Co-creating Sustainable and Inclusive Migration Governance

Across Asia and globally, expectations for governments and businesses to uphold human rights in migration governance are evolving rapidly. Countries are strengthening labour mobility systems and introducing new due‑diligence requirements following the development of international frameworks on Business and Human Rights. Together with emerging regulations in major markets, companies are increasingly expected to demonstrate greater transparency, responsible business practices, and meaningful engagement with rights holders and affected communities. As migration becomes one of the major and complex political issues in many countries, governments are increasingly expected to design systems that are not only efficient but also aligned with international standards.

Japan is also at a pivotal moment. Major reforms are underway, including the transition from the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) to the new Employment for Skills Development (ESD) scheme, and the implementation of the 2nd National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. Under the “Comprehensive Measures for Promoting a Society of Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals,” a number of practical measures are being discussed. As Japan deepens its economic and diplomatic ties with Southeast Asian countries and relies more heavily on migrant workers from the region to address labour shortages, developments within ASEAN offer important lessons for Japan’s evolving approach.

In 2018, the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) in Indonesia and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) launched a partnership to strengthen cross‑regional collaboration and ensure that the experiences of migrants, their communities, and civil society actors inform policy discussions in both origin and destination countries. This collaboration led to the creation of BEBESEA (Better Engagement Between East and Southeast Asia), an advocacy platform that facilitates multistakeholder cooperation across borders.

Against this backdrop, this symposium invites participants to explore recent regional developments and reflect on lessons from BEBESEA initiatives that work collaboratively with impacted communities, their supporters, civil society organisations, and experts with lived and learned experience to influence regional and national policy developments in the ASEAN region and engage with business actors in East Asia. By convening experts and key actors, the event aims to deepen understanding, foster dialogue, and support meaningful multistakeholder engagement in shaping migration governance that is effective, sustainable, and grounded in real‑world experience.

This seminar will be held online only.
If you wish to participate, please register from this page by 12:00 on Wednesday, August 5 (JST).
Once your registration is complete, we will provide the access link in the registration confirmation email.

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https://www.bebesea.asia/