PR No – 86
26th March, 2025
New Delhi
Conclave on SDG 4
Collaborating for Quality Education: Innovations, Partnerships & Impact
In a concerted effort to drive impactful change in the education sector, PHDCCI organized a Conclave on SDG 4 on 24th March 2024 at PHD House, New Delhi, bringing together distinguished experts, policymakers, and stakeholders. Focused on Collaborating for Quality Education: Innovations, Partnerships & Impact, the conclave provided a dynamic platform for discussions on the role of multi-sector partnerships in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). Emphasizing the need for inclusive and equitable quality education, the conclave underscored the significance of leveraging innovation, corporate engagement, and grassroots initiatives to create a more empowered and sustainable future.
Mrs. Anuradha Goel, Chairperson, PHD Family Welfare Foundation (PHDFWF), reiterated the importance of SDG 4 in unlocking human potential and fostering a sustainable and just society. With India’s demographic advantage of a youthful population, she emphasized the need for comprehensive improvements in health, education, and skill development. She shared PHDFWF’s successful track record in community development, skill training, and family welfare initiatives over the past 35 years, reaffirming their commitment to advancing education and development at the grassroots level.
Prof. (Dr.) Seema Sharma, Professor (Economics), Dept. of Management Studies, IIT Delhi, underscored the urgency of improving India’s SDG rankings, where the country currently stands at 109th position among 166 nations. She stressed that education is the foundation of all other SDGs, shaping societal and environmental awareness. She advocated for a tripartite collaboration model involving NGOs, the corporate sector, and the government, leveraging corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding for impactful educational initiatives. She also emphasized the need for a mission-mode approach to drive progress effectively.
Prof. Sridhar Srivastava, Joint Director, NCERT, emphasized the importance of collaboration among institutions and stakeholders to ensure that every child receives a holistic education. He pointed out that parents must be recognized as key stakeholders in the education ecosystem, as their awareness and involvement can significantly impact students’ learning experiences and outcomes.
Mr. Amitabh Ranjan, Registrar, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), Government of India, provided a historical perspective on India’s deep-rooted educational legacy, citing ancient institutions like Nalanda and Takshila. He stressed the importance of harnessing India’s vast human capital to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He called for a symbiotic industry-academia relationship to ensure mutual growth and development, and emphasized the urgent need for continuous teacher training programs to maintain quality education in the evolving digital era.
Dr. Jatinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), highlighted the indispensable role of NGOs in driving innovation and creating a lasting impact in the education sector. He emphasized that NGOs, with their grassroots connections and deep community engagement, are well-positioned to address the challenges in education and deliver meaningful change.
The conclave concluded with a strong call to action for all stakeholders to collaborate more effectively, leverage available resources, and adopt innovative approaches to ensure quality education for all. The discussions reinforced that achieving SDG 4 is pivotal in realizing India’s broader developmental aspirations and global commitments.
The conclave was supported by Pustak Mahal, further strengthening the commitment towards enhancing educational opportunities and resources.
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Warm Regards,
Media Division, PHDCCI