2018 United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights: Full Schedule

1:30pm CET

Snapshot: Driving human rights due diligence through law - Lessons from the first year of application of the law: major challenges and recommendations for companies

Brief description of the presentation:
The French duty of vigilance law has operationalized the United Nations Guiding Principles by creating a new legal obligation for large French companies to implement a vigilance plan (risk mapping, risk management, warning systems and monitoring systems) to prevent serious violations of human rights and the environment, and to publish this plan in their annual reports. 2018 was the first year that companies published their vigilance plans. EDH has released a study on the first vigilance plans to show the first trends in the application of the French law by the companies concerned and to identify application challenges for the companies in order to accompany them in their approaches.

Presentation objectives:
This presentation aims to discuss the main results and global recommendations on the management and monitoring of the approach, including on risk identification, alert systems and public reporting.

Speakers

Françoise Guichard

President, EDH

Charlotte Michon

Executive Officer, EDH

French Business & Human Rights and duty of vigilance consultant: I support French international companies in the formalization of their global human rights approaches, and in particular in the implementation of due diligence processes as required by the French law and international... Read More →

Monday November 26, 2018 1:30pm - 1:45pm CET
Room XXIV

Human rights due diligence, Regulatory and policy developments

Session Format Snapshot

1:45pm CET

Snapshot: Managing risks at the operational level ; lessons from Vinci in Qatar

Brief description of the presentation:
The French duty of vigilance law requires parent companies to identify and manage human-rights risks. How to take into account the highly operational nature of human rights issues and provide appropriate responses on the ground? This session is a case study as to how companies and international trade unions can work together collaboratively to address human rights risks at the country level in Qatar and find solutions in cases where human risks have risen.

Presentation objectives:
This presentation aims to provide a practical example of human rights risks management at a country level: Vinci’s risk management of living and working conditions in Qatar.

Speakers

Jin Sook Lee

Global Campaign Director, Building and Wood Workers’ International

Jin Sook Lee is the Global Campaign Director of the Building and Wood Workers’ International a global union federation with a membership of 12 million in the construction and building materials, wood and forestry, allied sectors in over 140 countries. As Global Campaign Director... Read More →

Sarah Tesei

Human Rights and Social Innovation Director, Vinci

Monday November 26, 2018 1:45pm - 2:00pm CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Regulatory and policy developments | Human rights due diligence, Regulatory and policy developments

Session Format Snapshot

2:00pm CET

Snapshot: Lead and deploy the vigilance approach: a challenge for large companies; lessons from BNP and Orange

Brief description of the presentation:
The French law applies to large companies with international activities. It requires the implementation of a global risk prevention process (identification, evaluation, management and monitoring) covering different thematic areas within the company. How can we lead the process, promote cross-functionality and involve all stakeholders?

Presentation objectives:
This presentation aims to give two examples of companies for the deployment of an effective approach within large groups of companies: the example of Orange on how to work together and to build a shared vision; and the example of BNP Paribas on how to support the process through appropriate training actions.

Speakers

Emmanuelle Bru

Head of Stakeholders dialogue and Human rights issues, BNP Paribas

Yves Nissim

VP Head of transformation and operation in CSR, Orange

Yves is deputy Chief CSR Officer of the Orange Group. His main field of expertise is Group CSR transformation, CSR reporting for the Group, stake holder dialogue and Human rights. He has carried Stake holder dialogue based on Orange CSR Strategy, in the main countries of the Orange... Read More →

Monday November 26, 2018 2:00pm - 2:15pm CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Regulatory and policy developments | Human rights due diligence, Regulatory and policy developments

Session Format Snapshot

2:15pm CET

Snapshot: The French Duty of Vigilance - Lessons learned and Guidance on Vigilance Plans

Brief description of the presentation:
This presentation will rely on the reference guidance on the duty of vigilance developed by Sherpa (the "VPRG"). It will give an overview of the aspects of published Vigilance Plans that most need improvement for the second round of implementation of the law in 2019. In particular, issues of disclosure and follow-up on implementation of vigilance measures will be addressed.

Presentation objectives:
This presentation should inform civil society’s advocacy strategies around the Vigilance Law. The elements presented could also be of utmost importance for companies wanting to comply thoroughly with the law to circumvent the risk of litigation. Indeed, it should be recalled that the Law’s judicial enforcement mechanisms will be applicable from the spring 2019.

Speakers

Sandra Cossart

Executive Director, Sherpa

Sandra Cossart is an international lawyer and Sherpa’s Executive Director. After starting her career within the EU institutions, she worked as a corporate lawyer and legal consultant in Paris, Russia and England. She joined Sherpa in 2010 and was at the forefront of some important... Read More →

Monday November 26, 2018 2:15pm - 2:30pm CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Disclosure, Leadership perspectives, Regulatory and policy developments | Stakeholder engagement, Disclosure, Leadership perspectives, Regulatory and policy developments

Session Format Snapshot

2:30pm CET

Snapshot: Human rights due diligence: practices in the supply chain. Findings from a cross-sectoral study.

Short description of the presentation:
The legal landscape is developing fast, with increasing focus on a company’s control over human rights impacts of the supply chain. Many companies are only just starting to explore the complexities of such supply chain human rights due diligence.

Presentation objectives:
This session will highlight some of the key findings of a recent study by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) with Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) on existing and emerging practices for supply chain HRDD across a range of sectors. It will also consider these trends against the growing legal framework applicable to supply chain management, and what still needs to be done to achieve the supply chain HRDD envisioned by the UNGPs.

Speakers

Gabrielle Holly

Associate, Omnia Strategy LLP

Gabrielle Holly is a business and human rights specialist and an experienced commercial disputes practitioner having practiced for many years at Magic Circle firms in Australia and the UK. She is currently an Associate at Omnia Strategy LLP, where her practice focuses on business... Read More →

Lise Smit

Associate Senior Research Fellow in Business and Human Rights, British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Lise Smit conducts research on human rights due diligence and legal developments around the implementation of the UNGPs at BIICL. She was previously a litigation practitioner (barrister / advocate) at the Cape Bar in South Africa, and has worked on business and human rights issues... Read More →

Monday November 26, 2018 2:30pm - 2:45pm CET
Room XXIV

Human rights due diligence, Supply chains, Academic research

Session Format Snapshot

2:45pm CET

Snapshot: Documenting Human Rights Due Diligence- Operational-level human rights impacts assessments

Brief description of the presentation:
The UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) indicate the need for regular operational-level human rights impact assessments as part of human rights due diligence (HRDD). In order to hold each other accountable to the global minimum standard for responsible business conduct, the UNGPs, companies need to develop an expected level of information to be exchanged in business relationships, documenting that appropriate HRDD is in place. This way business partners can be mutually assured that the relationship does not expose the partners to unmanaged risks.

Presentation objectives:
This snapshot session centres on the need to be able to document HRDD. Subsequent sessions seek to illustrate what documentation of HRDD may look like in practice, and how the use of the UNGPs as the common reference point can scale up respect for human rights. How to make HRDD concrete, pragmatic, practical and effective? And how to document the work, stressing the importance of building internal capacity for implementation and maintenance of HRDD.

