In the first session of this FIBS Focus training you will learn
- what the purpose is of social audits
- the limitations of social compliance audits as a risk management tool
- if not audits, then what? Are there other ways to manage these risks?
- from the frontrunners: case Royal Philips NV
The requirements for business to properly manage human rights are clearly defined in the United Nations Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights (UNGP). It requires proper management of human rights risks in business operations, including a company’s supply chain.
To do so, companies often rely on social compliance audits to monitor labour conditions at supplier level. Several standards and third-party audit schemes are used as a tool to measure and improve compliance with international labour standards. It is seen as a scalable way to engage with complex and large supply chains.
However, in recent years there have been criticisms regarding traditional social compliance audits as the approach is largely failing to foster sustainable improvements within workplaces. What are these criticisms? And how could companies manage human rights in their supply chain instead – or on top of – audits?
About Business & Human Rights 2020
Business & Human Rights 2020 training is produced by FIBS Partner Enact Sustainable Strategies which is a values-led consultancy specializing in sustainable business development and corporate responsibility. The training was organized for the first time in 2019, and received excellent feedback from the participants.
Business & Human Rights training aims to provide multinational Finnish companies an arena for creative dialogue, knowledge building and experience sharing in the field of business and human rights.
This is an opportunity for the participants to stay abreast of the rapid developments within the field of business and human rights. The training will focus on “the how” – methods, tools and how to work in practice.
Especially companies that have a sincere ambition to integrate human rights into business practices are encouraged to join this training. The contents are relevant for any sustainability manager or alike, that has a certain interest, and is responsible for managing human rights in their organization. Participants should be open to share their knowledge, experiences and challenges when it comes to human rights.
Program
9.30 Breakfast
10.00 Welcome and intro, FIBS & Enact
What are social audits supposed to do? What are the requirements on managing human and labour rights in global supply chains?
Pitfalls and challenges with social audits
Quick dive into research on the topic
Sonja Finer from Finnwatch sharing a view point
12.00-12.45 Lunch
Future of audits: towards more collaboration and engagement?
Learning from a best practice case: Philips
Dylan McNeill, Global Director for Supplier Sustainability sharing Philips’s journey from audits to supplier engagement strategy
Questions and answers
Exercises and sharing insights
Q&A, closing words and trends/topical in supply chain management at the moment
16.00 The event ends
For whom
- FIBS Pro members ; Large and middle sized companies that have a sincere ambition to integrate human rights into business practices
- Sustainability managers or alike, who deal with legal, HR, communications, business development, corporate responsibility, quality control, work safety, procurement or stakeholder relations related topics, and are responsible for managing human rights in their organization
- Participants who are open to share their knowledge, experiences and challenges when it comes to human rights
- Limited number of seats, maximum of 2 persons per company
Speakers
Anne Manschot is a consultant at Enact and an experienced facilitator and trainer. Since 2018, Anne has focused her career on sustainability, specifically looking at supply chain management and labour rights. Previous to joining Enact, Anne advised on the implementation and development of auditing standards at both UTZ Certified and as consultant to the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF). She has extensive experience regarding supply chain data collection and risk management tools.
Dylan McNeill is the global director for supplier sustainability at Royal Philips. In this role, Dylan oversees various programs, including Philips’ sustainability engagement program with direct suppliers, the company’s initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in the supply chain, and several projects relating to the responsible sourcing of minerals.
Practicalities
Members sign up for a year to attend all 4 sessions included in this Focus group. Please note that you need to register only once here to attend all sessions. The sessions are structured around three main elements: training, inspiration and sharing as well as networking opportunities. Two sessions will be organized during the spring and two in the autumn:
- 27.02. Business & Human Rights 1: Social audits
- 28.05. Business & Human Rights 2: Grievance mechanisms
- 08.09. Business & Human Rights 3: Human rights in Scandinavia
- 03.12. Business & Human Rights 4: Stakeholder dialogue
Participation fees
The event is included in FIBS Pro membership fee.
Further information
Miira Kokkonen, coordinator, FIBS, miira.kokkonen@fibsry.fi, 044 367 3632
In Partnership with
