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CSR ASEAN:
A Network of CSR Practitioners in ASEAN Countries

 

Background

There is now broad agreement in the corporate sector as well as in academic circles that corporate social responsibility (CSR) involves more than the traditional philanthropic activities and covers issues such as corporate governance, human resource management, regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship, and community outreach. In its highly developed form, CSR is viewed as an essential component of the core strategic functions of the enterprise and therefore must be consistent with the mission and vision of the organization. CSR activities must be supportive of the concept of sustainable development and equitable sharing of resources across society.

The Blueprint for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (2008-2015) includes as part of its strategic objectives ensuring that corporate social responsibility is incorporated in the corporate agenda and contributes towards sustainable socio-economic development in ASEAN Member States. The Blueprint, in particular, mandates the ASEAN Foundation to engage the private sector in building the ASEAN Community through, among others, the promotion of corporate social responsibility.

The ASEAN Foundation

The ASEAN Foundation was established by the ASEAN Leaders on 15 December 1997 to help bring about shared prosperity and a sustainable future to the entire ASEAN region. It is enshrined in Article 15 of the ASEAN Charter, the constitution of the ASEAN Community, and mandated to support ASEAN community building by promoting close collaboration among the business sector, civil society, academia and other stakeholders in the region. Given this mandate, the ASEAN Foundation gives priority to promoting strategic alliances and partnerships among various ASEAN stakeholders, in particular, the business sector.

CSR ASEAN: A Network of CSR Practitioners in ASEAN Countries

The ASEAN Foundation recognizes the important role that the business sector (corporate foundations, corporations, business groups, etc.) plays in human development and poverty alleviation and their potential to help promote people-to-people interaction and greater ASEAN awareness. The ASEAN Foundation, therefore, envisions establishing a network closely linking these groups, with itself serving as an umbrella organization or lead convenor. This network of CSR practitioners in the ten ASEAN countries will be referred to as CSR ASEAN.

CSR ASEAN will provide a platform for corporate foundations and corporations to integrate corporate social responsibility in their corporate agenda and thereby contributing towards sustainable socio-economic development in ASEAN Member States.

Specifically, the objectives of CSR ASEAN are to:

  • Establish a comprehensive database of corporate foundations, corporations and other organizations with CSR initiatives in the region;
  • Identify gaps among CSR programs in different ASEAN countries;
  • Share and document best practices, new and emerging frameworks and strategies in CSR in the region;
  • Promote the integration of CSR into the core business and operation;
  • Promote exchange of learning and experiences and replication of successful programs in the region; and
  • Develop cooperation and partnerships with similar networks in other regions such as CSR Europe and the like.

Membership

Membership in CSR ASEAN is open to corporate foundations and corporations, NGOs, business groups and other organizations with active CSR activities in the ASEAN region. As a member of CSR ASEAN, one can, among others:

  • Engage in a broad range of activities such as sharing CSR best practices with peers from a range of sectors and industries;
  • Collaborate in the implementation of joint projects among members;
  • Engage in CSR policy development at various levels;
  • Provide inputs to the on-going process of formulating ISO 26000 – Guidance on Social Responsibility;
  • Receive regular information and updates on relevant news and events;
  • Attend meetings, conferences and other activities organized by CSR ASEAN;
  • Attend in meetings or conferences organized by the ASEAN Foundation during which distinguished experts and personalities will be invited to lecture or present topics that are of particular interest to the members of CSR ASEAN and of relevance to the ASEAN region; and
  • Avail of funding available from the ASEAN Foundation for relevant projects and activities.

Organizations can apply for CSR ASEAN membership by providing the ASEAN Foundation with the following information: (a) organizational profile; and (b) the organization’s CSR activities.

The ASEAN Foundation will provide initial financial support to get the network properly organized. Once the network’s organizational structure is in place, the leadership and management of CSR ASEAN will decide on issues related to long term financial and operational viability such as the possibility of collecting membership fees, fund raising activities, and the like.

Initial Activities

The ASEAN Foundation has provided some funds to the Asian Institute of Management's RVR Center For Corporate Social Responsibility under the project entitled, "Promoting Mutual Assistance Among Corporate Foundations in ASEAN" to help promote and establish the network. The ASEAN Foundation will also provide some financial support to the League of Corporate Foundations (Philippines) to organize a roundtable between CSR ASEAN and CSR Europe to help develop partnership between the two CSR regional networks.

 

For more information, please contact:

ASEAN Foundation
2 Jl Sam Ratulangi, Menteng
10350 Jakarta, Indonesia
Email: secretariat@aseanfoundation.org
Tel: +62.21.3192.4833 / 4828
Fax: +62.21.3192.6078