About the Webinar Series
Southeast Asia has experienced rapid economic growth over recent decades which have resulted in notable achievements such as the reduction of poverty and the rise of the region’s middle class. However, business activities have also resulted in sustainable development and human rights challenges in a region where its nations are still evolving in their transition towards democracy, respect for the rule of law, and good governance. The current Covid-19 pandemic, difficult conditions within Southeast Asia’s countries, major geopolitical shifts, and international trade tensions also threaten to downsize some of the emerging sustainability transitions. This 6-part weekly webinar series examines the new forms of social projects and responsible practices undertaken by states, private sector, and responsible business stakeholders in addressing the impacts of business activities on Southeast Asia’s individuals, societies, and the environment. Addressing these impacts and challenges — and other key social issues that need to be protected and mitigated across nation states, supply chains, and industries — will be crucial to promote an enabling responsible business environment for the region’s sustainable, long term and inclusive growth.
Download the programme here. (Updated 29 September 2020)
Registration
This webinar series will be delivered online entirely. You can join the webinars at the specified date and time using devices (computer, phone, or tablet) with internet connection.
Please register for each session to receive your unique link for joining the webinars. Limited spaces only, register early to avoid disappointment.
To join the webinar,
1. Install the Zoom client onto your computer or download the app on your mobile device.
2. Set up a Zoom account, using the following link: https://zoom.us/signup
3. Click on the unique link in your email.
For the best experience, please mute your microphone. If you have questions for the speakers, please key in your questions via the Q&A feature, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.
Simultaneous interpreting is available in Japanese during the webinars.
Preparing for the New Reality: Institutional Mechanisms for Addressing Responsible Business Practices in Southeast Asia
Wednesday, 2 September 2020
GMT 1.30am (Tokyo 10.30am – 12pm, Singapore 9.30am – 11am)
Read the event highlight here.
The gradual progress and gains achieved in promoting an enabling environment for responsible business practices have the potential to be eroded by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This webinar discusses the state of existing, potential, and future challenges to enhancing institutional mechanisms and coordination for responsible business practices to be mainstreamed into national and subnational policies and integrated across sectors. It will explore how different stakeholders and actors can work together to prevent, mitigate and remediate adverse impacts of the Covid-19 on business activities and their repercussions on individuals and society. Joining the webinar discussion will be Professor Surya Deva who will examine the role of states in promoting responsible business conduct in times of Covid-19, Professor Dato Aishah Bidin will speak on the role of National Human Rights Institutions in responsible business during and post-Covid19, Professor Zhang Wanhong will examine business and human rights in China before and after Covid-19 and Dr Serina Abdul Rahman will look into the role of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil in Malaysia and Indonesia. Ms Akiko Sato is the moderator of the webinar.
The webinar will begin with Welcoming Remarks on the ISEAS-SPF webinar series by Director of ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Mr Choi Shing Kwok, and President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Dr Atsushi Sunami.
Webinar series welcoming remarks:
Director
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
President
Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Speakers:
Member
UN Working Group on Business & Human Rights
Professor
Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia
Professor
Wuhan University School of Law
Visiting Fellow
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
Moderator:
Deputy Secretary General
Human Rights Now
Engaging Southeast Asia’s Labour Force
Wednesday, 9 September 2020
GMT 1.30am (Tokyo 10.30am – 12pm, Singapore 9.30am – 11am)
Read the event highlight here.
While Southeast Asia has been riding on the wave of globalization that has brought benefits and economic growth with expanding trade and investment linkages, such global integration has also exposed fractures in the protection of the region’s labour force that have been crucial to business and country investments. Fast-paced economic development has come at the expense of labour and human rights protection in several countries. Recent geo-political instabilities and the Covid-19 pandemic has also exposed its fragility – disruptions in supply chains, lockdowns and cessation of trade have wide-ranging adverse effects on vulnerable populations and societies. This webinar will examine the wide variances in responsible business practices within, as well as across, countries in Southeast Asia, and how companies and business can step up their efforts to ensure that Southeast Asia’s labour force, in particular its vulnerable groups, can benefit from better protection and access to remedy. In this webinar, Dr Oliver Tappe will examine “Artisanal and Small-scale Mining in Laos: Local Subsistence Strategies, New Frontier Capitalism and Shifting Labour Relations”, Dr Vannarith Chheang will examine “Chinese Investments in Cambodia and their Challenges for Business and Human Rights”, Dr Su Yin Htun will speak on “Sustainable Development in a Local Community: the Mining Sector in Myanmar”, and Dr Tham Siew Yean will speak on “Foreign Workers and Human Rights in Malaysia”. Dr Benjamin Loh is the moderator of the webinar.
Speakers:
Associate Fellow
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
President
Asian Vision Institute
Associate Professor
Department of Law
University of Mandalay
Visiting Senior Fellow
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
Professor Emeritus
Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia
Moderator:
Senior Fellow
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
Migration and Reinforcement of Social Protection
Wednesday, 16 September 2020
GMT 1.30am (Tokyo 10.30am – 12pm, Singapore 9.30am – 11am)
Read the event highlight here.
