Aga Khan Foundation discusses business, philanthropy in Dhaka

The Aga Khan Foundation, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, brought together representatives from some of the Bangladesh’s top business houses to deliberate on how businesses can contribute “more systematically and sustainably” to social development in Bangladesh through corporate philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.

The seminar was titled “Doing Well by Doing Good: A Discussion on Business and Philanthropy”.

Dr Gowher Rizvi, the international advisor to the prime minister was present as the chief guest at the event held at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Bashundhara.

Rizvi made a distinction between charity and philanthropy, while highlighting what makes good philanthropy.

“Philanthropy, when properly directed, when it listens to the people whom is it is serving, can be very successful,” he said.

Dilshad Dossani, chairperson of the Aga Khan Foundation (Bangladesh)’s National Committee, outlined the impetus behind the seminar.

“The notion of indigenous philanthropy and the paradigm shift towards self-reliant development, we believe, has never been more relevant than it is today in the Bangladesh context.”

Apoorva Oza, chief executive officer of the Aga Khan Rural Support Program (India) spoke about corporate social responsibility, highlighting lessons from the Indian context.

“There is an initial tendency among many corporates to do a lot of charity work, what we call transactional work, but the real change comes from transformational work, when we attack the roots of the problem, and that is a slow process for corporates to learn, but it is happening.”

Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman, Power and Participation Research Centre, moderated a panel discussion which featured Nihad Kabir, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Dhaka and Syed Nasim Manzur, managing director of the Apex Footwear Ltd, among others.