NEW DELHI - The Centre for Social Markets (CSM), an India and UK-based non-profit, launched its 'Who's Who in CSR in India: A Resource Guide 2004' at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi today. A practical guide to the key players and institutions in the emerging field of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in India, the book will be a must-have reference for all who wish the navigate the CSR terrain in this vast country.

Organised into five sections, the book provides a listing of key corporates, civil society groups and government agencies providing vital statistics such as annual turnover, gender ratio, internal and external CSR policies, publications, and full contact details. It also contains a summary of CSR surveys conducted in the country, a matrix of different examples of corporate engagement, a bibliography of relevant literature, websites, journals and case studies.

Published with support from the Heinrich Boell Foundation, the resource guide will be updated annually and is the first of a series of country-specific 'Who's Who in CSR' to be published by CSM. Future ones on Brazil, China/Hong Kong, Pakistan, Singapore and Southern Africa will be published with national partners in 2005.

Speaking at the launch, CSM's founder and director, Malini Mehra, said: "This guide fulfills a long expressed need for materials from the developing world showing the extent of CSR take-up in countries such as India. Much is happening, but more needs to happen. This guide, and the series it is part of, is intended to promote learning, inspire action and improve co-ordination. We hope it will become an indispensable aid to managers and activists alike."
The guide is the latest in a series of information services developed by CSM designed to promote better informed and more effective action on CSR-related issues. It joins CSM's weekly news clipping service, e-list serve CSRAsia, and Portal on CSR focusing on developing countries.

The book launch was marked by a Panel Debate entitled 'CSR in India: Coming of age, or barely off the starting blocks?'

Moderated by Coen Kompier, a specialist from the International Labour Organisation (in India), the panelists included Mr Tarun Tejpal, investigative journalist and editor-in-chief of Tehelka; Ms Amita Joseph, director-general, Business & Community Foundation; UNCTAD India co-ordinator, Dr Veena Jha; and Ms Amanda Greene, Principal, Corporate Philanthropy Services of the charity GIVE Foundation. The debate concluded that while CSR was visibly off the starting blocks, INDIA plc had to run hard for the rhetoric to catch up with the reality.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

1. The Centre for Social Markets (CSM) is a non-profit organization based in India and the UK, promoting entrepreneurship for the 'triple bottom line': - people, planet and profit. Through our offices in India and the United Kingdom, and an international network of partners and associates, CSM promotes responsible entrepreneurship, ethics and accountability worldwide. Founded in 2000, we are a values-based organisation committed to sustainable development and human rights.

2. CSM is a Founder-Member, and India representative, of the 9-country 'Asia-Pacific CSR Group' launched in Hong Kong in July 2004.

3. The Who's Who in CSR in India' can be purchased directly from CSM's India office for USD 20.00 (plus postage and packaging). (A lower rate of INR 200 is available for organizations based in India.)

4. Appearance in the 'Who Who in CSR in India' does not imply endorsement of the organisation or company by the Centre for Social Markets.

For further information on CSM's background and international activities, please refer to our extensive website and unique portal: www.csmworld.org.

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