At the CSRACA's internal campus launch on 2 February 2010,
officials expressed confidence that the center signaled a new era for
advancing corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Thailand and the
region.
officials expressed confidence that the center signaled a new era for
advancing corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Thailand and the
region.
“The opportunities for AIT to pursue research, consultancy, case
studies, education, short course trainings, and workshops on the issue
of corporate social responsibility are endless,” the Chairman of AIT’s
newest partner, CSR Asia, Prof. Richard Welford, said at an open panel
discussion on “Opportunities for AIT in the field of CSR,” which
coincided with the opening.
studies, education, short course trainings, and workshops on the issue
of corporate social responsibility are endless,” the Chairman of AIT’s
newest partner, CSR Asia, Prof. Richard Welford, said at an open panel
discussion on “Opportunities for AIT in the field of CSR,” which
coincided with the opening.
Speaking as a panelist at the launch, AIT President Said Irandoust
stressed that AIT’s collaboration with CSR Asia affirms the Institute’s
intent to be a regional thought leader in the field of CSR. President
Irandoust called the 50/50 joint venture “extremely timely” and said it
would serve to meet explosive regional demand for new knowledge in what
is a fast growing field. Through this partnership with CSR Asia, AIT
will be able to provide a wide array of services on CSR for multiple
stakeholders at a regional level, he said.
stressed that AIT’s collaboration with CSR Asia affirms the Institute’s
intent to be a regional thought leader in the field of CSR. President
Irandoust called the 50/50 joint venture “extremely timely” and said it
would serve to meet explosive regional demand for new knowledge in what
is a fast growing field. Through this partnership with CSR Asia, AIT
will be able to provide a wide array of services on CSR for multiple
stakeholders at a regional level, he said.
He added that the new center compliments and adds momentum to a number
of other centers and offices located on campus, such as the ASEAN
Regional Center on Millennium Development Goals (ARCMDG), the AIT
Center of Excellence on Sustainable Development in the Context of
Climate Change (SDCC), the Yunus Center at AIT, the 3R Concept
Knowledge Hub, and the UNEP Regional Resource Center for
Asia-Pacific.
of other centers and offices located on campus, such as the ASEAN
Regional Center on Millennium Development Goals (ARCMDG), the AIT
Center of Excellence on Sustainable Development in the Context of
Climate Change (SDCC), the Yunus Center at AIT, the 3R Concept
Knowledge Hub, and the UNEP Regional Resource Center for
Asia-Pacific.
Prof. Welford, who is also an adjunct faculty member at AIT’s
School of Management, emphasized that the center is an equal
partnership designed as a win-win option for both parties. A key
element in the new center’s plan is to develop a Professional Master’s
degree in CSR. “There is a considerable demand for this type of
professional qualification by CSR practitioners,” he said.
School of Management, emphasized that the center is an equal
partnership designed as a win-win option for both parties. A key
element in the new center’s plan is to develop a Professional Master’s
degree in CSR. “There is a considerable demand for this type of
professional qualification by CSR practitioners,” he said.
Mentioning CSR Asia’s previous partnerships with AIT, such the
joint hosting of the CSR Asia Summit 2008, Prof. Welford stressed that
the center would pursue a highly inclusive relationship with AIT, and
collaborate closely with AIT Extension, the three Schools, the Career
Center, the External Relations and Communications Office, and also with
other centers such as the Yunus Center at AIT, and the ASEAN Regional
Center of Excellence on MDGs.
joint hosting of the CSR Asia Summit 2008, Prof. Welford stressed that
the center would pursue a highly inclusive relationship with AIT, and
collaborate closely with AIT Extension, the three Schools, the Career
Center, the External Relations and Communications Office, and also with
other centers such as the Yunus Center at AIT, and the ASEAN Regional
Center of Excellence on MDGs.
The new Director of the CSRACA, Leena Wokeck, said poverty,
meeting the MDGs, climate change, water and resources scarcity, and
gender and development would be first year priorities.
meeting the MDGs, climate change, water and resources scarcity, and
gender and development would be first year priorities.
Ms. Wokeck noted that AIT’s long pedigree and established
expertise in the area of sustainable development was a hugely
beneficial match for CSR Asia. “There are endless opportunities to
engage with the private sector on these critical issues,” she said. “We
are mapping out the expertise at AIT in order to connect academic
talent to private sector demand,” she said, adding that the CSRACA
would be self-financed.
expertise in the area of sustainable development was a hugely
beneficial match for CSR Asia. “There are endless opportunities to
engage with the private sector on these critical issues,” she said. “We
are mapping out the expertise at AIT in order to connect academic
talent to private sector demand,” she said, adding that the CSRACA
would be self-financed.
Launch panelist Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director of AIT Extension, noted
that while the venture would challenge some prevailing notions about
CSR, the center offered hugely beneficial possibilities for AIT’s
learning, research, training and outreach. “Business as usual is not an
option,” he said.
that while the venture would challenge some prevailing notions about
CSR, the center offered hugely beneficial possibilities for AIT’s
learning, research, training and outreach. “Business as usual is not an
option,” he said.
The Interim Director of the Yunus Center at AIT, Borje Wallberg, also
emphasized the possibilities for AIT to leverage private sector funds
to realize social benefit goals, such as through social business
ventures. “This type of initiative will bring AIT closer to the CSR
issue and the private sector closer to the sustainable development
issue,” he said.
emphasized the possibilities for AIT to leverage private sector funds
to realize social benefit goals, such as through social business
ventures. “This type of initiative will bring AIT closer to the CSR
issue and the private sector closer to the sustainable development
issue,” he said.
Such optimism prevailed on the first working day of the CSR Asia Center
at AIT. Ultimately, the private sector must be a part of the solution
to solving these critical issues of our time, Prof. Welford said,
reiterating the CSR Asia and CSRACA AIT motto: “Business Solutions to
Global Challenges.”
at AIT. Ultimately, the private sector must be a part of the solution
to solving these critical issues of our time, Prof. Welford said,
reiterating the CSR Asia and CSRACA AIT motto: “Business Solutions to
Global Challenges.”
ACCSR Director Leena Wokeck addresses a large
crowd gathered for the internal
launch. Panelists included, from right, Prof. Richard
Welford, President Said Irandoust, and Dr. Jonathan
Shaw.