Promoting and enabling
responsible business conduct in ASEAN

ASEAN DAY, 8 August 2017​

8th August is ASEAN Day.
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This year, 2017, is also a special year as we, people of ASEAN celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of ASEAN.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN has grown over five decades. Its three communities – Political-Security, Economic and Social-Cultural – are focused more on achieving higher levels of integration across the communities. ASEAN is both the world’s seventh-largest market and third-largest labour force, and has been projected to become the fourth-largest economic bloc by 2030.

These economic achievements have come about through much focused efforts for an economic integration across the 10 ASEAN Member States and through Trade and Investment Agreements with other countries. We, ASEAN CSR Network, an ASEAN entity, believe that the economic integration to create a single market and production base is important to the prosperity goals of meeting the needs of people in ASEAN. This will now be further enhanced with closer integration across all the communities and especially across the socio-cultural and political-security communities.

We note with much satisfaction that ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together document has articles with references to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) across all three Community Blueprints. ACN looks forward to opportunities of working with ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Bodies & Entities and Member States to realise the goal of getting ASEAN businesses to be responsible in the conduct of running their businesses to achieve a sustainable, inclusive and equitable ASEAN that benefits all people, especially vulnerable groups such as women, migrant workers, children, indigenous communities, whilst sustaining the environment.

We celebrate 50 years of ASEAN and look forward with much excitement to the next 50 years as together with ASEAN, businesses and partners, we will work hard to effect for real change.​​

​Other 50th Anniversary Celebrations in ASEAN

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The ASEAN 50 Ceremonial Lantern was a centerpiece event of one of the major celebrations commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

The Landmark Lighting was held simultaneously in Manila & 74 local government units across the Philippines on August 8th, with ASEAN Member States participating in the occasion. The event is a symbolic gesture that expresses the theme of the ASEAN 50 festivities, “Under one Light, we are one ASEAN.”
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A grand cultural parade took place, featuring a ceremonial blowing of horns, a float, with celebrities from each ASEAN Member States and street dancers performing, before the Landmark Lighting.
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Read more on the celebrations here.

​ACN Activities

​​ASEAN CSR Vision 2020 Small Grants Funds

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In the course of  4 rounds of the ASEAN CSR Vision 2020 Small Grants Funds, we received 162 applications from 9 ASEAN Member states and supported 30 projects with a total sum of over SGD 380,000. ACN is happy to have played a key role in raising awareness and complementing projects on CSR through SGF, a major outcome of this programme. As the facilitator, ACN watches how CSR space is growing in ASEAN. With the SGF grantees spreading across ASEAN, ACN is happy that over the last 2 years, CSR has reached many parts of ASEAN, through the SGF.

ACN launched the ASEAN CSR Vision 2020 Small Grants Fund Programme in May 2015, to provide funding support to local and/or regional organisations which are engaged in work to promote CSR and with an interest to link their work to regional objectives. The Programme is supported by the Government of Sweden through its Embassy in Bangkok. Total proposed funding for each project ranges from a minimum of S$3,000 to maximum of S$10,000. Projects to be funded must be relevant to the ASEAN CSR Vision 2020. 
 

Another Highlight of the Small Grants Fund

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We will highlight one of our grantee's projects, from an ASEAN Member State, in each of our monthly newsletter. This month's feature is on Myanmar Responsible Tourism Institute (MRTI). Last month was KADIN from Indonesia.

MRTI’s main project objective was to raise awareness on Tourism and Human Rights in Myanmar. The focus was to promote and encourage the “human rights due diligence” processes into business operations of private sector tourism enterprises.

Awareness of human rights and responsible tourism was raised through Roundtables and educational materials. Over 80 participants from the tourism sector were trained in Human Rights and over 100 copies of the publication the Responsible Tourism and Human Rights Guide for Hoteliers in both English and Myanmar were published and distributed to participants and their businesses.

The highlight of this project was the Roundtable in Loikaw. This is so as many tour agencies and officers rarely get opportunities for learning in this fast moving trade in Myanmar and the emergence of a tourist destinations such as  Mandalay, Inle, Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon.

Bringing the CSR programme to the tourism industry was important. MRTI was able to engage communities and individuals that normally do not know or have access to information on CSR, human rights and how their role in tourism can be conducted responsibly for their people and the environment. The presence of key decision makers at this event lent credibility to the Roundtable whilst also increasing the visibility of Human Rights and Responsible Tourism, through this awareness-raising programme.

To read further about the project and how the Small Grants Fund benefited them, click here.
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​​Small Grant Fund Round 5 application is now open
 

We are pleased to announce the 5th call for proposals to the Small Grants Fund. Deadline to submit applications is 30 September 2017. 

For more information, please see visit our website here. For any queries, please email them to  sgf@asean-csr-network.org ​

ACN Visit to Phnom Penh, 10 to 11 August 2017
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(Dr Sok Siphana, mentor for young entrepreneurs standing next to Mr Thomas Thomas and representatives from young entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs associations)
 

Our CEO Mr Thomas Thomas visited Phnom Penh between the 10 & 11 August to meet and discuss the progress in promoting CSR in Cambodia.

​During the trip, Mr Thomas held meetings with the CSR Platform, an Oxfam led network of business and civil society organisations, Cambodia Coordinating Committee of CSOs, Transparency International, Young Entrepreneurs Association, Women Entrepreneurs Associations and businesses wanting to implement CSR.
 

 (Representatives from Oxfam, Transparency International and Cambodia Coordinating Committee)

Mr Thomas noted from his meetings that there is a growing interest and movement for CSR in the country.  Local businesses run by 2nd generation leaders are aware of CSR and the need for business to be responsible and inclusive. ACN will help them to understand the principles and practice of CSR.

