[CSR Asia] The Business Case for Working with Myanmar Diaspora

November 17, 2015 - November 17, 2015
CSO Event

This event follows on from our event in Yangon in January 2015, where we invited leading companies operating in Myanmar to discuss ways to invest in returning refugees and migrant workers.

Date:  Tuesday, 17 November 2015
Location:  Bangkok

Course Overview:

This event follows on from our event in Yangon in January 2015, where we invited leading companies operating in Myanmar to discuss ways to invest in returning refugees and migrant workers.

With the upcoming establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), trade and investment in Myanmar and Thailand will only grow. As both economies face labor shortages in key sectors, it is crucial that businesses tap into the potential of refugees and migrants in Thailand – a huge proportion of the Myanmar Diaspora – for dynamic and sustainable growth. There are around 110,000 Myanmar refugees and between 2-3 million Myanmar migrants currently living in Thailand, many of whom are skilled and motivated, but who have not had the opportunity to be formally trained or employed. At the same time, with ongoing political reforms and economic developments in Myanmar, businesses operating in Myanmar and across the border also need to be ready and open to receive an influx of the returning Myanmar Diaspora over the coming years, in order to fill rising capacity gaps and ensure the future progress of the country. Working effectively with refugees and migrants in both Thailand and Myanmar can only serve to strengthen economic ties between the two countries as the Myanmar peace process moves forward. Through the International Rescue Committee’s Invest to Excel project, businesses can engage with the refugee and migrant population impactfully, responsibly, and sustainably.

At the half-day event, our speakers will share their knowledge and expertise:

  • IRC will provide an overview of the current situation of refugees and migrant workers in Thailand, and the skills they possess for future opportunities
  • Representative from Microsoft will share their experience of providing training refugees and migrants for Thailand
  • Professor Dr Supang Chantavanich, Director & Professor Emeritus Asian Research Center for Migration, Chulalongkorn University, will focus his keynote speech on engaging with Myanmar migrants and refugees in the era of the upcoming establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
  • Sharing from a refugee and trainee from Sunny B Six Temporary Shelter on his work experience with IRC and aspirations for the future of young refugees
  • Richard Welford, Chairman of CSR Asia, will present the business case for companies to be engaged on this issue

This event is organized by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and CSR Asia and is free of charge.

Registration: Please write to Vicky at [email protected].

Further Contact

Registration: Please write to Vicky at [email protected].