WEBINAR: Bringing Principles into Practice – Promoting Responsible Business Conduct through Business and Human Rights Principles and Multistakeholder Engagement in East Africa
11 April 10.30-12.15
Place: online
Registration: register by sending an email to caba@dca.dk (NB if you signed up for the initial date you are already registered)
About the event
DanChurchAid (DCA) is working with responsible business conduct together with partners globally to ensure protection of vulnerable populations and the environment, to enhance sustainable food systems, and ensure food security where climate change and business activity is jeopardizing livelihoods. Addressing business and human rights action through new legislation, national action plans and corporate due diligence is becoming increasingly critical to prevent and mitigate human rights abuse and ensure a just transition.
In November last year DCA released their “Bringing Principles into Practice” case compilation, which compiled several inputs from actors who has experience promoting and advancing responsible business conduct through business and human rights principles within East Africa. On April 11, DCA, contributors of the publication, and other stakeholders which include civil society, private sector and legal advisors, will offer valuable insights, and recommendations to stakeholders within the region, and globally, and discuss what challenges lie ahead to ensure progression. The session will also allow for a discussion of the status of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and emphasize other relevant legislation and guidelines.
Programme
10.30-10.40 Introduction by DanChurchAid & Key recommendations
10.40-10.50 Advancing Business and Human Rights in Tanzania through Multistakeholder Approach
Ruth A. Shah Wigley, ARS IURA Consultancy Services Limited
10.50-11.00 Strengthening Corporate Human Rights Due Diligence: Moving Companies from Commitment to Action
Esther Yongo, Global Compact Kenya
11.00-11.10 Amplifying Responsible Business Conduct through National Fora in Uganda
Andrew Byaruhanga, Resource Rights Africa
11.10-11.20 Issues of Communities’ Rights and the Mining Industry’s Contribution to Local Development (TBC)
Céline Tshizena Tshinate Pegasus, AFREWATCH (TBC)
11.20-11.35 Q&A for presentations
11.35 -11.50 Update on Relevant EU Legislation (incl. CSDDD)
Joseph Byomuhangyi, Uganda Consortium for Corporate Accountability
11.50-12.10 Perspective and Discussion (faciliated by DCA)
12.10-12.15 Wrap up
Background
The East African region is one of the world’s richest natural resource regions and attracts significant attention in the extractive and energy sectors. Many countries in the region possess vast areas of fertile land, which are essential for sustenance of communities and agricultural industries. Land Based Investments (LBIs) are implemented with a view to contribute to GDP growth and agri-food value chains, which are essential to tackle food security challenges persisting in the region. While LBIs contribute to economic development and provide for multiple employment opportunities and infrastructure development in the region, they have also been associated with risks to workers-, land-, and environmental rights.
The business and human rights agenda has gained particular traction in the East African region, where Kenya and Uganda as the first countries on the African continent have adopted a national action plan on business and human rights (NAP), and other countries have committed to embark on similar journeys. Whereas NAPs constitute a unique opportunity to guide activities to enhance the implementation of existing national human rights law, states and businesses must also prepare for the increase in binding regulation of global supply chains. The adoption of the CS3D will soon increase the demand from private corporations to account for human rights and climate impact throughout their value chains.