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).
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.
8:00 – 8:30 | Participant Check-in and Continental Breakfast |
8:30 – 8:35 | Welcome, Meeting Objectives and Agenda |
8:35 – 10:00 | Leadership Dialogue and Perspectives on Human Rights and Business Government Leader Perspective of Human Rights and Business 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 Q&A |
10:00-10:15 | Break |
10:15-11:15 | The 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 Governance, U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB) Human Rights and Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter Q&A |
11:15-11:45 | Decent Work in the Global Economy |
11:45-1:00 | Lunch/Break |
1:00-2:00 | How 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) Q&A |
2:00-3:00 | Round Table Discussion on the Respect Pillar 30 Minute Round Table Discussion- Process: 30 Minute Table Discussion Report Outs – Process: |
3:00-3:15 | Break |
3:15-3:45 | Shifting realities of Grievance Mechanisms and their impact on affected rights holders |
3:45-4:45 | How Expectations regarding Grievance Mechanisms are changing and should be actioned Moderator: James Plunkett, Director of Labor Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Q&A |
4:45-5:15 | Business and Human Rights: Where will the coming years likely take us |
5:15-5:30 | Wrap-up and Next Steps |
5:30-7:00 | Cocktail Reception At the Coca-Cola Company's Headquarters following the Conference |
8:00-8:30 | Participant Check-in and Continental Breakfast |
8:30-9:45 | The 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: |
9:45-10:00 | Break |
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: Moderator: Linda Kromjong, Secretary-General, International Organization of Employers Panelists: |
11:30-12:30 | New 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: |
12:30-1:30 | Lunch/Conclusion |