The ASEAN CSR Network supported the 10th Summer Institute 2017, held in Bali, Indonesia on 29-30 January 2018.

 Organized by the Human Rights Resource Centre, the conference is entitled "Trade, Investment, and the Rule of Law in ASEAN", with the objective of providing "a platform for all stakeholders to meet and exchange views on going forward in realising the AEC and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025." The conference gathered over 70 represenatatives from different sectors of ASEAN to explore possible collaborative action in pursuit of inclusiveness and sustainablity in the region.

Leading the discussions at the Summer Institute 2017 is ACN's CEO Mr. Thomas Thomas, who delivered a speech on the topic of "Innovative Approaches to CSR for the Promotion of the Rule of Law" on the first half of the 2-day conference. The following day, he also moderated a session "Investing on Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in ASEAN."

The conference served as a venue to discuss the link between trade, investment, and the rule of law, as well as to share models for good business practices, and explore possible mechanisms for the different sectors to pull together to advance good governance and the rule of law.

In relevance to the region, the conference also supported the blueprints of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community by highlighting topics such as the increase of trade and investment, integrating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into the global value chain, and enhancing ASEAN connectivity.

To learn more about the conference and of the other initiatives of HRRC, visit their website here.