the private sector - customers, clients and communities where you work.

Corporates can use their ACE card - Assets, look at your business and what you can do with your assets, contribute CSR funds and engage employees in making a change” he said.He quoted the example of Impact4Nutrition, which is a coalition of companies for making a change on nutrition. in India and MP, in this context.

Hoe Yun Jeong, deputy country director (India), Asian Development Bank, shared the efforts of the MP government with various departments on infrastructure and skill building of young people and support to institutions in the state. Shaveta Sharma Kukreja, CEO and managing director, Central Square Foundation (CSF) praised the MP government.

This was regarding the efforts to enhance literacy among children and efforts being done by CSF in partnership with the school education department through Nipun Bharat initiative.V Vijaywardhan, Head, Social Investments ITC foundation spoke on the efforts of the foundation with examples for making a change in Madhya Pradesh. Abhishek Lakhtakia of JSW Foundation spoke on their work in the state.