Business & Human Rights: Peer Learning Event (afternoon session)

Federal Institute for Sustainable Development

Discuss experiences on national action plans, share best practices in human rights due diligence, and explore emerging regional trends.

Egmont Palace

The Business &amp; Human Rights landscape is constantly evolving, with governments, international organizations, and companies facing growing expectations to respect human rights and prevent harm. The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) have led to significant progress in managing business-related human rights risks and impacts, but challenges remain in ensuring better protection and prevention of adverse human rights impacts.This peer learning meeting aims to bring together international experts and representatives from States, civil society, and the private sector to share insights on the current state of play and prepare for the future. The peer learning meeting will focus on sharing experiences with national action plans, best practices in human rights due diligence, and emerging trends and challenges in different regions. The event builds on peer learning exercises previously organized by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2013.The afternoon session is open for all stakeholders.

<h3>Beware that "Session I: Advancing Women’s Rights at the Workplace" and "Session II: Responsible Mining" will be held at the same time (14h15 – 15h15). You can only attend one session during this time slot. Please select either Session I or Session II.</h3>

<h3>UNFORTUNATELY SESSION IV HAS BEEN CANCELED. </h3>

Agenda

Registration

Introduction and opening adress

This breakout session will address the persistent gender gap and barriers that women face in economic and social spheres, as highlighted in a recent report by the UN Human Rights Council. We will discuss various aspects of women's experiences related to discrimination, economic inequality, and societal roles, share successful strategies and challenges in implementing measures to enhance women's rights and opportunities in the workplace. The session aims to foster dialogue on effective solutions, including legal reforms, promoting equal pay, supporting women's leadership, and addressing violence against women in order to create a more equitable work environment. This session will be moderated by Dr. Anaïs Tobalagba (NOVA Business, Human Rights and Environment Centre) with participation from prof. Robert McCorquodale (member of the UN Working Group on BHR), Lieve Verboven (director ILO Office for the EU and Benelux countries) and Florence Raes (director UN Women Brussels Office).

Session I: Advancing Women’s Rights at Work

This session aims to raise awareness of the challenges of respecting human rights in the international supply chains of essential critical raw materials and to develop a common understanding of “Responsible Mining”. Confirmed speakers are Peter Tom Jones (Director KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals), Peter Fröven (IndustriALL Global Union), Filip Reyniers (Director IPIS Independent Research Institute), IMERYS (TBC), Cecilia Mattea (The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance)

Session II: Responsible Mining 

In this breakout session participants will explore the intersection of children's rights and business practices, focusing on how businesses can impact these rights, particularly regarding child labor and vulnerability. The session will feature a panel presentation followed by an open discussion that encourages participants to share their own experiences, challenges, and innovative ideas for integrating children's rights into business and human rights legislation and policies. Key topics include effective legislative frameworks, international cooperation, and strategies for amplifying children's voices and ensuring their rights are visible and upheld in the business context. This session will be moderated by UNICEF, with keynote speaker Benoît Van Keirsbilck (member of the UN Committee on the rights of the child) and UNICEF representatives.

Session III: Children’s Rights & Business

UNFORTUNATELY THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELED. If you have already registered, please unregister via your Eventbrite account and choose another session.                                                                              In this breakout session, participants will be introduced to the Team Europe Initiative, which focuses on supporting the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in EU partner countries. Representatives from the European Commission and the Team Europe Initiative will discuss how they are developing an accessible platform for stakeholders in partner countries to obtain information about the requirements and opportunities presented by the EU Directive, as well as guidance on available support measures. This session aims to facilitate understanding and engagement with the Directive, empowering participants to navigate its implications effectively.

Session IV: EU Helpdesk for Implementation of CSDDD 

Recap of thematic breakout sessions

Concluding remarks

Reception

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Business & Human Rights: Peer Learning Event (afternoon session)

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Business & Human Rights: Peer Learning Event (afternoon session)

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