Speakers

Sune Skadegaard Thorsen

GLOBAL CSR, CEO and co-founder

Sune Skadegaard Thorsen is CEO/founder of GLOBAL CSR, and recognised as a leading sustainability consultant advising corporations, governments, multilateral organisations and non-governmental organisations on how to implement CR with an International Principles-Based Approach. Mr... Read More →

Monday November 26, 2018 2:45pm - 3:00pm CET
Room XXIV

Human rights due diligence, snapshot sub-type 1, snapshot sub-type 2 | International standards, snapshot sub-type 1, snapshot sub-type 2

Session Format Snapshot

3:00pm CET

Snapshot: Employer Association Relations - Need to Document Human Rights Due Diligence

Brief description of the presentation:
The session focuses on the advantages of working together; sharing results, developing tools, increasing leverage and how to cater for different sizes of companies in documenting HRDD through operational-level impact assessments.

Presentation objectives:
In this snapshot session, the Danish Restaurateur’s Guarantee Association, REGA, shares experiences on the collaboration, committing and assisting key actors within the industry to conduct and document HRDD.

Speakers

Lea Marie Juliussen

CSR consultant, Restaurateurs’ Guarantee Association, REGA

As program manager of REGA, Restaurateurs Garantee Arrangement, I consult leading companies within the hospitality industry on social, environmental and economic sustainability, using the UN and OECD guidelines for responsible business conduct to create a solid foundation for tomorrow's... Read More →

Monday November 26, 2018 3:00pm - 3:15pm CET
Room XXIV

Human rights due diligence Sectoral perspectives

Session Format Snapshot

3:15pm CET

Snapshot: Employer Association Collaboration - Documenting Human Rights Due Diligence

Brief description of the presentation:
In this session, Sticks’n’Sushi, part of the REGA initiative, shares experiences conducting its first operational impact assessment as part of documenting HuRi through collaboration with other restaurants; and the potential for addressing systemic challenges for the industry in collaboration with peers.

Presentation objectives:
CEO Kim Rahbek presents on the influence the initiative has and the benefits it brings Sticks’n’Sushi.

Speakers

Kim Rahbek Hansen

Founder & Restaurateur, Sticks’n’Sushi

Founder of Sticks'n'Sushi, present in Copenhagen, London and Berlin, focusing on conducting a sustainable business. Also spokesperson for REGA, Restaurateurs' Guarantee Association; the hospitality industry’s guarantee for responsible business conduct. The first of its kind. The... Read More →

Monday November 26, 2018 3:15pm - 3:30pm CET
Room XXIV

Business action Sectoral perspectives Human rights due diligence

Session Format Snapshot

3:30pm CET

Snapshot: Investor Relations - Need to Document Human Rights Due Diligence

Brief description of the presentation:
This session both introduces the screening tool Polaris uses when assessing the degree of alignment with the UNGPs of potential investments and the process from engaging in partnership with the portfolio company to aligning with the UNGPs.

Presentation objectives:
In this snapshot session, Polaris presents the UNGPs application in investment.

Speakers

Henrik Bonnerup

Partner and CFO, Polaris Management A/S

Monday November 26, 2018 3:30pm - 3:45pm CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Investors | Human rights due diligence, Investors

Session Format Snapshot

3:45pm CET

Snapshot: Investor Relations - ICT Company Documenting Human Rights Due Diligence

Brief description of the presentation:
This snapshot session presents experiences with starting operational-level impact assessments at the headquarters of an ICT company.

Presentation objectives:
Configit shares examples of good practice documentation and the process of implementation of the UNGPs after entering into a partnership with Polaris.

Monday November 26, 2018 3:45pm - 4:00pm CET
Room XXIV

Business action, ICT | Human rights due diligence, ICT

Session Format Snapshot

4:00pm CET

Snapshot: B2B Relations - Need to Document Human Rights Due Diligence

Brief description of the presentation:
In this session Schur International by referencing its work with the subsidiary Schur Packaging Denmark discusses how documented operational-level impact assessments are used when engaging with key suppliers, Stora Enso, but also downstream partners.

Presentation objectives:
The session also focuses on sharing experiences from creating a corporate culture around the commitment and engaging subsidiaries.

Speakers

Linda Jakobsen

Senior CSR Consultant, Schur International

Monday November 26, 2018 4:00pm - 4:15pm CET
Room XXIV

Human rights due diligence, Supply chains | Business action, Supply chains

Session Format Snapshot

4:15pm CET

Snapshot: B2B Relations – Mutual Documentation of Human Rights Due Diligence

Brief description of the presentation:
In this snapshot session Stora Enso, an important supplier to Schur Packaging Denmark, presents on their work with HRDD and the need to be able to rely on business partners to respect human rights; and the reactions to the approach from Schur Packaging Denmark.

Presentation objectives:
This session focuses on what is sufficient in order to meet supplier and customer demands, and the potential of documented operational-level impact assessments to become standard to answer B2B expectations.

Speakers

Tiina Pursula

Director, Sustainability, Stora Enso

Monday November 26, 2018 4:15pm - 4:30pm CET
Room XXIV

Human rights due diligence, Supply chains | Business action, Supply chains

Session Format Snapshot

8:15am CET

Snapshot: Exiting responsibly - Respect for human rights in circumstances of urgent exit

Brief description of the session:
Human rights due diligence is an ongoing process that requires companies to maintain a “true picture” of its human rights risks over time. In particular, commentary to UN GP 18 notes that human rights impact assessments should be undertaken at regular intervals and specifically prior to “major decisions or changes in the operation”. While not explicitly mentioned in the commentary, one of the major decision a business can take is that of leaving a market and reducing or winding up operations. While this decision can be taken for purely commercial reasons, it can also be conditioned by changing political, economic or physical circumstances such as the eruption or intensification of war, the occurrence of natural disasters, the instatement of economic sanctions or even health crises. These events might impact the capacity of the company to identify, avoid and manage human rights risks and present renewed challenges for the company to fulfil its responsibility to respect human rights. How can companies wind down or exit operations responsibly under such circumstances?

Session objectives:
While the business and human rights debate has been focused on key corporate decisions such as market entry, new investments or the launching of new products or services, less attention has been given to questions of sales and market exit – especially in circumstances of urgent exit. The purpose of the snapshot session will be to raise awareness of this issue and spur interest in exploring the implications of the UNGPs.

Speakers

Andrea Saldarriaga

Visiting Fellow (LSE) and director SILA Advisory, London School of Economics and Political Science and SILA Advisory

Andrea Saldarriaga is an international lawyer and expert on business and human rights with broad experience working with companies, industry groups and international organisations to ensure respect for human rights in the context of business activities. Andrea is the founder and principal... Read More →

Tuesday November 27, 2018 8:15am - 8:30am CET
Room XXIV

Human rights due diligence, Academic research, Conflict | Business action, Academic research, Conflict

Session Format Snapshot

8:30am CET

Snapshot: New insights. Projects from BHR Young researchers (I)

Brief description of the presentation:
This snapshot sessions will be based on a forthcoming report compiled by four participants of our 2018 BHR Young Researchers Summit, titled Good Business: The Economic Case for Promoting Human Rights. The objective of this report is to offer a more nuanced, evidence-based assessment of the ‘business case’ for human rights. More specifically, the session engages with two clusters of arguments: The first cluster looks at the costs and benefits associated with embracing or ignoring human rights in the workplace and in community relations. It provides insight, for example, in the relation between employee loyalty and human rights respect, or the cost of conflict resolution measures in case of worsening community relations. The second cluster demonstrates how governments are increasingly using economic leverage as a tool to promote corporate respect for human rights. The utilization of human rights standards in public procurement contracts or in the provision of export credits will be among the examples of how countries implementing the UNGPs have started to create economic incentives for businesses to respect human rights.

