6th Bamboo Series event discusses CSR for disaster resilience and preparedness

KATHMANDU: The NET Consortium organised the sixth event of 'The Bamboo Series' on November 13 to discuss 'Corporate Social Responsibility for Disaster Resilience and Preparedness: An Opportunity to Engage the Private Sector in Disaster Risk Reduction in Nepal'.

The NET Consortium comprises the National Disaster Risk Reduction Centre (NDRC) Nepal, Enterprise for Management, Economic Reform and Gender Equality (EMERGE), and Tangent Waves.

The event was held in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Nepal Preparedness Partnership (NPP)/NDRC Nepal, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), National Business Initiatives (NBI), as well as vital networks such as the National Platform of DRR/National Disaster Preparedness Network (DPNet), Disaster Management Network Nepal (DiMaN), National Disaster Resilience Network (NDRNet), Institute for Social and Environmental Transition Nepal (ISET), and Dan Church Aid/Association of INGOs Nepal.

The event provided valuable insights into promoting private sector engagement in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and emergency preparedness in Nepal. Speakers and participants brainstormed and discussed the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in building community resilience, and sharing successful CSR initiatives.

Speakers included Bhisma Kumar Bhusal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs; Liladhar Adhikari, Under Secretary, Ministry of Industries, Commerce and Supplies; Balram Chapagain, CSR expert and researcher from Tribhuvan University; Merina Ranjit, Chief Operating Officer from the Chaudhary Foundation; Samjhana Bista, Country Director from DCA Nepal; and Kush Kumar Joshi, President of Nepal Business Initiative (NBI).

Participants from the private sector, humanitarian and development agencies, and government officials attended the event. They related to the discussed topic, as it was more of an experience-sharing opportunity for those working in DRR and business.

The Bamboo Series is a segment of the NET Consortium’s Change Initiative, focusing on promoting sustainable and resilient business practices incorporating GESI and DRRM perspectives, replacing the business-as-usual approach.

The Change Initiative was born out of the International Training Program for Disaster Risk Management, organised by MSB, Sweden, and is led by change agents Shyam Jnavaly, Mona Shrestha Adhikari, and Suman Shakya, who represent the NET Consortium.

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