2016 Program

2016 ENGAGING BUSINESS Conference

The Three Pillars of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

Expert updates on the Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework — what Business needs to know now

Sponsored by the U.S. Council for International Business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the International Organization of Employers. Hosted by The Coca-Cola Company

September 22-23, 2016

The Coca-Cola Company’s World Headquarters
One Coca-Cola Plaza
Atlanta, Georgia

Overview

On behalf of the U.S. Council for International Business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the International Organization of Employers, we hope you will join us for the International Engaging Business Forum on “The Three Pillars of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: What Business needs to know now” on September 22-23, 2016. This is the ninth human rights forum hosted by The Coca-Cola Company.

The forum provides a unique opportunity for a candid discussion between business leaders and other experts from government and civil society on the importance of the corporate responsibility to respect human rights and the challenges faced by business in demonstrating respect for human rights in their business operations. A variety of experts will offer diverse perspectives on a number of cutting-edge issues in this important field, including new developments on the state duty to protect (Pillar 1), evolving corporate reporting frameworks related to adverse human rights impacts (Pillar 2) and emerging practice in providing access to effective remedy (Pillar 3).

97fdc9931c8c49dece623815e4d9ae19

Participants will come away with an appreciation for the progress made aligned with the Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework and how different companies are integrating respect for human rights, based on guidance provided in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. A variety of cutting-edge issues in this important field will be covered from different viewpoints as outlined in the agenda below.

Please note that this year’s Forum will be a day and a half event. The main conference will take place on September 22 from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, followed by a cocktail reception. The program will continue with a side event on September 23 from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, focusing on new developments on global supply chains at the International Labour Organization and in national legislation (e.g. the UK Modern Slavery Act) and new initiatives on forced labor and human trafficking.

There is no fee to attend the forum; however, all participants must register in advance. Please note that seating is limited for this forum, so you are strongly encouraged to register early. Registration is now closed; please contact sbyrnes@coca-cola.com if you would like to attend. 

 

September 22- AGENDA
8:00 – 8:30 Participant Check-in and Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 8:35Welcome, Meeting Objectives and Agenda
  • Cindy Sawyer, International Labor Relations and Workplace Rights Director, The Coca-Cola Company
    		•
    8:35 – 10:00Leadership Dialogue and Perspectives on Human Rights and Business
  • Facilitated by Brent Wilton, Global Workplace and Human Rights Director, The Coca-Cola Company


    • Government Leader Perspective of Human Rights and Business
  • Ambassador Andrew Jackson Young, Jr., 14th United States Ambassador to the United Nations, 55th Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, and Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 5th district


    • Author's Perspective on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, focusing on the Protect, Respect, and Remedy Framework, including where we are now and lessons learned
  • John Ruggie, Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights and an Affiliated Professor in International Legal Studies at Harvard Law School


    • Q&A
    10:00-10:15Break
    10:15-11:15The Evolution of State Protection: What's new at the national and global levels regarding Government's Responsibility to Protect Human Rights

    Moderator:     Sarah Fox, Special Representative for International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of State

  • Thomas Richards, Chief of Staff, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor
  • Ariel Meyerstein, Vice President for Labor Affairs, Corporate Responsibility and Corporate
    Governance, U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB)
  • Phil Bloomer, Executive Director, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
  • Michael Addo, Member of the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Business and
    Human Rights and Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter


    • Q&A
    11:15-11:45Decent Work in the Global Economy
  • Chris Lu, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor
    		•
    11:45-1:00Lunch/Break
    1:00-2:00How the Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights is developing,
    including the identification of salient human rights issues and reporting

    Moderator:     Linda Kromjong, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Employers (IOE)

  • Caroline Rees, President, Shift
  • John Morrison, Executive Director, Institute for Human Rights and Business
  • Teresa Fogelberg, Deputy Chief Executive, GRI


    • Q&A
    2:00-3:00Round Table Discussion on the Respect Pillar

    30 Minute Round Table Discussion- Process:
  • Tables will be given questions to consider
  • Facilitators assigned to each table to guide the discussion
  • Tables asked to designate one participant to report out, if table is called on
  • One “note taker” assigned to each table to capture key discussion points