Presentation objectives:
The session will present the arguments underscoring the growing evidence that respecting human rights is not only a moral imperative for business, but is increasingly turning into an economic necessity.

Speakers

Basak Baglayan

NCP, Ministry of the Economy (Lu)

Marisa McVey

PhD Candidate, University of St. Andrews

I'm a second year PhD Researcher at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. My research focuses on the UNGPs, corporate accountability and communities.

Tuesday November 27, 2018 8:30am - 8:45am CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Academic research, State as an economic actor

Session Format Snapshot

8:45am CET

Snapshot: New insights. Projects from BHR Young researchers (II)

Brief description of the presentation:
This snapshot sessions will be based on a forthcoming report compiled by four participants of our 2018 BHR Young Researchers Summit, titled Good Business: The Economic Case for Promoting Human Rights. The objective of this report is to offer a more nuanced, evidence-based assessment of the ‘business case’ for human rights. More specifically, the session engages with two clusters of arguments: The first cluster analyzes the costs and benefits associated with corporate abuse-related lawsuits, such as information-disclosure cost or reputational damage and it shows the effects of lawsuits on the share price of companies. The second cluster assesses the complex role of consumers and investors in driving responsible business behaviour as well as of new legislation that increases not least the demands of businesses towards each other.

Presentation objectives:
The session will discuss the arguments underscoring the growing evidence that respecting human rights is not only a moral imperative for business, but is increasingly turning into an economic necessity.

Speakers

Ingrid Landau

Lecturer in the Department of Business Law and Taxation, Monash Business School

Dr Ingrid Landau is a Lecturer in the Department of Business Law and Taxation at Monash Business School. Ingrid teaches Employment Law, and Human Rights and Global Business. She researches in the areas of Australian employment law, and comparative and transnational labour regulation... Read More →

Kebene Wodajo

PhD Candidate, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Tuesday November 27, 2018 8:45am - 9:00am CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Academic research, Investors

Session Format Snapshot

9:00am CET

Snapshot: New insights? Labour governance in the garment industry

Brief description of the presentation:
We provide insights from the Garment Supply Chain Governance Project (www.garmentgov.de), a global coalition of academic researchers, researching the evolution of labour governance in garment value chains since the shocking collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh. We present findings based on original survey and interview data from Bangladeshi workers, factory managers and global garment brands and retailers. Our worker survey provides a unique insight into workers’ perceptions of the changes brought by the Accord and Alliance in Bangladesh. We report on improvements perceived by workers, as well as areas where they note little change. Factory managers describe a transformation of safety culture, but also serious concerns regarding the implications of the Accord and Alliance. Finally, we outline the key trends and challenges in the labour governance practices of global brands and retailers identified by our research.

Presentation objectives:
To report on the impact of post-Rana Plaza changes on Bangladeshi garment workers, factories and global brands.

Speakers

Rachel Alexander

Research Officer, London School of Economics and Political Science

Sarah Ashwin

Professor of Comparative Employment Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science

I am a Professor of Employment Relations in the Department of Management at the London School of Economics. My research interests are in Corporate Social Responsibility and International Labour Standards; employment relations; gender, employment and households, as well as employment... Read More →

Tuesday November 27, 2018 9:00am - 9:15am CET
Room XXIV

Sectoral perspectives, Supply chains, Academic research | Stakeholder engagement, Supply chains, Academic research

Session Format Snapshot

9:15am CET

Snapshot: New insights After Rana-Plaza: Business, Labor, and Global Supply Chains in Bangladesh

Watch live https://unog.webex.com/unog/j.php?MTID=m348204de54827ff86dddc81016b390ac
Brief description of the presentation:
April 24, 2013 will be known as the day of the deadliest garment factory accident in history. More than 1,100 people died when an eight story building in Bangladesh, Rana Plaza, collapsed. This tragedy was significant because the horrific and preventable nature of the disaster made global stakeholders realize that it could no longer be “business as usual” for the garment industry. In the aftermath, Western companies invested in two organizations designed to strictly monitor and inspect a portion of Bangladesh’s registered factories.

Presentation objectives :
This presentation will critique the strategies employed over the last five years by Western retailers focused on monitoring and compliance, while neglecting issues around the entire global supply chain, as well as propose solutions to further improve the sector and to prevent horrific tragedies like Rana Plaza from occurring in the future.

Speakers

Sanchita Banerjee Saxena

Executive Director, Institute for South Asia Studies; Director, Subir and Malini Chowdhury Center for Bangladesh Studies, University of California, Berkeley

Dr. Sanchita Banerjee Saxena is the Executive Director of the Institute for South Asia Studies (Institute) at UC Berkeley and the Director of the Subir and Malini Chowdhury Center for Bangladesh Studies under the Institute. She is the author of Made in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Sri... Read More →

Tuesday November 27, 2018 9:15am - 9:30am CET
Room XXIV

Sectoral perspectives, Supply chains, Academic research

Session Format Snapshot

9:30am CET

Snapshot: Human Rights Due Diligence in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

Brief description of the presentation:
The right to health, and the underlying access to medicine, is one of the obvious salient human rights in the pharmaceutical sector. However, pharmaceutical companies recognize that there are other salient human rights issues that need to be addressed when considering right-holders across the entire value chain, in their own operations and throughout their supply chains.

Presentation objectives:
This session will provide some insights into the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI) and how the member companies are collaborating to define, implement and champion responsible supply chain practices, including the respect for human rights.

Speakers

Connie Low

Head Third Party Labor Rights, Novartis

Tuesday November 27, 2018 9:30am - 9:45am CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Supply chains | Sectoral perspectives, Supply chains | Human rights due diligence, Supply chains

Session Format Snapshot

9:45am CET

Snapshot: Samsung - Human rights due diligence across the supply chain – Experiences from practice

Brief description of the presentation:
This snapshot presentation will discuss key elements of Samsung Electronics’ continuous journey on human rights due diligence, including practical experiences in aligning its business activities with the UN Guiding Principles.

Presentation objectives:
Samsung Electronics will share selected cases of the implementation of its commitment with regards to human rights due diligence, with examples from our global operations.

Speakers

Linda Kromjong

Global Labor & Human Rights Director, Samsung Electronics

Ruwan Subasinghe is the Legal Director of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). He specialises in labour, human rights and international law. Ruwan represents the ITF at external bodies including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Organization for... Read More →

Caleb Lee

VP Corporate Affairs Europe, Samsung Electronics

Tuesday November 27, 2018 9:45am - 10:00am CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Supply chains, Technology | Human rights due diligence, Supply chains, Technology | Sectoral perspectives, Supply chains, Technology

Session Format Snapshot

10:00am CET

Snapshot: Human rights due diligence across the supply chain – Experiences from practice

Description of the presentation:
The second pillar of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights requires businesses to conduct human rights due diligence not only within its business activity but also for those with whom the business may be directly linked. To name a few, these are the contractors, transporters, and those within the supply chain and value chain.

