CSR News from around ASEAN

AICHR - Training of Trainers for Journalists in ASEAN

thomas(29 July, Bangkok, Thailand) - AICHR successfully concluded its third Training of Trainers on human rights for journalists that was held over a period of five days at the Eastin Grand Hotel, Bangkok from 25-29 July, 2015. The programme was organised by the Representative of Thailand to the ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and supported by the ASEAN-US Progress. The training aimed to equip journalists with better understanding on human rights as well as to create a regional platform for ASEAN journalists to share experiences and best practices on the promotion  and protection of human rights through their work.

ACN CEO, Mr. Thomas Thomas, was a speaker at the event and talked about the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights, the AICHR baseline study and ACN’s work which included support for a regional framework on business and human rights/ National Action Plan on Business & Human Rights.

To read more about the event, please click here

British Prime Minister David Cameron mentions ACN in his speech

David Cameron was in Singapore on 28 July, 2015, and was speaking to guests at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy where he set out his plans to address corruption.

He added that corruption adds 10% to business costs globally and if corruption was reduced by that amount, it could benefit the global economy by $380 billion annually.

He urged the international community to work together to tackle corruption by strengthening the tools available, and creating rules and practices which enable global commerce to be even more resilient to threats from corruption. In his speech, he also encouraged people to support efforts by organisations such as ASEAN Corporate Social Responsibility Network, which Britain is supporting, to promote best practice among local businesses across ASEAN.

For more on David Cameron's speech, please read here.

Singapore Compact for CSR is now Global Compact Network Singapore

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(June 2015, Singapore Compact) - Singapore Compact for Corporate Social Responsibility, the national society promoting sustainable development for businesses and stakeholders, will be renamed ‘Global Compact Network Singapore’ (the Compact) to reflect the strengthening of ties with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).

The UNGC is a United Nations voluntary initiative formed in 2000 to encourage businesses to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies. These policies are aligned with the UNGC’s 10 universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. With over 12,000 corporate participants and other stakeholders from over 145 countries, the UNGC is the largest voluntary corporate responsibility initiative in the world.

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Secretary-General Appoints Lise Kingo of Denmark United Nations Global Compact Executive Director

(25 June 2015, United Nations) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Lise Kingo as Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact.  She will succeed Georg Kell, who retires later this year after over 25 years of service to the United Nations.

The Secretary-General expresses his gratitude for the outgoing Executive Director’s services to the Organization and his commitment in fostering cooperation between the private sector and the United Nations.  He is particularly appreciative of Mr. Kell’s exemplary leadership in the creation and management of the United Nations Global Compact since its launch in 2000.

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