Business and Human Rights workshop, Sydney

Where: AGSM, CBD Campus, L6, 1 O'Connell St, Sydney

When: 29 August 2008

Due to its increasing expansion, the corporate sector is arguably one of, if not, the most important international influence on human rights. The positive response by the international business community to a recent report by the UN’s Special Representative for Business and Human Rights is indicative of the increasing awareness in the business community of the importance of human rights.

In the light of these significant developments, it is vital that Australian corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioners keep abreast of current thinking. This interactive workshop aims to:

• demonstrate the clear relationship between corporate responsibility, sustainability and human rights;
• provide an overview and introduction to Human Rights, International Law and the United Nations System;
• consider relevant codes and examples of industry specific initiatives relating to human rights;
• discuss business initiatives respecting and promoting human rights
• investigate evolving issues including the right to a clean environment and potential consequences for business operations and
• debate the challenges, lessons learned and some of the results achieved.

Prof Brian Burdekin, AO, one of the foremost authorities on international human rights will share his international experience and provide the introduction to international human rights, the United Nations (UN) and the relevance of international treaties to corporate Australia. Rachel Nicolson, Senior Associate, Allens Arthur and Robinson (AAR), who with others at AAR, has been assisting the UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rightson his mandate, will provide an update on the status of international lawfollowing the release of his report which will include specific corporate examples and the status of the business and human rights debate under Australian law.

Panellists will discuss how companies tackle the complexities of emerging human rights expectations and issues such as the right to a clean environment and include Maria Simpson, Manager, Corporate Responsibility and Community Investment, Telstra Ltd and David Butcher, CEO, Greening Australia, NSW.

This workshop is suitable for everybody wishing to develop a better understanding of the relationship between business and human rights. It will offer participants adequate time to interact with speakers and panellists.

Numbers are strictly limited so if you intend to participate, be quick to register at http://www.momentumpartnerships.com/services/Resources/Momentum_Workshop05.pdf. (PDF 678KB)