Presentation objectives:
The presentation will cover the challenges faced in conducting human rights due diligence in the supply chain. Aditya Birla has initiated work towards human rights due diligence in the supply chain. Some practices followed to overcome the challenges will be presented.

Speakers

Vidya Tikoo

Senior Vice President, Aditya Birla Managemnet Corporation Pvt Ltd

Developed the Sustainable Business Framework for the Aditya Birla Group that aligns to IFC, OECD, OSHA, UNGC, UNGPs, UNPRI and many other international standards. A vital role to guide the Group businesses to implement the standards. This includes building the business management... Read More →

Tuesday November 27, 2018 10:00am - 10:15am CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Supply chains | Human rights due diligence, Supply chains

Session Format Snapshot

10:15am CET

Snapshot: How can business association promote human rights due diligence. Experiences from Japan

Brief description of the presentation :
The presentation will introduce how Keidanren, one of the main business organizations in Japan, plays an active role in leading Japanese corporations to respect human rights as well as to promote human rights due diligence (HRDD) in accordance with the UN Guiding Principle on Business and Human Rights.

Presentation objectives:
To explain Keidanren's Charter of Corporate Behavior and the concept of "Society 5.0 for SDGs".
The presentation will also share some data on how Japanese companies respect human rights and promote HRDD in their business.

Speakers

Tomoko Hasegawa

Director, SDGs Promotion Bureau, Keidanren (Japan Business Federation)

Tuesday November 27, 2018 10:15am - 10:30am CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Human rights due diligence, SDGs | Human rights due diligence, Human rights due diligence, SDGs

Session Format Snapshot

10:30am CET

Snapshot: Human rights due diligence - Challenges and business pathways (case of the project operator)

Brief presentation of the presentation:
Sakhalin Energy will present the main challenges that a large project operator encounters when introducing and implementing human rights standards across supply chain partners, as well as the practical tools from the company’s experience allowing to address these challenges.

Presentation objectives:
The session will focus on thorough bidding process, human rights inclusive contract management, trainings/awareness raising for internal/external stakeholders, tools of contractors’ monitoring and audits.

Speakers

Valentin Zhovtun

Social Performance Specialist, Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd.

Tuesday November 27, 2018 10:30am - 10:45am CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Human rights due diligence, Supply chains | Human rights due diligence, Human rights due diligence, Supply chains | Sectoral perspectives, Human rights due diligence, Supply chains | Stakeholder engagement, Human rights due diligence, Supply chains

Session Format Snapshot

10:45am CET

Snapshot: Strengthening human rights due diligence with in-depth assessment and radical transparency

Brief description of the presentation:
S Group is a Finnish consumer owned cooperative group operating in the supermarket, department store and hardware trade, service station store and fuel sales and the travel industry and hospitality business. Expectations on human rights due diligence of businesses are growing, while implementing supply chain due diligence practices can be very challenging in practice. S Group has explored existing practices and identified innovative tools and methods for practical implementation of human rights due diligence.

Presentation objectives:
In this snapshot presentation, S Group will share its experience and showcase concept for in-depth human rights impact assessment. The human rights impact assessment concept was developed to strengthen supply chain due diligence and to gain information of the root causes of the human rights issues.

Speakers

Lea Rankinen

SVP Sustainability, SOK Corporation

Tuesday November 27, 2018 10:45am - 11:00am CET
Room XXIV

Human rights due diligence, Supply chains, innovations | Business action, Supply chains, innovations

Session Format Snapshot

11:00am CET

Snapshot: Human rights due diligence in a large supply chain

Brief description of the presentation:
UPM is committed to sustainable forest management and monitors the origin of wood to ensure it is sustainably and legally sourced. The presentation will describe human rights due diligence process in large supply base covering several sourcing categories, involving more than 25000 suppliers. It will also bring practical examples of risk assessment within chemicals sourcing.

Presentation objectives:
The presentation will describe UPM's approach in managing human rights risk in supply chain. It will introduce a practical case on chemicals sourcing and elaborate on opportunities for further development.

Speakers

Nina Norjama

Director, Social Responsibility, UPM

Tuesday November 27, 2018 11:00am - 11:15am CET
Room XXIV

Sectoral perspectives, Supply chains | Human rights due diligence, Supply chains | Business action, Supply chains

Session Format Snapshot

11:15am CET

Snapshot: Human rights due diligence - Building on what works in a global supply chain. An overview of risk assessment

Brief description of the presentation:
Outotec develops leading technologies and services for the sustainable use of Earth’s natural resources in the mining, metal, energy, and chemical industries. The presentation will provide an overview of how to manage the human rights risks in a global supply chain, focusing on the practices and challenges of a globally operating technology company.

Presentation objectives:
The objective of the presentation is to describe the current practical ways of assessing supply chain risks and related approach adopted at Outotec. This includes finding the key assessment areas and managing the classification, assessment and audit process, and the related challenges.

Speakers

Tea Maasalo

Director, Corporate Legal and Corporate Responsibility, Outotec

Tuesday November 27, 2018 11:15am - 11:30am CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Human rights due diligence, Supply chains | Human rights due diligence, Human rights due diligence, Supply chains | Sectoral perspectives, Human rights due diligence, Supply chains

Session Format Snapshot

11:30am CET

Snapshot: Human rights due diligence across supply chain starts with due diligence with internal stakeholder groups

Brief description of the presentation:
Neste is an important producer of renewable diesel and a refiner of high-quality oil products that enable customers to reduce their climate emissions. Neste’s approach on human rights due diligence is centered on activities to assess and identify the potential impacts on human rights of our various internal functions and business areas, including those that concerns sourcing. This is followed by actions to increase the preparedness of internal management systems to mitigate human rights risks.

Presentation objectives:
The presentation will shade light on the current activities aimed at, amongst others, improving Neste’s sourcing practices on due diligence that is strengthened with human rights criteria, coupled with capacity building and supplier engagements.

Speakers

Yan Peng Ng

Senior Manager, Human Rights, Neste Corporation, Finland

I am interested in everything related to human rights, CSR and sustainable development.

Tuesday November 27, 2018 11:30am - 11:45am CET
Room XXIV

Sectoral perspectives, Renewable energy, Supply chains | Business action, Renewable energy, Supply chains | Human rights due diligence, Renewable energy, Supply chains

Session Format Snapshot

11:45am CET

Snapshot: Konica Minolta - What motivates this global technology company’s commitment to human rights and what outcomes have been achieved – experiences from practice

Brief description of the presentation:
Konica Minolta Australia will present its experiences in implementing an extensive range of community engagement programs and championing a broad range of social justice issues, including advocating for an Australian Modern Slavery Act which would compel Australian companies above a specified revenue threshold to report annually to government on their initiatives to ensure their supply chains are free from modern slavery and other forms of human rights abuse. Among aspects covered, the presentation will share insights from building capability to manage human rights risks in the supply chain ahead of being compelled to by legislation. The presentation will feature experiences and the unintended positive outcomes around growth in staff engagement and enhanced commercial outcomes.

