AICHR Seminar on Promoting CSR and Human Rights in ASEAN, 3-4 November 2016, Singapore
Singapore Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor with EU Ambassador to ASEAN Ambassador Francisco Fontan Pardo, Ambassador of Sweden to Singapore Ambassador Håkan Jevrell, Regional Cluster Leader of the United Nations Development Programme Phil Matsheza, CEO of ASEAN CSR Network Thomas Thomas, Chair of ASEAN CSR Network Yanti Triwadiantini, and AICHR Representatives
The AICHR Seminar on Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Human Rights in ASEAN was successfully held from 3 to 4 November 2016 in Singapore. The Seminar, a follow-up from the AICHR Baseline Study on CSR and Human Rights in ASEAN, was co-organised by AICHR-Singapore and the ASEAN CSR Network (ACN), and received the kind support of the Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (READI) Human Rights Facility and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In line with a multi-stakeholder approach to CSR and Human Rights in ASEAN, the Seminar drew many participants from across ASEAN and outside the region from various sectors, including government officials, national human rights institutions (NHRIs), businesses, civil society, trade unions, and academia.
Singapore Senior Minister of State, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Ministry of Health, Dr Amy Khor was the Guest-of-Honour for the Seminar. Dr Khor spoke on “The Nexus between CSR and Human Rights”, and explained how economic growth and a clean environment could be pursued hand-in-hand to achieve sustainable development.
Ambassador Ong Keng Yong kicks off the discussion on CSR and Human Rights in ASEAN
Former ASEAN Secretary-General and Executive Deputy Chairman of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Ambassador Ong Keng Yong delivered a keynote address on The Way Forward for CSR and Human Rights in ASEAN. The Seminar also saw the sharing of best practices and experiences from international and regional speakers including Swedish Ambassador for CSR Diana Madunic and member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights Dante Pesce.
The Seminar explored the role of governments, businesses, trade unions and civil society organisations (CSOs) in promoting CSR, as well as possible elements of a regional strategy on CSR and Human Rights in ASEAN, a recommendation of the Baseline Study. Such a regional strategy would support the fulfilment of the aspirations of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, which calls for the building upon and deepening of the integration process to realise a rules-based, people-oriented, people-centred ASEAN Community.