ACN Network Members​

A National Anti-Corruption Survey: Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is The Most Trusted Institution​
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​One of our founding participating organisation Indonesia Business Links (IBL), together with the Polling Center and Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) conducted a national anti-corruption survey from April 5, 2017 – May 19, 2017. The results of the survey were divided into several main findings:

1. Corruption Perception Index in Indonesia in the past year has not changed significantly;
2. Indonesian government take a serious effort to eradicate corruption;
3. Indonesia’s Corruption Commission is the most trusted institution by Indonesian society to eradicate corruption;
4. The public services sector in Indonesia are perceived as the most corrupt sector.The survey was conducted in 34 provinces, 177 districts/municipalities, 212 villages throughout Indonesia with total respondents of 2,235 people.

​Source:http://www.ibl.or.id/en/news/ibl-news/173-survey-anti-korupsi-kpk-lembaga-paling-dipercaya-dan-dibutuhkan-rakyat-indonesia-saat-ini

ASEAN Learning Series and Policy Engagement
on Agricultural Cooperatives (ALSPEAC), Yogyakarta, 19-21 July 2017​

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​​ASEAN Learning Series and Policy Engagement on Agricultural Cooperatives (ALSPEAC), which is part of ASEAN Farmers’ Organization Programme (AFOSP) of ASEAN Foundation, took place in Yogyakarta, 19-21 July 2017. Organized by ASEAN Foundation (AF), in partnership with Asian Farmers' Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and La Via Campesina (LVC), ALSPEAC gathered farmers’ organization, governments (ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Agricultural Cooperatives/ASWGAC), and private sectors from participating ASEAN countries to discuss the challenges and opportunities in coffee production, processing and marketing.

Promoting the ASEAN standards on coffee and enhancing the optimum output of ASEAN coffee value chain, ALSPEAC encouraged participants to have business matchmaking and provided the governments with the exposure of feedback on policy support, for example on tax regulation.
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It is expected after the ALSPEAC 2017, participants were able to reach a mutual understanding on how to start partnership, including to do direct trading along the ASEAN coffee value chain, and support one another as ASEAN community.

CSR Club of Thai Listed Companies Association
​– Business Forum on Human Rights:
"Why businesses take into account Human Rights"

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On the 8 June 2017, CSR Club of Thai Listed Companies Association and network representatives from Global Compact Network Thailand jointly held a seminar on business and human rights. This was aimed at business participants who took part in a lively discussion on Promoting Human Rights in the Business Sector, identifying the challenges and the next steps, for business to take on deeper responsibility in line with the United Nation Guiding Principles and ASEAN 2025 document.

The panel was filled with notable speakers from the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, prominent business leaders and representatives from non-profit organisations.
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Please click here to find out more.​

Global Compact Network Singapore Summit,
29 Aug 2017, Singapore

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The annual Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) Summit is a platform of advocacy, capacity building and networking for sustainability and CSR practitioners to come together and gain insights into the latest global corporate sustainability trends.

This year, the theme is on “Better Businesses Together for the Future Economy”. Whether you are an experienced sustainability practitioner or just about to embark on your sustainability journey, you will find the discussions and networking opportunities meaningful and useful to your area of work.

Topics covered at the Summit will explore the latest in sustainability trends and insights. Speakers will also share best practices, the sustainability landscape in Singapore and how it affects businesses locally.

You can find the event page here.
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Upcoming Events

​​SID Directors’ Conference 2017 – The Sustainability Imperative,
12 September 2017, Singapore
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ACN is proud to be a supporting partner to Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) flagship’s conference this year. Leaders and practitioners will share the multifaceted challenges of integrating sustainability with business strategy and execution, and the change in mindset from just making money to making business meaningful. Hybrid organisations who are advocating for a new model of capitalism will discuss how practical and innovative some of their approaches are.

Our CEO Mr Thomas Thomas will be part of a distinguished panel of speakers sharing his experience with regards to Governance and how it is connected to sustainability. 

You can find the event page here.

News Around the World - Regional

ASEAN to build an inclusive community for women migrant workers with renewed political will and gender-responsive policies
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The ASEAN High-level Policy Dialogue on Women Migrant Workers in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was held in Jakarta on the 7 July 2017. It concluded with the participation of senior officials from labour, gender, trade and foreign affairs of ASEAN Member States. Delegates exchanged views on the situations of women migrant workers in the region, and employment opportunities and challenges that the AEC could bring to them. Delegates also recognised that while the AEC brings benefits and opportunities for women migrant workers, they need to rise up occupational hierarchy in high-growth sectors.

A study on Women Migrant Workers in the Asean Economic Community was also launched at the dialogue.

To read more, click here.​

ASEANFocus 4/2017 Highlights

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The ASEAN Studies Centre (ASC) at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute is proud to present the July/August 2017 issue of ASEANFocus which can be accessed and downloaded here.

News Around the World - Global

Growing role for the private sector in the 2030 Agenda

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High-level representatives from United Nations member states, inter-governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, gathered on the 17 to 18 July 2017 in New York to discuss how to ‘eradicate poverty and promote prosperity in a changing world’.

Notably, CSR and Sustainability Reporting were mentioned in 59% of the voluntary national reviews when referring to private sector involvement with the SDGs. This is a good indication of success towards SDG Target 12.6 which “encourages companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle”.

To read more, click here.

Business Integrity Regional Pledge

Take the Integrity Pledge now and make a commitment to uphold ethical values at the enterprise/organisational, national and regional level!
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​​To see what the pledge entails and become a signatory, please click here. 
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ASEAN continues to stride forward with its regional integration efforts with a view to narrowing the development gap and delivering more benefits to more people. A factsheet has been done up and it highlights the progress of the three ASEAN Community pillars and priorities as the grouping celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017.