Labour migration has been an important factor supporting the growth and development of the Southeast Asian region, filling labour shortages in countries of destination and providing much needed employment opportunities for workers in countries of origin. However, in spite of migrant workers’ vital role in increasing the region’s labour market efficiency, they are often subjected to abuses during recruitment and employment and are unable to make use of the social protection benefits to which they are entitled. This webinar examines the experiences and challenges of migrant workers in countries of origin and destination, and explore how businesses can play key roles in promoting responsible migration and decent work. During the webinar, Dr Darian McBain will speak on “Human Trafficking in the Thailand’s Seafood Industries”, Dr Wako Asato will touch on the “Migration Policy Reform and its Implementation in Japan”, Professor Reiko Ogawa will examine “Southeast Asian Migrant Workers in Japanese Long-term Care Facilities”, and Dr Lee Hwok Aun will talk about “Migrant Labour and Social Protection in Malaysia”. Dr Akihiro Ueda is the moderator of the webinar.
Speakers:
Global Director
Thai Union
Kyoto University
Professor
Chiba University
Senior Fellow
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
Moderator:
Program Officer
Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Delivering Post-Covid Recovery and Fighting Inequalities by Sustainable Finance
Wednesday, 23 September 2020
GMT 1.30am (Tokyo 10.30am – 12pm, Singapore 9.30am – 11am)
Read the event highlight here.
The finance sector has an important role in driving more responsible sustainable business practices to advance positive social and human rights impacts in the fight against climate change, environmental degradation and social inequalities whilst making supply chains more resilient and sustainable. In the current Covid-19 pandemic, there is also an urgent need for the finance sector to engage with governments, businesses, investors and civil society to work collectively to protect people and jobs, and to work towards a sustainable recovery pathway. This webinar will discuss the role of the finance sector in driving more responsible business practices and investments in support of a sustainable and inclusive post-COVID recovery, as well as in reducing social inequalities. In this webinar, Dr Youngho Chang will speak on “Credit Guarantee Scheme and Start-up Businesses: Financial Pipelines and Successful Start-ups in South East Asia”, Mr Sylvain Augoyard will speak on the “Role of Central Banks and Regulators, and How Finance can be a Force for Good”, and Dr Sukich Udindu will look into efforts at “ Financing the Sustainable Business in Thailand”. Dr Cassey Lee is the moderator of the session.
Speakers:
Moderator:
Associate Professor of Economics
School of Business
Singapore University of Social Sciences
Vice President
Asia Sustainable Finance
WWF-Singapore
Director
SEAMEO Regional Centre for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustainability
Senior Fellow
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
Business Imperatives of Environmental Protection
Wednesday, 30 September 2020
GMT 1.30am (Tokyo 10.30am – 12pm, Singapore 9.30am – 11am)
Read the event highlight here.
Sustainable climate and environment initiatives were on a gradual trajectory to the mainstream with the integration of material environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investments and portfolio solutions. However the Covid-19 pandemic has shifted priorities away from climate and environmental protection to focus on crisis management, and scarce financial resources have been redirected to support economies, business, people, and jobs. This webinar examines the impact of the pandemic on the momentum for environmental protection and sustainable ESG investing into Southeast Asia, and how countries can optimise post-loss funding capacity and budgetary discipline to protect and sustain existing and future ESG projects. The webinar will feature Dr Diana Suhardiman who will speak on “(Re)assembling State power through the Laos-China Railway Project”, Dr Angela Tritto who will speak on “Making the Belt and Road Environmentally Sustainable in Southeast Asia”, Professor Zhang Ling who will touch on the “Environmental and Social Governance of Chinese Investments into Southeast Asia” and Dr Diane Tang-Lee who will examine “ESG and Tailings Management in the Southeast Asia’s Mining Industry”. Ms Sharon Seah is the moderator of the session.
Speakers:
Senior Researcher
International Water Management Institute
Postdoctoral Fellow
Institute of Emerging Market Studies
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Director
Legal Research Center for Regional Energy Cooperation
Yunnan University of Finance and Economics
Manager
International Council on Mining and Metals
Moderator:
Coordinator
ASEAN Studies Centre
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
The Future of Responsible Business in Southeast Asia
Wednesday, 7 October 2020
GMT 1.30am (Tokyo 10.30am – 12pm, Singapore 9.30am – 11am)
Read the event highlight here.
The current pandemic coincides with an exceptional and challenging time for Southeast Asia as its countries try to navigate difficult internal conditions, major geopolitical shifts, and international trade tensions. The challenges appear to be many for the future of responsible business in the region where the corporate sector have been already lagging behind societal demands for responsibility. This panel discussion examines how governments, businesses, industry associations, civil society organizations, and business and human rights stakeholders can respond to the challenges facing responsible business, and what will be needed to prepare for the changes that lie ahead in efforts to tackle societal problems like climate change, and the impacts of business activities on individuals and societies.
Speakers:
CEO
ASEAN Corporate Social Responsibility Network
Executive Director
ASEAN Foundation
Executive Director, JETRO Singapore
and Special Advisor to METI, Japan
Director
Law and Institution Studies Group
Institute of Developing Economies, JETRO
Moderator:
East Asia Senior Researcher & Representative
Business and Human Rights Resource Centre
Senior Fellow
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute