Webinar: Preparing for the New Reality: Institutional Mechanisms for Addressing Responsible Business Practices in Southeast Asia

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 six-part weekly webinar series will examine 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.

The first webinar in the series, "Preparing for the New Reality: Institutional Mechanisms for Addressing Responsible Business Practices in Southeast Asia," will discuss 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.

The dates and themes of the subsequent webinars are as follows:

- 2nd Webinar: September 9 (Wed) 10:30-12:00 JST - Engaging Southeast Asia’s Labour Force
- 3rd Webinar: September 16 (Wed) 10:30-12:00 JST - Migration and Reinforcement of Social Protection
- 4th Webinar: September 23 (Wed) 10:30-12:00 JST - Delivering Post-Covid Recovery and Fighting Inequalities by Sustainable Finance
- 5th Webinar: September 30 (Wed) 10:30-12:00 JST - Business Imperatives of Environmental Protection
- Final Webinar: October 7 (Wed) 10:30-12:00 JST - The Future of Responsible Business in Southeast Asia

Full webinar program available here（343.9ＫＢ）