22 representatives from 9 ASEAN-member countries participated in 3 days of networking and training in Singapore from 26 to 28 September 2012. The capacity-building trip was organized by the ASEAN CSR Network, a regional body that promotes the practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a means for achieving sustainable socio-economic development in the region in line with the ASEAN Community 2015 blueprint.

The 3-day gathering was kicked off by a CSR Workshop which was facilitated by experts from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)-- Mr. Florian Beranek, Chief Technical Advisor for CSR of UNIDO Vietnam, and Mr. Thomas Walker, an experienced CSR consultant. Fuji Xerox Singapore hosted the workshop at their corporate headquarters and Mr. Bert Wong, Senior Managing Director and Asia Pacific Regional Officer, opened the workshop by briefly sharing about Fuji Xerox's CSR philosophy.

The main event of the 3 days was the 4th annual International Singapore Compact CSR Summit held at the Stamford Ballroom Raffles City Convention Centre from 27-28 September. Over 40 speakers and 400 400 delegates from around the world gathered to discuss the latest in "Threats, Challenges and Opportunities" in CSR.

Mr. Kwek Leng Joo, President of Singapore Compact and Managing Director of City Developments Limited, delivered the opening address. Mr. Tan Chuan-Jin, Singapore Acting Minister for Manpower and Senior Minister of State for National Development, was guest of honor and delivered the keynote speech, followed by Prof. Jeremy Moon, Director of the International Centre for CSR at Nottingham University Business School.

Leaders from the business, government, academe and development sectors shared their perspectives and experience on CSR. Topics and issues on international CSR standards, business and human rights, business transformation, stakeholder engagement, social media communication, and engaging SMEs were among those discussed at the summit. For a full list of the speakers and conference agenda please visit www.singporecsrsumit.org.

The ASEAN CSR Network Board of Trustees, representing national business and CSR networks from Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, and the ASEAN Foundation, also took time to review the progress of the regional network and strategize on how to push further the CSR agenda in ASEAN. Invited guests from Brunei, Lao PDR and Myanmar likewise participated in the discussions in preparation for their eventual membership in the Network. Mr. Edgardo Amistad, Chairman of the ASEAN CSR Network, Mr. Thomas Thomas, CEO of the ASEAN CSR Network and Executive Director of Singapore Compact, and Dr. Makarim Wibisono, Trustee of the ASEAN CSR Network and Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, presided over the meeting.

Participating organizations of the ASEAN CSR network include the Singapore Compact for CSR, League of Corporate Foundations (Philippines), Indonesia Business Links, International Chamber of Commerce – Malaysia, CSR Club of the Thai Listed Companies Association, and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The ASEAN CSR Network receives funding support from the ASEAN Foundation and the ASEAN-Japan Solidarity Fund. Singapore Compact for CSR, the country's focal point for UN Global Compact signatories and host of the ASEAN CSR Network Secretariat, organized the events and waived the fees for all ASEAN participants.