Patna: A workshop titled “From Global Goals to Local Action: A Workshop for Bihar’s Sustainable Development” was organized by the Department of Planning and Development in collaboration with the Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP) and supported by NITI Aayog. The event brought together policymakers, academics, and experts to explore strategies for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bihar.
The program began with a welcome address by CIMP Director Prof. Dr. Rana Singh, who greeted the participants and dignitaries. The chief guest, retired IPS officer P N Rai, highlighted the importance of local actions in achieving SDGs, emphasizing the role of youth in disaster risk reduction. Kumod Kumar introduced the objectives of the workshop and outlined the agenda for the day.
Shri Prem Prakash, Team Leader at SSM, shed light on the role of government policies in achieving SDGs, discussing recent initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development. Keynote speaker Prof. Sapna Narula, Director of NIAM, provided insights into sustainable agricultural practices and their relevance to Bihar, stressing the need for a shift in current methods.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Sibananda Senapati, setting the stage for a series of technical discussions.
Technical Sessions and Round Table Discussions
The first technical session, “Integrating SDGs into Organisational Strategy,” was delivered by Dr. Vivek Prakash, Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Jubilant. Dr. Prakash shared examples of CSR initiatives in Odisha, underlining the urgent need to overcome barriers to achieving SDGs by 2030.
In the second technical session, “Tools and Techniques for SDG Impact Measurement,” Swagat Mishra of KPMG India discussed the significance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and offered actionable points for measuring SDG impacts effectively.
A roundtable discussion followed, moderated by Shri Prem Prakash, featuring experts from academia, civil society, and other sectors. The panel deliberated on contemporary challenges in Bihar and proposed strategic policy measures to drive the state’s development.
Focus on WASH and Post-Lunch Sessions
The post-lunch session was led by Dr. Prabhakar Sinha, WASH Specialist at UNICEF Bihar. Dr. Sinha addressed the critical role of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in achieving SDGs within Bihar. He detailed the current challenges, the state’s progress, and the actions required to overcome hurdles in this sector.
The workshop concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to aligning local actions with global sustainable development objectives, ensuring Bihar’s progress toward a more inclusive and sustainable future.
