WAM Dubai, April 25, 2012 (WAM)--In the presence of H. H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of the Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Emirates Airline '&' Group and Honorary Patron of the Dubai Quality Group (DQG), the proceedings of the Dubai Global Convention 2012, including the 7th International Conference on Social Responsibility, began on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at the InterContinental hotel, Dubai Festival City with the theme "Making CSR an Actionable Business Agenda".

The event is organised by the Institute of Directors-India (IOD) in association with Dubai Quality Group (DQG).

H. H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed commended the efforts of experts and investors from major companies for participating in the meet. In a discussion with guests, visitors, investors and experts, he welcomed them to Dubai and called on them to pay attention to investment opportunities offered by the emirate and stressed the importance of the CSR that has a huge positive impact on local companies and their ability to compete and innovate globally.

The 7th International Conference on CSR features a galaxy of international and local senior officials, VIPs and high-level dignitaries, including Hon. Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, Union Cabinet Minister of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, J. S. Ahluwalia, PVSM, President of the Institute of Directors, Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, Chairman of the IOD-India and former Chief Justice of India, The Right Hon. Baroness Sandip Verma, Lords Minister for Business, Innovation '&' Skills (Higher Education) and Equalities '&' Women and the Whip for the Cabinet Office, British Government, Dr. Ola Ullsten, former Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr. Saleh Janeeh, Chairman of the DQG, Khaled Al Kamda, Director General of Community Development Authority in Dubai and Lokesh M. Kapanaiah, Ambassador of India to the UAE.

Saleh Janeeh said: "We, at the DQG, and through our cooperation and positive partnership with the IOD-India, aim to expand the benefits, increase cooperation and further exchange of experiences, ideas, projects and various capabilities, that inspire the ambition of organizations and individuals to accelerate the development of their social, trade and economic responsibilities and upgrade their value." Janeeh explained that the quality of the attendees and experts participating in it, was a positive outcome that made it a commercial, economic and professionally fruitful destination for business leaders, politicians, legislators, policy makers, economists, philanthropists, NGOs and CSR professionals from all over the world.

The delegates will discuss a set of vital and important topics in the keynote sessions, such as: "Corporate Citizenship '&' Social Responsibility", "Generating Business value through CSR: Myth or Reality?", among others. This is in addition to panel discussions focusing on topics of major importance, namely, "Transparency '&' Accountability for Effective CSR", "CSR - Unlocking the Value", "Social Innovation - The Driver of Economic Growth", etc.

The 7th International Conference on Social Responsibility is being held for the first time in Dubai city, and among its diverse activities is the attendance of more than 100 global delegates, including stakeholders interested in sustainability of business and the well-being of society, creating profits and improving the quality of life for their organisations and communities. It also targets legislators, lawyers, jurists and those concerned with efficient and ethical conduct of corporate and good governance, in addition to philanthropists, chairpersons of companies, directors, presidents, CEOs, CFOs, bankers, fund managers, company secretaries, NGOs, investors, brokers, chartered accountants, management analysts, financial consultants, academics and students of business, finance and management.

On Thursday, April 26, 2012, case study presentations will be given by the winners of the Golden Peacock National Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility 2011, with titles of value, such as: "Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Creating Shared Value", "Business Case for Social Responsibility" and "Champions of Global CSR." WAM/MN