Events

Developing countries are struggling to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals due to limited resources. Corporations, with their large technological, financial, and managerial resources, have the means to contribute to the social development agenda of a country. India conducted a unique experiment by making it mandatory for large firms to spend 2 per cent of their net profits on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by enacting the CSR Act in 2013.

It has been over 10 years since the implementation of the Act in 2014. Over INR 800 billion has been spent on various development projects under CSR initiatives. Understanding what motivated firms to undertake CSR expenditures, how these funds are allocated among different activities, who benefits from the implementation of CSR projects, and their impact on various development indicators would give insights to policymakers to utilise these funds more efficiently.

Using district-level CSR expenditure data from 2014 to 2021 across India, this presentation provides a comprehensive and rigorous analysis of CSR expenditures in India, determinants of location of CSR projects, geographic inequities in CSR expenditure, and the contribution of CSR funds to health outcomes.

The Melbourne Biodiversity Institute (MBI) brings together leading academics from across the University of Melbourne to address and stem biodiversity loss, and support region-wide efforts to restore nature.

The MBI symposium will showcase the breadth and diversity of biodiversity-focused research among our early and mid career academics from across nine faculties and schools of the University of Melbourne.

The day will include highlights such as:

• Presentations from the interdisciplinary breadth of MBI scholars

• A plenary from Teagan Shields; Arabana woman; Chancellors Prize winner 2024, and NAILSMA co-Chair

• Poster presentations, installations and performances representing biodiversity research from across University of Melbourne.

You are also invited to our post-symposium soiree, also within the Old Quadrangle, to engage with our poster session, meet other guests, and partake in live performances.

If you are an early/mid career academic at the University of Melbourne and would like to present a talk, poster, or installation/work on biodiversity, please place an Expression of interest here. Expressions of interest will close on September 26.

Please note those accepted into the program will still need to register for the event.

A more detailed program will be provided to registered participants mid October.

For information about visiting the Old Quad and accessibility, please visit: https://www.unimelb.edu.au/old-quad/visit