Presentation objectives:
Sharing experiences and the unintended positive outcomes around growth in staff engagement and enhanced commercial outcomes.

Speakers

David Cooke

Chair & Managing Director, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia

As well as managing Konica Minolta (a global Japanese tech company) in Australia I am also a non-executive director of the UN Global Compact Network in Australia and of Sustainalytics (a global ESG research & analysis firm). My human rights work has been focused on ending human trafficking... Read More →

Tuesday November 27, 2018 11:45am - 12:00pm CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Supply chains, Modern slavery | Human rights due diligence, Supply chains, Modern slavery | Stakeholder engagement, Supply chains, Modern slavery

Session Format Snapshot

12:00pm CET

Snapshot: Human rights-based sustainable fisheries: an experience from the Thai Tuna Industry

Brief description of the presentation:
The session will highlight the efforts made by the Thai Tuna Industry Association (TTIA) to turn the industry towards a human rights-based sustainable business within a short period of time.

Presentation objectives:
The presentation will share insights from TTIA efforts of applying requirements for member companies to comply with TTIA policies, covering aspects related to food safety, sustainability and ethical labour practice. It will also address lessons from applying stakeholder engagement and third party audits approaches aimed at creating a sustainable fisheries sector in Thailand. The goal is highlight lessons learned that can be replicated and inspire others in the region and beyond.

Speakers

Chanintr Chalisarapong

President of Thai Tuna Industry Association (TTIA) and Chairman of Thai Tuna Processors Group of TFPA, Thai Tuna Industry Association (TTIA)

Thai Tuna Industry Association our policy is to promote "Growing Sustainably" through Food Safely, Sustainability and Ethical Standard.

Tuesday November 27, 2018 12:00pm - 12:15pm CET
Room XXIV

Human rights due diligence, Regulatory and policy developments | Sectoral perspectives, Regulatory and policy developments

Session Format Snapshot

12:15pm CET

Snapshot: From commitment to action - Advancing decent work in global supply chains with SAP Ariba

Brief description of the presentation:
To advance the Sustainable Development Goals — adhering to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, the ILO Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and taking into account their interlinkages and reinforcing effects — companies participating in the UN Global Compact Action Platform on Decent Work in Global Supply Chains are committing to 6 actions based on communication, transparency, engagement, leadership, collaboration, and accountability. As patron sponsor of the Action Platform, SAP Ariba will share its approach towards advancing these commitments. James Marland, SPA Ariba’s VP of Network Growth, will discuss how the company is taking innovative action to promote universal respect for human rights through its supply chain.

Presentation objectives:
The presentation will highlight how innovative tools and technological solutions can contribute to more effective human rights due diligence across supply chains. It will share cross-cutting solutions to accelerate efforts in realizing the rights of workers, their families and their communities, and it will showcase the value of peer learning, collaboration and multi-stakeholder partnerships through the UN Global Compact Action Platform.

Speakers

Lise Kingo

CEO and Executive Director, UN Global Compact

Lise Kingo is the CEO and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact, which is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative with more than 13,500 signatories from 170 countries that have committed to aligning strategies and operations with universal principles... Read More →

James Marland

VP, Network Growth at SAP Ariba

Storyteller. Educating companies of all sizes the benefits of Going Digital with Business Networks. James is uniquely positioned to drive the connection of the world's companies together with the SAP Business Network. For too long companies have focused on their internal processes... Read More →

Tuesday November 27, 2018 12:15pm - 12:30pm CET
Room XXIV

Human rights due diligence, innovations, Supply chains, Communities and workers’ stories | Stakeholder engagement, innovations, Supply chains, Communities and workers’ stories

Session Format Snapshot

12:30pm CET

Snapshot: How investing in basic sanitation can help guarantee women’s rights: a case study from Brazil

Short description of the presentation:
The problems surrounding the lack of sanitation and the notorious consequences of such inadequacies for women’s rights correlate directly to inadequate investment in universalizing these services. Building water and sewage systems in cities that currently lack sanitation services significantly advances human rights, especially for women. This is what happened to the women of Uruguaiana, a city in Brazil’s southernmost state. The presentation will focus on how investments in sanitation over the last eight years, have been made in a human rights compliant manner, including through mapping and analyzing social vulnerabilities before disbursing, and impact analysis to ensure residents have benefited from the investments made. The presentation will also explain how the active multi-stakeholders engagement made this turnaround possible.

Presentation objectives:
Using the study entitled “Sanitation and the Lives of Brazilian Women” and presenting the case of “Uruguaiana” to showcase how investment in sanitation services significantly advances human rights, especially for women. It will also show how engagement efforts and environmental education contributes to viewing sanitation services as a basic right to which all peoples are fully entitled.

Speakers

Teresa Vernaglia

CEO, BRK Ambiental

For more than 25 years, Teresa Vernaglia has held leadership positions in multinational companies, in the area of telecommunication and energy infrastructure, acquiring experience in the segment during its universalization process.In May 2017, she became CEO of BRK Ambiental, the... Read More →

Tuesday November 27, 2018 12:30pm - 12:45pm CET
Room XXIV

Groups at risk, Stakeholder engagement, Investors, Gender lens, Human rights due diligence

Session Format Snapshot

12:45pm CET

Snapshot: #Metoo and She too– Addressing sexual abuse and other gender-specific violations

Brief description of the presentation:
Most human rights instruments appear gender neutral, but will often affect men and women differently due to the substantial differences in the lives of men and women. One of the most salient gender-specific human rights for all women impacted by business activities are sexual abuse and harassment. The #Metoo campaign has exposed the massive extent of such violations in many industries in the global north. There is little reason to believe that this is any different in the global south. It is most likely the opposite in many of the countries where women´s basic human rights have weak support and protection. #Metoo has exposed the need for whistle blowing safe reporting systems, and for women to organize and speak to identify, prevent and remediate abuse and finally change the game.

Presentation objectives:
In the snapshot we will discuss how lessons learned from #Metoo can speed up the efforts to effectively integrate gender in the UNGPs.

Speakers

Sylvi Bratten

Head of Analysis, Development and Communications, FOKUS – Forum for women and development

Gunhild Ørstavik

Advisor, FOKUS Forum for Women and Development

Tuesday November 27, 2018 12:45pm - 1:00pm CET
Room XXIV

Groups at risk, Gender lens

Session Format Snapshot

1:00pm CET

Snapshot: Gender, corporate due diligence, access to justice and indigenous women human rights defenders – Case study from Asia

Brief description of the presentation:
Indigenous women are most closely associated with the habitat in which they live as their economic, social and cultural way of nurturing their families and communities is dependent on their access to land, forests and other natural resources. When business interests enter the dynamics of resource utilization they bring drastic changes to women’s lives. The legal and customary safeguards, which traditionally ensure that women are not disenfranchised from decision-making and consultative processes or accountability mechanisms, are negatively impacted when corporate stakes violate the rights of indigenous women, especially in sectors like mining. The speakers will represent the Asia Regional Alliance on Women and Mining and will refer to human rights violations of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) by the state and business-related human rights abuse due to irresponsible mineral extraction and processing in the region. The presentation will also focus on state and corporate due diligence requirements and related commitments with respect to transparency, accountability, monitoring and safeguards mechanisms for the protection of WHRDs.

