詳細

In the past decades, the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been recognized as a fundamental component for sustainable development amongst businesses around the globe. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) specified CSR as “the way through which a company achieves a balance of economic, environmental and social imperatives, while at the same time addressing the expectations of shareholders and stakeholders.” Key elements within this “Triple-Bottom-Line-Approach” were identified as, for instance, non-discrimination, fair wages, accountability, stakeholder engagement, environmental sustainability and the implementation of labor standards.

Against the backdrop of continuous economic growth throughout Asian countries, CSR has also become a factor of utmost importance to be considered by Asian corporations. However, research found that the adaptation of CSR in Asia is not of a homogenous character, but varied highly, depending on the respective national business systems. While some countries, such as Japan and Korea, have thoroughly implemented CSR policies in most sectors, other Asian nations are still facing numerous hurdles, which are yet to be overcome.

Considering the culturally and socio-economically diverse setting, this conference aims to discuss, analyze and uncover the chances and challenges of implementing CSR policies from various perspectives. Questions of substance for discussion include, among others, the Asian corporate sector’s stance towards CSR, as well as the Asian media’s role in communicating CSR-related issues to the public. This international and intercultural context of the overarching theme is met by an equally multifaceted panel of experts from multiple Asian countries.

Venue:Sofitel Saigon Plaza

17 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1,

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Language:Vietnamese – English (simultaneous interpretation)

Wednesday, November 19th, 2014

10:30 a.m.

Registration of Participants

Venue: Sofitel Saigon Plaza, Room: Diamond A

11:00 a.m.

Opening Address

Paul Linnarz, Regional Representative for Economic Policy, Resident Representative for Japan, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

11:30 a.m.

Introductory Statement

N.N.

12:00 p.m.

Keynote Address

Nguyen Quang Vinh, General Secretary, The Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development, Director General, Office for Business Sustainable Development

12:30 p.m.

Lunch Break

Venue: Café Rivoli, Sofitel Saigon Plaza

02:00 p.m.

Session 1: How much and what kind of Corporate Social Responsibility do employers and investors have to provide and how should they react in crisis situations?

Panellists:

Ruhi M. Ahmed, Lead CSR, PR & Communication, BSRM Group of Companies, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Sam Lee, CEO, InnoCSR, China

Jerry Bernas, Program Director, ASEAN CSR Network, Singapore

(followed by Q&A)

Moderator:

Ravindra Kumar, Editor, The Statesman, Kolkata, India (tbc)

03:30 p.m.

Coffee Break

04:00 p.m.

Session 2: From the Asian Media point of view: What are the “Do’s & Dont's” of communicating Corporate Social Responsibility via traditional public relations as well as in social online networks?

Panellists:

Itthiporn SaeTan, Journalist/Editor, The Nation, Thailand

Aneez Shihar, Correspondent, Thomson Reuters, Sri Lanka

Edi Utama, Senior Editor, Expert Staff member for News Policy, Antara News Agency, Indonesia

(followed by Q&A)

Moderator:

Alastair Carthew, Journalist, Thailand

05:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Rabea Brauer, Resident Representative for Vietnam, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

06:00 p.m.

End of Conference

• This programme is subject to change.