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ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Interregional Dialogue
Sharing Good Practices on Business and Human Rights
10-11 June 2019, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, Thailand
Business and human rights are both important to achieve a sustainable and successful business. Business entities need to respect HR, provide a platform for dialogue and share best practices in HR issues such as land issues, slavery, child labour and human trafficking. Human rights due diligence is mandatory. There is growing expectation that companies become take a more proactive role to fulfill their responsibilities in HR issues.
Some of the sessions include discussions on UNGP Global Progress, ASEAN and UNGP, ASEAN Supply Chain Management in HR Due Diligence, Gender Lense and Business and Human Rights in ASEAN, UNGP & the role of institutional investor, UNGP beyond ASEAN, Free trade agreements and sustainability, and Partnership for Change.
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS & HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM
12-13 June 2019, United Nation Building, Bangkok
Amazing session participated by sixty countries, 760 participants, in which 1only 10% are academics while the rest are from the government, industry, NGOs and even trade union. Interestingly, 53% of the participants are female…
Discussions revolves on the 2030 Agenda and the role of business in achieving the sustainable development goals. There’s also session on governments taking action through deepening policy coherence, tools to address climate change and human rights impacts.
Frankly, this event is like a giant meeting where various stakeholders come together and voice out their views. I make friends with representative from Ikea company, oil and gas company, car manufacturing companies and many more. This is totally a new experience and exposure. Its great to see that human rights is being considered not only at the theoretical level or academic level but the issue has also been inclusively shared to various companies and organizations.
The 3rd REGIONAL MEETING ON
BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION
10-13 June 2019, Courtyard of Marriott, Bangkok, Thailand
A get-together with approximately 46 participants from China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam as well as representative from Norwegian Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) who also sponsored the meeting.
People shared their reflections on the three day forum. Some feel that business and human rights are a bit of a challenge and social misfits. Companies are sometimes tired of various human rights surveys that seem to repeat things. If the company are being frank, they will be criticized, but if the company ignore the surveys made, the NGOs will said that there is no response. The companies just want to get on with their work, make their job as smooth as possible, has no connection with civil society groups to conduct sincere consultation on matters that may affect human rights.