}

Past events

Business and Human Rights ‘101’ Introductory Webinar Series

20 May
2016

Online
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm

Event Details

Human rights are now key to responsible business practice, risk management and sustainability reporting.

The GCNA’s Business and Human Rights ‘101’ Introductory Webinar Series will provide an introduction to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) – the authoritative global reference point on business and human rights – and build business’ practical capacity to manage their human rights-related risks and meet growing expectations to ‘know and show’ that they are respecting human rights.

Over four sessions, the webinar series will unpack key elements of the UNGPs in a practical, accessible way:

  1. Introduction to Business & Human Rights and company Human Rights Policies
    Monday, 11 April 2016, 12.30 – 1.45pm: Completed
  2. Introduction to Assessing Human Rights Impacts
    Tuesday, 19 April 2016, 12.30 – 1.45pm: Completed
  3. Tracking Performance and Reporting on Human Rights
    Tuesday, 10 May 2016, 4 – 5.15pm: REGISTER
  4. Addressing Adverse Human Rights Impacts: Grievance Mechanisms and Remedy
    Tuesday, 17 May 2016, 12.30 – 1.45pm: REGISTER

The webinar series will be led by Vanessa Zimmerman Director, GCNA and Chair of the GCNA Human Rights Leadership Group. In addition to advising business as well as working with a variety of stakeholder groups was a Legal Advisor to Professor John Ruggie, the author of the UN Guiding Principles, in his capacity as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Business and Human Rights.

Vanessa will be joined by company representatives working to implement the UNGPs as part of the GCNA’s goal to encourage peer-to-peer learning and share best practice.

Why join?

Businesses face growing expectations from governments and regulators, NGOs, business partners, investors and other stakeholders to ‘know and show’ that they respect human rights both at home and abroad. Further building this momentum, in 2016, the Australian Government will begin formal consultations on a potential National Action Plan on business and human rights.

It is now critical for businesses to understand how to manage their human rights risks, and demonstrate that they are meeting their responsibilities. It is also important that businesses are equipped to participate in key policy discussions such as any forthcoming National Action Plan consultations. These webinars will bring businesses up to speed on the business and human rights agenda within Australia and globally, and outline the practical steps they need to take to manage their risks and meet their responsibilities on human rights.

Who should participate?

The webinar series is an essential core awareness-raising program for business on how to manage risks and meet growing stakeholder expectations around human rights. It is aimed at those new to business and human rights or looking for a refresher. While information will be provided about recent developments in the business and human rights field the series is targeted at those without extensive knowledge of the UNGPs. Other events will be held throughout the year to build on the series and to update members on new business and human rights initiatives and do some ‘deeper dives’ into specific issues.

The webinars are relevant for representatives from a wide range of business functions, including CSR / sustainability, community / stakeholder engagement, human resources, procurement, risk and compliance, legal and public affairs. The webinars are targeted at all sectors and companies operating both within and outside Australia. As a result they will not focus on any one thematic issue such as labour rights though relevant cross-sectoral examples will be brought into the discussion.

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