Presentation objectives:
The snapshot presenters will make concise recommendations based on wide engagement with indigenous women and affected women workers and communities, and will present due diligence best practices that uphold human rights standards and promote sustainable development.

Speakers

Bhanumathi Kalluri

Director, Dhaatri Trust

Cheryl P. Polutan

Program Coordinator, LILAK Purple Action for Indigenous Women's Rights

Tuesday November 27, 2018 1:00pm - 1:15pm CET
Room XXIV

Groups at risk, Asia, Human rights defenders, Indigenous peoples, Gender lens, Human rights due diligence

Session Format Snapshot

3:00pm CET

Snapshot: New insights? The impacts of the UN Guiding Principles and the OECD Guidelines

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
The first part of the presentation will zoom in on the effectiveness of the National Contact Points (NCPs) dispute resolution mechanism at the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. It will discuss two NCP cases on labour conditions: the Heineken Bralima case, in which the Dutch NCP has facilitated a favorable mediated settlement for the workers, which included compensation for damages; and the less successful case of Daewoo in Korea, which has not resulted in a beneficial solution for the workers.
The second part will illustrate current monitoring mechanisms to assess compliance with the OECD Guidelines (and UNGPs) such as certification and third party monitoring. It will also discuss positive and negative implications of IT-developments, the use of blockchain and of artificial intelligence on transparency, traceability and effective monitoring.

Presentation objectives:
To present the factors contributing to success building on NCP cases, and to introduce a three-year program by the Worldbank, Pels Rijcken (a Dutch law firm) and Leopard Ledger (a blockchain/AI developer) aimed to develop a proof of concept of an IT-application in the palm oil sector.

Speakers

Raymond Saner

Director CSEND in Geneva and Co-chair of the academic network of the OECD RBC Guidelines, Professor, Basel University and Science Po in Paris

I'm a student of the LLM Program Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. I'm looking for the internship or entry-level position.

Martijn Scheltema

Professor, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus School of Law

I am also partner at Pels Rijcken (The Hague based law firm). People may talk to me about innovative legal aspects of business human rights, such as enhanced contractual mechanisms, blockchain and artificial intelligence, arbitration and human rights, the (zero draft) of the proposed... Read More →

Tuesday November 27, 2018 3:00pm - 3:15pm CET
Room XXIV

International standards, ICT, Non-judicial grievance mechanisms

Session Format Snapshot

3:15pm CET

Snapshot: The use of the Universal Period Review (UPR) mechanism as a tool to prevent Business related human rights abuses

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
When issues of resettlement or recognition of land rights are not properly managed in the context large scale infrastructure or extractives projects, this may trigger violence and abuses of individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples.
The UPR provides an international mechanism for indigenous organizations and civil society organizations to raise awareness of such impacts. They have been using UPR as a tool to raise concerns with third countries on the impact of human rights abuses caused by investments and trade, and to influence policy makers in order to improve regulatory and monitoring frameworks (with civil society participation).

Presentation objectives:
The presentation will showcase of how UPR can positively contribute to the development of national plans on business and human rights possibly leading to concrete policy and legal developments to prevent future human rights abuses. The presenters will also discuss what avenues may be taken in order to balance the legitimate right of the State to promote investment projects of national interest with the conservation of ecosystems and the respect of human rights of indigenous peoples. This includes their right to participate in the whole investment project cycle, in line with the requirement set out in the UN Guiding Principles and other international human rights instruments.

Speakers

Adolfo López

Human Rights Defender, COICA (Coordinadora de las Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica)

Tuesday November 27, 2018 3:15pm - 3:30pm CET
Room XXIV

Groups at risk, Human rights defenders, Indigenous peoples, Communities and workers’ stories | Stakeholder engagement, Human rights defenders, Indigenous peoples, Communities and workers’ stories

Session Format Snapshot

3:30pm CET

Snapshot: New insights? When causation, contribution, and direct link overlap: UNGP implementation in “complex complicity” scenarios

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
Determining whether companies cause, contribute, or are directly linked to rights violations is key to identifying their duties, as well as to shaping their response to potential or actual human rights impact. Nevertheless, this task can be challenging in scenarios where multiple sources of impact overlap, interact, and transform one another. Such is the case of the Suape Industrial Portuary Complex (Brazil): it concentrates over one hundred companies in a region inhabited by traditional communities, who report serious human rights violations stemming from the Complex’s expansion.

Presentation objectives:
The presentation will draw on the Suape case to discuss the many facets of complicity with human rights violations in complex environments.

Speakers

Joana Nabuco

Officer of Development and Socio-Environmental Rights Program, Conectas Human Rights

Tuesday November 27, 2018 3:30pm - 3:45pm CET
Room XXIV

Groups at risk, Policy coherence | Human rights due diligence, Policy coherence

Session Format Snapshot

3:45pm CET

Snapshot: Corporate responsibility to respect human rights in situations of occupation

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
Areas affected by armed conflict or under occupation pose unique challenges for companies operating or wishing to operate there. In addition to international human rights law, companies must consider and respect the rules of international humanitarian law. The UN Guiding Principles make this clear by stating that companies have a responsibility to respect standards of international humanitarian law in situations of armed conflict. This includes standards designed to safeguard people living in occupied territory (the protected people under the law of occupation). In situations of armed conflict and occupation, the risks of gross human rights abuses is heightened, and companies must be particularly careful not to exacerbate these risks. They must also be alert to the risk of contributing to or benefitting from illegal acts, such as the unlawful appropriation of land and natural resources of the occupied territory.

Presentation objectives:
The purpose of Amnesty’s snapshot presentation will be to discuss the implications of the corporate responsibility to respect human rights in situations of occupation. Examples will be used to illustrate the challenges and impact on people’s lives. Innovative ways for States and the UN to ensure both act in line with their respective international law duties and responsibilities in these situations will also be discussed.

Speakers

Gabriela Quijano

Legal Adviser, Business and Human Rights, Amnesty International - International Secretariat

Tuesday November 27, 2018 3:45pm - 4:00pm CET
Room XXIV

International standards, Conflict | Groups at risk, Conflict

Session Format Snapshot

4:00pm CET

Snapshot: Building Trust between Human Rights Defenders and Financial Actors

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
Civil society organizations (CSO) working to defend communities in the face of corporate human rights harms are fast becoming attuned to the role that institutional investors and corporate lenders play in incentivizing good corporate conduct. At the same time, we are witnessing a sea change in the way in which investors consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk. After years of debate over whether ESG investment pays, increasingly institutional investors are concluding that it does. These developments mark a critical moment in the effort to improve corporate human rights conduct. The next step is to strengthen communications and collaboration between civil society organizations and financial actors so that financial risks can be accurately identified and addressed.

