Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, under the leadership of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), hosted the Civil 20 (C20) India 2023 summit as part of India’s G20 Presidency. Amma, as Chair of the C20 Engagement Group, guided the summit, which brought together over 1,000 delegates from 140 countries in Jaipur, Rajasthan. This landmark event provided civil society organizations (CSOs) a platform to influence global policy-making through volunteerism rooted in compassion and collaboration. With representatives from diverse sectors, the summit addressed pressing issues faced by communities worldwide and championed policy recommendations aimed at compassionate social change.
The summit concluded with the presentation of the C20 Policy Pack and Communique, comprehensive documents that outline solutions to key global issues. These were officially handed over to the G20 India Secretariat and Brazil, marking the transition of the C20 chairmanship. Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Troika Member and Vice-Chair of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, expressed deep gratitude to Amma’s leadership and the contributions of CSOs, while reminding attendees that the journey to implement these recommendations has just begun.
Several dignitaries highlighted the importance of sustainability and India’s rich heritage of environmental stewardship. Rajasthan’s Governor, Shri Kalraj Mishra, called on the global community to embrace the values of environmental balance and presented four strategic pillars—People, Prosperity, Planet, and Participation—as essential foundations for policy-making. He emphasized the need to align youth involvement and modern development with India’s cultural traditions of nature conservation.
Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Smt Vasundhara Raje, also underscored the urgency of sustainable practices in response to the environmental and health challenges intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Raje’s call for collective responsibility resonated with the summit’s theme of interconnectedness, urging civil society to prioritize the well-being of the planet and its resources to secure a sustainable future.
The C20’s 16 working groups delivered policy recommendations on women’s empowerment, health, disaster resilience, water management, and technological impacts, among others. By showcasing successful civil society projects and proposing scalable solutions, C20 India 2023 set a compassionate, inclusive path forward for policy-making worldwide. This initiative by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham exemplifies the power of civil society to lead transformative global change.
This table highlights smaller NGOs that align with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s SDG-based partnerships during C-20.
| NGO Name | Field of Work | Relevant SDGs |
| Team Everest | Education, community support | SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) |
| Akshara Foundation | Primary education for underprivileged children | SDG 4 (Quality Education) |
| Barefoot College | Skill development, rural empowerment | SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) |
| Guria India | Anti-human trafficking, women’s rights | SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 16 (Peace and Justice) |
| Sankalp Foundation | Healthcare, skill development | SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 8 (Decent Work) |
| Centre for Social Research (CSR) | Gender equality, women’s rights | SDG 5 (Gender Equality) |
| Navjeevan Trust | Disability rights, empowerment | SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) |
| Arpan | Child abuse prevention, support | SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 16 (Peace and Justice) |
| Chirag | Health, education in rural areas | SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 4 (Quality Education) |
| Deepalaya | Education, healthcare for underprivileged | SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 4 (Quality Education) |
| The Blue Ribbon Movement | Youth leadership, civic engagement | SDG 16 (Peace and Justice), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) |
| Aarohi | Sustainable development, rural Uttarakhand | SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 15 (Life on Land) |
| SNEHA | Women’s, children’s health and nutrition | SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 5 (Gender Equality) |
| Sakhi Trust | Women’s empowerment and health | SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 5 (Gender Equality) |
| Shikshan Gram | Education, shelter for orphaned children | SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education) |
| Goonj | Resource mobilization, rural development | SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) |
| Aavishkaar | Science and tech education in rural areas | SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work) |
| PRADAN | Rural development, livelihood enhancement | SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 1 (No Poverty) |
| Kalap Trust | Community development, Uttarakhand | SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 15 (Life on Land) |
| Vanangana | Women’s empowerment, rights | SDG 5 (Gender Equality) |
| Apnalaya | Urban slum support, health, and education | SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) |
| Salaam Baalak Trust | Shelter and support for street children | SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 16 (Peace and Justice) |
| Pratham | Children’s education | SDG 4 (Quality Education) |
| Udayan Care | Support for orphans, women empowerment | SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) |
| Bhumi | Education, skill development for youth | SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work) |
| Yuva Unstoppable | Sanitation, clean drinking water in schools | SDG 6 (Clean Water), SDG 4 (Quality Education) |
| Snehi | Mental health awareness | SDG 3 (Good Health) |
| Childline India Foundation | Child support, helpline | SDG 16 (Peace and Justice) |
| Lend a Hand India | Skill development, rural education | SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work) |
| Bal Utsav | School transformation, quality education | SDG 4 (Quality Education) |
| Vidya India | Women empowerment, education | SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 4 (Quality Education) |
| Prayas | Child rights, youth development | SDG 16 (Peace and Justice) |
| Seva Mandir | Rural development, education | SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education) |
| Parinaam Foundation | Microfinance, health support | SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health) |
| The Ant | Livelihood support, community development | SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) |
| Asha for Education | Education for underprivileged children | SDG 4 (Quality Education) |
| Sarthak Educational Trust | Disability support and training | SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) |
| Milaap | Crowdfunding for social causes | SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) |
| Srujna | Empowerment for women in need | SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work) |
| Azad Foundation | Women’s skill development | SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work) |
| Rang De | Low-interest loans for entrepreneurs | SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) |
| Muskaan | Community development, women empowerment | SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) |
| Hunnarshala Foundation | Sustainable housing solutions | SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) |
| Toybank | Play-based learning for children | SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) |
| Naz Foundation | Health and empowerment of marginalized communities | SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) |
| Myna Mahila Foundation | Women’s health and hygiene | SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 5 (Gender Equality) |
| Atma | Capacity building for NGOs | SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) |
| Global March | Against child labor and trafficking | SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 16 (Peace and Justice) |
| Development Alternatives | Environment, sustainable development | SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) |
| Manzil | Education, life skills for youth | SDG 4 (Quality Education) |
SDGs Addressed during C-20 meetings organized by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in partnership with NGOs and Indian Government.
