Dr A S Ravindra Rao, Resident Trustee, Friends of Moral Re-Armament (India) welcoming the delegates at the Inaugural session of the conference. Looking on (from left to right) are: Kiyoshi Nagano, Director, International IC Association, Japan; Rajendra Chavan, Chief Officer, Panchgani Hill Station Municipal Council; Sarosh Ghandy, Regional Director, CIB; Dr. J. J. Irani, Director, Tata Sons Ltd.; Farhad Forbes, Director, Forbes Marshall Group.The Caux Initiatives for Business (CIB) conference jointly co-hosted by Indian and Japanese Initiatives of Change associates, was launched in Panchgani, Maharashtra, India, between 20-24 November 2009. Its aim was to attempt to find answers to the problems that face the global economy. The theme of the Conference “From Financial Crisis To a New Economic Order – The Need to Reintroduce Trust and Integrity as Common Business Practices" brought together 140 delegates from 13 countries.

The delegates were welcomed by Dr. Ravindra Rao, resident Director at Asia Plateau and was followed by Mr Rajendra Chavan, the CEO of the Municipal Corporation of Panchgani who welcomed all delegates to the beautiful hill station of Panchgani. He said that there was only one thing above all that mattered in today's world and that was "trustworthiness, which is not a skill, but is the quality of our character."

The Traditional Inaugural lamp was lit by representatives of the 13 countries participating in the conference. The Asia Plateau Chorus sang the song Japanese delegation performing at a cultural evening at Asia Plateau‘It’s better to Light one Candle than to Curse the Darkness’.

Sarosh Ghandy, Regional Director, CIB, outlined the aims and objectives of the conference. Farhad Forbes, Director, Forbes Marshall Group, in his address talked about the importance of Integrity and the need for building institutions on the principles of trust and Integrity. He gave details of the loss in trillions of dollars due to the meltdown and large number of jobs lost. While the impact was not severe in India, he said we need to be on our alert. He also mentioned that the growth and development model should be inclusive and take care of the large segment of the population.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. J.J Irani, Director of Tata Sons Ltd (the Tata Group of companies) talked about reintroducing integrity and trust as a Dr J J Irani, Director, Tata Sons Ltd, releasing the special issue of Disha to commemorate the Caux Initiatives for Business Conference 2009common business practice. He gave details of his experience in the House of Tatas. Talking about the great visionary, Jamsetji Tata, he highlighted the difference between making money for oneself and creating wealth for others. He mentioned the importance of creating wealth before it could be distributed. It was very necessary to distribute wealth and quoting from the life of Mr JRD Tata who did not spend money of the company in buying expensive curtains for his office. Helping the community where one was working was important.He stressed the need to follow the principle of ruling but with the consent of the ruled. There was a special responsibility towards the people who live around and the needs of the community must be met.

The representation of delegates at the conference included leaders from business and industry, political leaders, academics, members of the government civil service, representatives of the workplace and training and development representatives. A more comprehensive report will be published in early 2010. Please find below brief reports of the daily proceedings:Dr Armin Bruck, Managing Director, Siemens Ltd (India & South Asia) speaking at the conference

Download 20 November report here

Download 21 November report here

Download 22 November report here

Download 23 November report here

The conference released the Panchgani Statement calling for governments and business to work towards the Millenium Development Goals and calling for business to develop a code of conduct that embeds trust and integrity that is maintained by a regular social audit. The full statement can be read here.

Learn more about the background of CIB in India.