ADAPT

Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility
Pacific Links Foundation had the special opportunity to attend the 6th Annual Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility held this year in Ho Chi Minh City on September 27-28, 2007. The annual forum is used as a medium in which local and global companies can meet and share how best to integrate social responsibility into business processes and address corporate social responsibility (CSR) challenges. PALS’ participation in the Asian Forum was two fold: (1) as booth exhibitors in the CSR Expo showcasing creative and innovative socially responsible projects and (2) as finalists in the Banyan Tree Value Challenge (BTVC) grant competition.

As booth exhibitors, PALS had the wonderful opportunity of sharing our anti-human trafficking efforts, our ADAPT program, with hundreds of conference delegates and of making meaningful connections to companies that are excited to work together to help us further ADAPT's work.

In even more exciting news, PALS participated in the BTVC grant competition that called for NGOs to submit proposals on CSR projects in Viet Nam. As a one of three finalists, PALS was invited to make a competitive presentation at the forum to a panel of judges. By the end of the day, it was announced that PALS had won the grant competition! The judges were impressed by the scope of ADAPT's work and moved by the enthusiasm and passion of ADAPT staff members. As such, the judges decided to double the original grant amount of $7,500 and award PALS $15,000!

The happy results of the BTVC grant competition was not the only thing to rejoice. The sponsors at Banyan Tree were further interested in working together with PALS in the future to expand upon ADAPT's work! Exciting potential lies ahead to develop the vocational training and job placement component of ADAPT.

Pacific Links Foundation is thrilled at the overall success of our participation in the Asian Forum and energized by all the positive feedback and support received. This truly is a testament that bridges can be made between the non-profit world and corporations when both are invested in local change to make a global impact.

Award Ceremony: Michael Kwee from Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts hands Linda Tran from PALS the prize.