Amidst the global need for sustainable practices in businesses; IIM Shillong, keeping up with the global issues, concluded the 4
th Annual International Sustainability Conference SUSCON 2015 on 13
th March. The theme of this year SUSCON was Sustainability: People, Policies and Practices.
The conference provided a multidisciplinary brain storming platform of thinkers, academicians, government officials, civil society groups, corporate magnates and grass roots activists to initiate and discuss about sustainability along its varied dimensions. The three day conference was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Mr. Shubhenjit Chaudhuri, Chief Sustainability Officer, Tata Steel in the presence of Professor Amitabh De, Director IIM Shillong on 11
th March. In his inaugural speech, he stressed upon the importance of sustainability. He also spoke about the successful implementation of sustainable practices at Tata Steel’s operations and how these initiatives have reaped in benefits to the organisation with a special mention about the Green Supply Chain initiative taken by the organisation. The Guest of Honour on the occasion Mr. David Sinate, CGM, Exim Bank, India laid emphasis on the Exim Bank’s policies and reiterated the bank’s commitment towards sustainability. Professor Sanjoy Mukherjee, Chairman SUSCON-2015, in his address speech, emphasized the importance of human values and how human values form the core of sustainability.
The conference witnessed paper presentations on multiple dimensions of sustainability. The highlight of the conference were the Plenary sessions where in distinguished and renowned speakers from industry and academic institutes like Shri C N Rao, Shri Dinni Lingaraj, Shri Somedeb Banerjee, Prof. Vidyanad Jha, Shri A. Zulfi, Shri Vinayak Lohani, and Prof. R. M. Pant stressed upon the importance of Sustainability, economy of the nation, education sector, organisation and its future leadership.
The conference concluded with the valedictory function followed by an electrifying cultural programme by the local artists showcasing the cultural heritage and diversity of the 7 North Eastern states of India popularly referred to as the 7 sisters.
Leveraging the unique assets and expertise of IIM Shillong as a hub of sustainability in business, this Conference covered global perspectives and practices, keeping in view both national priorities as well as regional challenges. The conference provided a unique and great opportunity not only for those interested in research & academia, but also for students interested in joining the corporate world, as it enlightened the young and budding minds on the strategic solutions to the contemporary issues of adopting sustainable business practices faced by the global economies.
Author: Sudarshan Kumar Dey
He is a first year PGDM student at IIM Shillong and is an avid Golfer