MoU Signing with NGO in the following Areas
| Ministry | Key Themes | Collaborations | Relevant SDGs |
| Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change | Sustainable and Resilient Communities, Climate Action, Biodiversity, and Coastal Conservation | Policies for ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, and coastal conservation. Promoting circular economy and sustainable practices for emission reduction. Disaster management frameworks for climate resilience. | SDG 13, SDG 14, SDG 15 |
| Ministry of Jal Shakti | River Revival and Sustainable Water Management | Policies for integrated water management and climate-resilient infrastructure. Ensuring access to clean water and sanitation. Capacity-building for water conservation at community levels. | SDG 6, SDG 12 |
| Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | Integrated Holistic Health, Mental Well-being, and Public Health | Expanding access to affordable healthcare. National strategies for mental health and disease prevention. Promoting “One Health” addressing human, animal, and environmental health interlinkages. | SDG 3 |
| Ministry of Education | Education and Digital Transformation | Inclusive, human-centered education with a focus on sustainability. Promoting skill development and indigenous knowledge systems. Developing digital literacy and online education platforms. | SDG 4, SDG 10 |
| Ministry of Women and Child Development | Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment | Policies for safety and empowerment of women and girls. Mental health support and gender-responsive programs. Inclusion of women in decision-making and economic empowerment. | SDG 5, SDG 8 |
| Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment | Disability, Equity, and Justice | Frameworks for social protection of marginalized groups, including LGBTQIA+ and indigenous communities. Accessibility initiatives for education and employment. Equal opportunities in the workplace. | SDG 10, SDG 16 |
| Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare | Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Food Security | Promotion of agroecology and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Knowledge transfer for sustainable farming. Incentives to reduce food waste and resource-efficient production. | SDG 2, SDG 12 |
| Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology | Technology for Empowerment and Digital Transformation | Bridging the digital divide. Promoting accessible digital infrastructure. Cybersecurity frameworks and ethical AI guidelines. Public digital platforms for transparency and citizen participation. | SDG 9, SDG 16 |
| Ministry of Labour and Employment | Skill Development and Economic Inclusion | Expanding vocational training for underserved populations. Promoting just and equitable workplace policies. | SDG 8, SDG 10 |
This table shows how each ministry’s or department’s initiatives align with specific SDGs, underlining the role of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s partnerships in promoting sustainable development goals across sectors.
| Working Group | Key Themes | Relevant SDGs |
| Sustainable and Resilient Communities | Climate resilience, disaster management, biodiversity protection, net-zero emissions, community sustainability, clean energy access | SDG 6 (Clean Water), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) |
| Integrated Holistic Health | Universal health coverage, mental health, One-Health, disease prevention, equitable healthcare access | SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) |
| Education and Digital Transformation | Inclusive education, digital literacy, skill development, indigenous knowledge | SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) |
| Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment | Women’s safety, education, economic empowerment, gender-responsive policies | SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) |
| Disability, Equity, and Justice | Accessibility, social protection for marginalized groups, workplace equity | SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) |
| River Revival and Water Management | Sustainable water use, river ecosystem conservation, climate-resilient water systems | SDG 6 (Clean Water), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), SDG 15 (Life on Land) |
| Technology, Security, and Transparency | Cybersecurity, ethical AI, bridging the digital divide | SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) |
| Human Rights as Human Values | Promoting civic space, fundamental freedoms, anti-corruption measures | SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) |
| Traditional Arts, Crafts, and Culture | Preserving cultural heritage, sustainable livelihoods for artisans | SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 8 (Decent Work) |
| Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) | Behavioral change, sustainable living practices, environmental governance | SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land) |
| Sewa, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism | Voluntarism, community service, societal responsibility | SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) |
| SDG16 Plus and Promoting Civic Space | Enhancing transparency, justice, anti-corruption, strengthening institutions | SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) |
| Delivering Democracy | Strengthening grassroots democracy, civic engagement, governance reforms | SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) |
