9.16.2003 ET

(CSRwire) BANGKOK, THAILAND - Over 330 representatives of Asian governments, businesses and non-government organizations (NGOs) are meeting this week in Bangkok to share experiences on how collaboration between them benefits society and their own organizations. At the second annual Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility on September 18 and 19, they will consider the opportunities for multi-sector collaboration to address development challenges in the region. H. E. Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, will present the Asian CSR Awards and deliver the Forum's closing address. The Asian Institute of Management's Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. - AIM Center for Corporate Responsibility is presenting the Forum, in partnership with The Ford Foundation and support from The Coca-Cola Company, Siam Cement Group, Shell and Philip Morris (Thailand) Ltd.

"Countries throughout the region are experiencing significant changes in the fabric of their societies," said Senator Mechai Viravaidya, co-chairman of the Forum. "Against this backdrop, comes a renewed need to forge and maintain collaborative initiatives to help foster business skills in local communities." For this reason, organizers have made "Business, Government and Civil Society Collaboration: Meeting the Challenges Ahead" the theme for this year's forum.

"For many business leaders, it is difficult to know where their responsibilities begin and end in relation to building infrastructure, creating economic opportunities, and access to core services such as health and education," said Mr. Ramon R. del Rosario Jr., co-chairman of the Forum. "Experience has made one thing certain, sustainable solutions at community, provincial and national levels are based on partnerships between government, civil society and business."

The Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility will include presentations on collaborative and sustainable approaches to environmental management, economic development, education, microenterprise, and HIV/AIDS prevention by representatives of the three sectors. Plenary speakers include Thai Senator Mechai Viravaidya, Oscar Lopez, Chairman of the Lopez Group of Companies, Patrick Siewert, group president for Coca-Cola East and South Asia, Steven Pierce, a director for Synergos Institute, Anthony Pramualratana and William Black, director and founder respectively for Asian Business Coalition on AIDS, among others.

In addition to The Coca-Cola Company, Siam Cement Group, Shell and Philip Morris (Thailand) Ltd., AFSCR is supported by official industry partners Mirant Philippines, APCO Asia, American International Group, Inc. (AIG), Philamlife, Bangkok Bank and Figaro Coffee Company. Twenty-eight regional and international non-governmental sector, business and media organizations have assisted in planning the conference. For more information about the Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility, visit the Forum's website www.asianforumcsr.com.

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