Such programs include IBM's Corporate Service Corps (CSC), which sends teams of some of IBM's most talented employees to provide pro bono counsel to countries in the developing world that are grappling with issues that intersect business, technology, and society. With panelists such as Ms. Mamtha Sharma- Country Manager, Corporate Citizenship & Community Affairs, IBM India/South Asia ; Ms. Sheila Nambiar- Executive, Sales Transaction Support, also Alumni- IBM CSC programme; Mr. Srikrishnan Sundarajan- Lab Services Leader & Programme Director, India Software Lab & Alumni- IBM CSC programme; Dr. Arvind G. Risbudh- Executive Director Myrada, an NGO supported through CSC, the issues raised and discussed were the changing dynamics of CSR and stimulation of an individual through such skilled volunteering, problem solving initiatives.
“CSR is in our very DNA and we are committed towards the development of society and communities. Our unique initiative "Corporate Service Corps" is completing 5 years of strong, impactful work in India. Part of our global CSR initiative, this project places high performing, talented employees from across the world in non-profit organizations in emerging countries for a period of four weeks. Globally, more than 2400 IBM employees have been deployed on more than 500 projects across 30 countries and continue to expand to more countries going forward. Nearly 328 IBMers from India have gone to other emerging countries on similar volunteering assignments. As we complete 5 years of our presence here, we are looking forward to touch many more lives through our CSC initiative and work towards betterment in areas of education, Rural Development, Women Empowerment, and more," said Mamtha Sharma, Country Manager, Corporate Citizenship & Community Affairs, IBM India/South Asia.
The second phase of the event answered the why and how of corporate volunteering through a panel discussions with speakers such as Mr. Vijay Shankar-Head Public & Corporate Affairs, Intel India/South Asia, Intel; Dr. Mena Ranganathan Director Community Outreach, GMR; Mr. K. Parthiban-Additional General Manager - HR, BHEL; Mr. Sunil S Bhat -GM Priority Banking and Financial Inclusion, Canara Bank who gave insights into various aspects of volunteering trends along with the challenges faced in employee volunteering.
On the occasion of the event, Rita Soni, CEO NASSCOM Foundation commented, “NASSCOM Foundation has always collaborated with the IT organisations to promote strategic corporate volunteering and its evolution as an employee engagement tool. Such events are aimed to provide a platform for cross industry sharing of the best volunteering practices and to understand the challenges faced. On the whole we aim to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism”.
The theme of the event was to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism and the importance of volunteering as an effective tool for employee engagement. The event also aimed to pave way for greater thought leadership within the domain of volunteering; a process of learning, unlearning and relearning of what suits best for the respective industry in order to impact the lives across the globe.
About NASSCOM Foundation:
NASSCOM Foundation is driving technology for good. The Foundation’s work is just as expansive and evolutionary as the potential that technology and corporate India entail. Drawing strength from its parent body NASSCOM, the Foundation works in partnership with four major stakeholders: NASSCOM member companies, NGOs, emerging social enterprises and Government, changing India bit by bit, a journey to foster a strategic relationship between technology and development. NASSCOM Foundation is a charity registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 and under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act. Please visit www.nasscomfoundation.org for more information
About IBM Corporate Service Corps:
IBM's Corporate Service Corps deploys teams of IBM employees from around the world with skills in technology, scientific research, marketing, finance, human resources, law, and economic development. As part of their assignments, they work with local government, nonprofit civic groups, and small business to develop blueprints that touch issues ranging from economic development, energy and transportation, to education and health care. Corporate Service Corps is considered the largest program of its kind. By year's end, approximately 2,400 IBM employees based in 50 countries will have been dispatched on more than 187 engagements, and undertaking 850 team assignments in 34 countries since the founding of Corporate Service Corps five years ago, in 2008.