    • 30 Minute Table Discussion Report Outs – Process:
  • Moderator facilitates report outs and Subject Matter Experts provide further comments and insights
  • Approx. five tables selected to report out on points discussed (5 minutes each or less)
  • Moderator will probe for understanding and glean key insights
  • Different tables will be called on to report out later in the Conference
    		•
    3:00-3:15Break
    3:15-3:45Shifting realities of Grievance Mechanisms and their impact on affected rights holders
  • Cherie Blair CBE, QC -- Chair, Omnia Strategy LLP
    		•
    3:45-4:45How Expectations regarding Grievance Mechanisms are changing and should be actioned

    Moderator:     James Plunkett, Director of Labor Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

  • Ron Oswald, General Secretary of the International Union of Food and Allied Workers
  • Melike Yetken, Senior Adviser, Corporate Responsibility, U.S. Department of State
  • Kevin Coon, Managing Partner of Baker & McKenzie's Toronto Office
  • Yousuf Aftab, Principal, Enodo Rights


    • Q&A
    4:45-5:15Business and Human Rights: Where will the coming years likely take us
  • John Ruggie, Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights and an Affiliated Professor in International Legal Studies at Harvard Law School
    		•
    5:15-5:30Wrap-up and Next Steps
  • Brent Wilton, Director of Global Workplace Rights, The Coca-Cola Company
    		•
    5:30-7:00Cocktail Reception
    At the Coca-Cola Company's Headquarters following the Conference

    Side Event (September 23)- AGENDA
    8:00-8:30Participant Check-in and Continental Breakfast
    8:30-9:45The Role of Employer Organizations in Global Policy Engagement on Human Rights and Labor Standards

    This session will include an overview of employer organization engagement in global policy discussions on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises; a debrief of the June 2016 Intergovernmental Working Group on the development of a treaty on transnational corporations & human rights Treaty; and a preview of 5th Annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights (Nov 2016).

    Moderator: Laura Chapman Rubbo, Director of International Labor Standards, The Walt Disney Company

    Panelists:
  • Ariel Meyerstein, Vice President for Labor Affairs, Corporate Responsibility and Corporate Governance, U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB)
  • Linda Kromjong, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Employers (IOE)
  • James Plunkett, Director of Labor Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
    		•
    9:45-10:00Break
    10:00-11:30 Employer Updates on Policy Initiatives on Multinational Enterprises and Global Supply Chains

    This session will inform participants about the outcomes of:
  • The International Labor Organization’s General Discussion on Decent Work in Global Supply Chains in June 2016 and the related business strategy;
  • The first meeting of the Tripartite Working Group, which is tasked to review the ILO MNE Declaration, and the business strategy.


    • Moderator: Linda Kromjong, Secretary-General, International Organization of Employers

    Panelists:
  • Ed Potter, Employers` Spokesperson in the ILC Discussion on Decent Work in Global Supply Chains
  • Ariel Meyerstein, Vice President for Labor Affairs, Corporate Responsibility and Corporate Governance, U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB)
  • Matthias Thorns, Senior Advisor, International Organization of Employers
    		•
    11:30-12:30New Initiatives Promoting Ethical Recruitment and New Legal Tools for Combating Forced Labor and Human Trafficking

    This session will discuss recent laws, policies, international instruments and multi-stakeholder cooperative mechanisms for promoting ethical recruitment practices and combatting forced labor. Panel members will discuss the importance and inter-linkages of the 2015 ILO Protocol on Forced Labor, the UK Modern Slavery Bill, the California Transparency Act, the Obama Executive Order on Public Procurement, as well as other similar pending legislation and instruments.

    Moderator: David Schilling, Senior Program Director, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR)

    Panelists:
  • Cherie Blair CBE, QC -- Chair, Omnia Strategy LLP
  • John Morrison, Executive Director, Institute for Human Rights and Business
  • Lara White, Senior Labor Migration Specialist, International Organization on Migration
  • Houtan Homayounpour, Forced Labor Specialist, International Labor Organization
    		•
    12:30-1:30Lunch/Conclusion