Presentation objectives:
This snapshot will present the case for a CSO-Investor Dialogue Table, scheduled to start in early 2019. The purpose of the Dialogue Table is to build trust between financial professionals and human rights advocates in order to produce effective collaboration on human rights. For CSOs, the Dialogue Table is an opportunity to present the perspective of the victims of human rights violations and explain what they believe financial professionals need to do in order to prevent, mitigate and remediate those violations. For investors, it will be an opportunity to demystify civil society concerns in a safe setting, jointly develop solutions and to take appropriate measures to prevent human rights risks

Speakers

Joanne Bauer

Co-Founder, Rights CoLab

I cofounded Rights CoLab two years ago to innovate human rights strategies in a time of closing civic space that bridge the fields of business, finance, technology, and civil society. I lead projects on integrating human rights into capital markets and on human rights-compatible models... Read More →

Tuesday November 27, 2018 4:00pm - 4:15pm CET
Room XXIV

Stakeholder engagement, Investors, Human rights defenders

Session Format Snapshot

4:15pm CET

Snapshot: NHRIs and Business: Working Together to Advance Human Rights

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI) promote, protect and advance human rights for every person in every aspect of their lives. We hold Governments to account for their human rights obligations, and help to embed human rights principles into the foundations of services, organisations and institutions to create a society where no one is left behind.

Presentation objectives:
Discussing the potential for better partnerships between businesses and NHRIs in order to implement rights based approaches that create change and drive inclusion of marginalised groups, including the LGBTI community.

Speakers

David Isaac

Chair Equality and Human Rights Commission, Chair of Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, The Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions

Tuesday November 27, 2018 4:15pm - 4:30pm CET
Room XXIV

Stakeholder engagement, LGTBI, NHRIs | Groups at risk, LGTBI, NHRIs

Session Format Snapshot

4:30pm CET

Snapshot: Children’s Rights and Business Atlas: Harnessing the power of data in risk and impact assessments.

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
Business impacts children everywhere. Children interact daily with the private sector – as family members of workers, employees, consumers, and community members affected by operations and supply chains. The Children’s Rights and Business Atlas is an online tool that uses a wide range of data analysis and manipulation to help transform this interaction and help businesses, investors and industry organizations understand how their actions impact children’s rights globally.

Presentation objectives:
To discuss how the Children’s Rights and Business Atlas provides a quantitative assessment of children’s rights across 195 countries and territories to offer a comprehensive understanding of how actions impact children’s rights, and the degree to which children’s rights are respected, across the globe in the Workplace, at the Marketplace, and within the Community and Environment. The Atlas harnesses the power of data to bring pragmatic and user-friendly insight into the complex narrative of children’s’ rights, helping provide risk and impact assessment. The Atlas is designed to help business, government and industry stakeholders better understand their impact on children through the use of publicly available country data, industry analysis and practical guidance.

Speakers

Martin Hallberg

Children’s rights and business atlas manager, Global Child Forum

Sustainability and development professional driven by all things that make us human, such as connection, laughter, movement and learning for example. As the Global Child Forum’s Children’s Rights and Business Atlas Manager, I work with businesses and strategic partners in order... Read More →

Beth Verhey

Senior Advisor, Children’s Rights and Business, UNICEF

I am Senior Advisor on Children's Rights and Business with UNICEF.Talk to me about Integrating children's and human rights in business due diligence.And our new global data platform for business risk and impact analysis - https://www.childrensrightsatlas.org/country-data/workplac... Read More →

Tuesday November 27, 2018 4:30pm - 4:45pm CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Children, Technology, Supply chains | Groups at risk, Children, Technology, Supply chains

Session Format Snapshot

4:45pm CET

Snapshot: Economic evidence for civic rights protection

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Description of the presentation:
This “snapshot” presentation will outline the economic argument for why business should be concerned about the global crackdown on civic rights and civil society. In October, The B Team released The Business Case for Protecting Civic Rights, to examine the economic impact of respect for civic rights and civic space. The Business Case for Protecting Civic Rights utilises data from the Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem) to augment the business case for action and explore how a better business environment is linked to greater civic rights and freedoms.

Presentation objectives:
We plan to speak alongside a company representative that can explain why the protection of civic rights is important to their business operations and their commitment to the UN Guiding Principles

Speakers

Annabel Lee Hogg

Cause Strategist, Governance and Human Rights, The B Team

Dibanhi Andrade tiene 21 años y es estudiante de la Licenciatura en Derecho y Función Pública. Actualmente es la Representante del Comisionado de Formación Integral en la FEUDEM. Durante su estancia en la UDEM ha formado parte de diversos grupos estudiantiles dentro del Centro... Read More →

Michael Karimian

Senior Manager, Human Rights, Microsoft

Tuesday November 27, 2018 4:45pm - 5:00pm CET
Room XXIV

Business action, Human rights defenders, Stakeholder engagement | Groups at risk, Human rights defenders, Stakeholder engagement

Session Format Snapshot

5:00pm CET

Snapshot: Roles of the youth in moving forward the UNGPs

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
The session will highlight the important roles of the youth in moving forward, including simplifying and facilitating, the implementation of UNGPs in practice.

Presentation objectives:
The youth representatives will share their innovative initiatives emerging from the competition on youth’s innovation on business and human rights recently held in Thailand.

Speakers

Natthawut Chaithong

First Runner-up,, Faculty of Business Administration, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok

Saharat Laksanasut (สหรัฐ ลักษณะสุต)

Winner of Thailand Business and Human Rights Youth Innovation Contest, Faculty of Education, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Saharat Laksanasut (สหรัฐ ลักษณะสุต), Saharat Laksanasut (สหรัฐ ลักษณะสุต),

Tuesday November 27, 2018 5:00pm - 5:15pm CET
Room XXIV

Stakeholder engagement, Communities and workers’ stories

Session Format Snapshot

5:15pm CET

Snapshot: Experiences from practice - Effective multi-stakeholder models working against child labour

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
The session will showcase an effective multi-stakeholder model (i.e. the “La Máquina Model”), working against child labour and offer both a government and a rights-holder perspective. The model, which has been developed and run in close collaboration with the Government of Guatemala, the ECLT Foundation, NGO partner DNI Costa Rica, local communities and private sector partners, not only focuses on schools and job skills but also provides child labour training for key local actors, like community leaders, teachers and technicians from companies that work with farmers, for a sustainable way to address child labour gaps in agricultural supply chains and promote decent youth employment.

Presentation objectives:
Ms. Rodriguez will speak briefly on the challenges she faces accessing education in her rural community, the importance of the model for her and her fellow participants.
Ms. Ochoa will give a short overview of the work, successes and challenges of the Ministry of Labour in the Eradication of Child Labour, specifically, the advances made as a country, including the “La Maquina Model” and the importance of building a replicable model in two departments of Guatemala. The replica aims to continue promoting education, ignite economic development and reduce migration in communities living in extreme poverty in Guatemala.

Speakers

Marta Lidia Lima

former child labourer and participant in youth employment promotion model, Student

Glenda Ochoa

Director of Social Welfare, Ministry of Labour of Guatemala

Tuesday November 27, 2018 5:15pm - 5:30pm CET
Room XXIV

Government action, Children, Labour rights | Stakeholder engagement, Children, Labour rights | Groups at risk, Children, Labour rights | Sectoral perspectives, Children, Labour rights

Session Format Snapshot

5:30pm CET

Snapshot: The impact of extractive activities in Honduras on the rights of indigenous peoples

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
Extractive activities, such as mining projects in Honduras, have affected collective and individual rights of indigenous peoples, such as their right to prior, free and informed consent, the right to water, their access to, use and control over land, and have negatively impacted on the enjoyment of a healthy environment. In this context, the human rights impacts on indigenous communities have received little attention from the government as well as from transnational enterprises involved, while human rights defenders rasing critical voices have been facing increased risks.

