Speaking at the launch of the Center at a function at the Foreign
Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT), the minister stated that
“Ministry of Foreign Affairs is more than keen to be your (Center’s)
partner.” We will push for CSR in all the international fora under our
responsibility, including ASEAN, ASEM and APEC, he remarked. “Our
diplomatic missions can serve as a channel of communication and
cooperation with various international fora active in CSR issues, as
well as monitor the movement of CSR internationally, so as to
facilitate the dialogue and exchange of CSR initiatives and best
practices.”
The Minister was the guest of honour of the Global Launch of the CSR
Center at AIT. He described CSR as the “new code of conduct” on
business ethics in today’s globalized world. The Minister remarked that
while the term CSR has been imported from the West, the practice of
social responsibility in favor of caring society is already ingrained
in Eastern philosophy, particularly Buddhism.
“In this time of much greater awareness of our place in the world –
our need for sustainable coexistence with our environment – CSR is the
commitment by the business community to society that greater focus will
now be placed on ethical business processes and actions,” the Minister
said. Stating that Thailand is becoming an investment exporter, the
Minister stated that the conduct of Thai business entities abroad
inevitably reflect back on Thailand and could affect relations between
Thailand and countries where Thai companies are investing.
The Minister warned that there have been previous examples in which
Thai foreign investments were carried out, especially at the so-called
launching of the concept of turning battlefields into market places,
without due regard to local communities and sensitivity. “That is why
CSR is also important to foreign affairs and the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs,” H.E. Mr. Piromya remarked.
The Minister hoped that the CSR Asia Center at AIT would draw from the
best traditions of strengths of ethics and social responsibility
traditions of the West and the East to develop CSR initiatives
befitting the Asian business environment. He called for all to join
hands to support the CSR Asia Center at AIT, for creating a better and
more caring society in Thailand, in Asia and beyond.
The launch ceremony at the FCCT was attended by over 140 delegates
from various sectors and was followed by a press conference. Earlier
the President of Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Prof. Said
Irandoust signed a formal agreement with Chairman of CSR Asia, Dr.
Richard Welford for the establishment of this Center amidst the august
presence of H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya.
The entire text of the Minister's speech can be read at this link.
Press briefing at the Foreign
Correspondents' Club of Thailand after the launch of the CSR Asia
Center at AIT.