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ASEAN CSR Network: May 2018 Newsletter
www.asean-csr-network.org | View the newsletter online |
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Promoting and enabling
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ISSUE: May 2018
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Access the full report here. |
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THE LATEST @ ACN |
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This month, ACN completed its first ever webinar series. Entitled, Responsible Business 101 (RB101), the series as composed of two (2) parts, with 5 webinars in total that were spread out in period of April to May 2018. RB101 featured an introductory session on the concept of responsible business, and delved deeper into other key relevant topics. The last two (2) webinars were held in May, which focused on the topics of business integrity and anti-corruption, and gender equity in business. Read more here. |
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Carbon pricing can only be effective if it is economically meaningful--That is the main message of ACN's webinar on carbon pricing and its role in tackling climate change. The session was conducted on 24 May 2018 by Ms Melissa Low, Research Fellow at the Energy Studies Institutes. Read more here. |
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ENGAGEMENTS |
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Learn more about RWI here. |
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Read more about the consultation here. |
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ACN was also present at:
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UP NEXT @ ACN |
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ASEAN CSR Network, together with partners Oxfam, AVPN and ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC), is proud to present the findings of a new report on the landscape of MSMEs in the 10 ASEAN member states. MSMEs form an essential part of the economy, making up 89-99% of all enterprises in ASEAN and 52-97% of total employment.
One of the key findings is that MSMEs are still facing formidable barriers in access to finance. There exists a sizeable ‘missing middle’ where MSMEs in early- to growth-stage remain underserved by financiers. Research by the ASEAN CSR Network, Oxfam and AVPN shows that this gap ranges from USD5,000 to USD200,000. The problem is even more pronounced for women entrepreneurs, who do not generally receive the same level of resources as men to tackle financial challenges. A free and public webinar on this topic will be conducted on 21 June 2018, 3-4PM (Singapore time). It will highlight the key findings:
In addition, a closed-door roundtable discussion on the topic will be held on 27 June 2018. This event is by-invitation only.
Read the full report here.
View the "Financing and Technical Support Options for MSMEs in ASEAN" directory here. Check out the infographics here. |
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NETWORK NEWS |
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In an effort to empower young entrepreneurs in the region, the ASEAN Foundation, through its flagship ASEAN Farmers’ Organisation Support Programme (AFOSP), conducted a workshop entitled "Validating Your Business Idea" at the ASEAN Youth Expo 2018 on 3 May 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Learn more about the workshop here. |
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Sustainable business practices are spearheading Vietnam’s development, according to Nguyen Quang Vinh, General Secretary of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry at a conference held in Hanoi on 8 May 2018. Using the Corporate Sustainability Index as a metric to assess sustainability among businesses in Vietnam, the conference aimed to recognize Vietnamese businesses that have contributed to sustainable development, and to encourage other businesses to do the same. |
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PARTNER EVENTS |
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4-7 June 2018
AVPN Conference Singapore 4-6 June 2018 AICHR Interregional Dialogue: Sharing Good Practices on Business and Human Rights Bangkok
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ASEAN NEWS |
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Read more from Straits times here.
Read more at Salaam Gateway here.
Read more from Eco-Business here. |
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GLOBAL NEWS |
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According to the Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2017 by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), countries in the Asia Pacific region have made satisfactory advancements towards achieving some Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, but the progress remains uneven. Launched at the 74th Commission session (CS74) on 11 May 2018 in Bangkok, the report assesses the progress of SDG implementation in the region two years after its adoption. The Report shows improvement towards eradicating poverty (Goal 1), promoting health and well-being (Goal 3), and achieving quality education for all (Goal 4). Yet on the other hand, 37 out of 57 analysed targets show insufficient progress in the region, and negative trends are noted on 7 targets showed negative trends. These include targets related to decent work and economic growth (Goal 8), industry (Goal 9), climate action (Goal 13) and sustainable use of oceans and forests (Goals 14 and 15). Read more from UNESCAP here.
Read more from CNBC here. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (Ifaw) revealed the online sale of endangered and threatened wildlife is rife across Europe, ranging from live cheetahs, orangutans and bears to ivory, polar bear skins and many live reptiles and birds. The investigation, which covered the UK, Germany, France and Russia, found over 5,000 ads selling almost 12,000 items, worth $4m (£3m) in total, all species that are restricted or banned for trade by the global Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species. These include ivory, live orangutans and a huge number of reptiles and birds. Read more from The Guardian here. |
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FEATURES |
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From Eco-Business: Accounting for sustainability, the Asian way By Feng Zengkun From Mongabay: Debate ensues over British supermarket chain’s decision to ban palm oil By Loren Bell From Sustainable Brands: #BusinessCase: Employee-Led Sustainability Projects Have Saved Conagra $237M By Sustainable Brands From Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Making forest concessions in the tropics work to achieve the 2030 Agenda: Voluntary Guidelines By FAO From IPS Commons: Building resilient communities in the age of disinformation By IPS Commons |
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Participating Organisations
Indonesia - Indonesia Business Links Malaysia - International Chamber of Commerce - Malaysia
Philippines - League of Corporate Foundations
Singapore - Global Compact Network Singapore
ASEAN - ASEAN Foundation
Vietnam - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Myanmar - Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry
If your country does not have a Participating Organisation formalised as a convenor yet, you may contact the Secretariat of the ASEAN CSR Network directly. ASEAN CSR Network is a company limited by guarantee in Singapore, with charity status as an International Charitable Organisation (ICO) and is an ASEAN accredited Entity. Our mailing address is: ASEAN CSR Network 10 Hoe Chiang Road, #08-03 Keppel Towers Singapore 089315 info@asean-csr-network.org Copyright © 2017, ASEAN CSR Network, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preference or unsubscribe from this list |