Objectives of the presentation:
Against the backdrop of these challenges, the presentation will feature a civil society perspective on what would be effective measures by government, transnational corporations, other business and investors to meet the requirements set out in the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in such a context. It will also offer the opportunity to explore existing avenues for improvement, including through meaningful participation of affected communities in decisions affecting their rights, as well as in the context of the possible development of a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.

Speakers

José Ramiro Lara

Coordinador de Proyecto, Association of Non-Governmental Organizations ASONOG

Tuesday November 27, 2018 5:30pm - 5:45pm CET
Room XXIV

Groups at risk, Communities and workers’ stories, Extractive industries, Indigenous peoples

Session Format Snapshot

5:45pm CET

Snapshot: The contribution of the indigenous Papuan community to promote respect of the rights of indigenous peoples

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
This session will highlight efforts made by the Papua People's Assembly to assist indigenous Papuans involved in preventing and overcoming the adverse effects of human rights associated with mega projects in Papua Province, Indonesia.

Objectives of the presentation:
This presentation will share experiences from the efforts by the Papuan People's Assembly and the indigenous Papuan community to promote respect of the rights of indigenous peoples, including their right to free, prior and informed consent in the context of business activities in the territories of indigenous peoples in Papua Province, Indonesia.

Speakers

Wensislaus Fatubun

fillmaker, human rights defender and human rights advisor, Papuan People's Assembly

Human Right Advisor and Papuan filmmaker

Tuesday November 27, 2018 5:45pm - 6:00pm CET
Room XXIV

Stakeholder engagement, Communities and workers’ stories, Human rights defenders, Indigenous peoples

Session Format Snapshot

6:00pm CET

Snapshot: The implications of Indigenous Peoples’ FPIC Protocols and Policies for business respect for human rights

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
Initial experiences of a growing number of indigenous communities in jurisdictions throughout the world suggests that formalizing their own engagement rules and procedures, in the form of consultation and free prior and informed consent (FPIC) protocols, policies, templates or guidelines, can be an effective way for indigenous peoples to ensure that business activities in or near their territories only proceed in a manner that respects their rights. These living documents provide companies, financial institutions and other actors seeking to operate in or near the territories of indigenous peoples with context specific indigenous-rights-based principles, rules and frameworks within which they should operate when seeking indigenous peoples’ consent.

Presentation objectives:
The speakers will address a research project involving European Network on Indigenous Peoples members from Middlesex University London School of Law, Forest Peoples Programme and INFOE that seeks to build on these experiences and contribute to the empowerment of indigenous peoples to assert their right to self-determined development by consolidating, exploring and sharing these evolving approaches and the associated lessons and resources. The Embera Chami in the Resguardo Indigena de Canamomo y Lomoprieta in Colombia are indigenous peoples who have developed consultation and consent protocols regulating natural resource governance in their territories. A former governor of this Resguardo will address their experience and the importance of company and State adherence to their protocols to guarantee business respect for their collective land, cultural and self-governance rights.

Speakers

Cathal Doyle

Research Fellow, Middlesex University London School of Law

Research fellow at Middlesex University London School of Law and member of the European Network on Indigenous Issues (ENIP)

Hector Jaime Vinasco

exGovernor and Coordinator of Natural Resources and Mining Program, Resguardo Indigena de Canamomo y Lomoprieta, Consejo de Gobierno Indígena

Tuesday November 27, 2018 6:00pm - 6:15pm CET
Room XXIV

Stakeholder engagement, Indigenous peoples, Regulatory and policy developments | Groups at risk, Indigenous peoples, Regulatory and policy developments

Session Format Snapshot

6:15pm CET

Snapshot: Upholding the right to participate in environmental matters for affected communities: Mexico’s Supreme Court ruling in the Sonora case

Interpretation is provided in English and Spanish

Brief description of the presentation:
This session aims to present briefly the Sonora case and related recent decision by the Mexican Supreme Court in September 2018. On 6 August 2014, 40 million liters of copper sulphate were spilled by Buenavista del Cobre, property of Grupo Mexico, into the Bácanuchi and Sonora rivers, impacting on the access to clean water, health and livelihoods of almost 25,000 people along the río Sonora watershed. Since 2014, affected peoples and communities have been seeking justice, integral remediation and guarantees of non-repetition. In the last four years, several irregularities have been committed by both the authorities and the company, including the beginning of the expansion of the mine. In September 2018, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled in favor of the community of Bacanuchi regarding the lack of consultation before granting the permits for such expansion, thus re-affirming the constitutional right to participate in environmental matters by affected communities.

Presentation objectives:
A representative of affected communities will share her testimony, and PODER will share more information on the case and the potential this ruling has in advancing the fulfilment of the right to participation in the context of business activities in Mexico and internationally.

Speakers

Benjamin Cokelet

Founder & Co-Executive Director, PODER

Ivette Gonzalez

Strategic Engagement Senior Associate, PODER (México)

Ivette Gonzalez is an Strategic Engagement Senior Associate at the Project on Organizing, Development, Education and Research (PODER). She co-coordinates the Civil Society Focal Group on Business and Human Rights in Mexico. Currently, Ms. González coordinates at PODER a project on... Read More →

Tuesday November 27, 2018 6:15pm - 6:30pm CET
Room XXIV

International standards, Indigenous peoples, Judicial grievance mechanisms | Groups at risk, Indigenous peoples, Judicial grievance mechanisms

Session Format Snapshot

6:30pm CET

Snapshot: Human Rights Insights from the Middle East: how accreditation frameworks help keeping business relevant to stakeholders in an increasingly challenging environment for human rights

Brief description of the presentation
In the absence of a progressive legal and regulatory environment, Lebanese and MENA corporates increasingly seek recognition for their BHR commitment by undertaking self-assessments and joining signatory initiatives. Accreditation frameworks developed in consultation with international organizations like the UN, World Bank and international development funds provide corporates with the necessary tool to go beyond local laws and demonstrate their commitment to international best practices. Research reveals how the financial industry is the most sensitive to operational and reputational risk while other industries still needs to work hard to adhere to best principles and standards in an increasingly convergent self-regulatory environment.

Presentation objectives:
Drawing on research undertaken by Shareholder Rights, the presentation will highlight alternative approaches tackling BHR in developing economies where legal and regulatory frameworks still struggle to keeping up to par with international requirements.

Speakers

Yasser Akkaoui

Founder, Shareholder Rights

Shareholder-Rights©, an online research and advocacy platform.With its integrity, objectivity and innovation, Shareholder-Rights’© goal is to be the primary destination for investors, shareholders and other stakeholders to have access to the insight which enables them to better... Read More →

Tuesday November 27, 2018 6:30pm - 6:45pm CET
Room XXIV

Stakeholder engagement, Regulatory and policy developments

Session Format Snapshot