8.20.2004 ET

(CSRwire) More than 200 delegates from corporations around the world will gather in Kuala Lumpur this September to discuss how they can make a more significant impact on the societies and communities in Asia in which they operate at a time when countries in the region are debating the impact and benefits of global trade.

This year, the third annual Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will be held in Kuala Lumpur with the theme "Driving Forces for CSR - Altruism or Economics?" and senior executives from several nations representing government, corporate and NGOs will discuss whether CSR be sustained by one without the other.

Leading the Forum this year will be two governors from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) - Tan Sri Dato' Seri (Dr.) Ahmad Sarji Bin Abdul Hamid, Chairman of Permodalan Nasional Bhd and Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Lin See-Yan, Chairman of LIN Associates Sdn Bhd - who will co-chair the event with Mr. Ramon R. del Rosario, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Advisors, Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. AIM Center for Corporate Responsibility.

"As multinationals and local corporations grow, they must go beyond just creating profit for the shareholders and look at the interest of the stakeholders and communities in which they do business," said Del Rosario, Jr.

"CSR allows companies to go beyond basic public relations and address the company's core values and philosophy through its external social agenda," added del Rosario, Jr.

Sponsored in Malaysia by The Coca-Cola Company, Shell and Genting Group, the Conference aims to highlight innovative programs and best practices in CSR by corporations in Asia and to promote CSR as a key strategy in addressing public needs and problems, as well as showcase corporate innovation in CSR in Asia while promoting new thinking and standards on CSR as strategy.

The Conference will be opened by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and will include a combination of plenary and concurrent workshop sessions featuring business and political leaders, as well as high-ranking executives from international organizations and non-government organizations from all over the world.

A feature of the Conference will be the Asian Expo on Corporate Social Responsibility, which is a comprehensive showcase of the latest solutions, products and technology designed for corporate players to improve quality, reduce costs and increase the productivity of their departments while being socially responsible.

"As the region grows economically, many companies in Asia are beginning to integrate CSR into their corporate culture and are involved in a range of creative public-private sector partnerships to address an array of community needs, from education to healthcare, said del Rosario, Jr.

"Reputation is no longer an intangible, but a valuable asset recognized by investors who have introduced socially responsible investment funds."

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