BSR Insight | Emerging Themes from Rio: The Role of Business in Ensuring Human Rights
About the Author(s)
Alison Colwell, Associate Director, Advisory Services
Publication Date
July 3, 2012
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At the UN Global Compact's Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum session entitled "Corporate Respect and Support for Human Rights: A Key Foundation for Sustainability," panelists discussed their experiences conducting human rights due diligence, improving workers' well-being, and engaging with indigenous peoples. One panelist specifically highlighted the importance of respect for human rights as the core of all business activities: "Human rights are a critical gene in the make-up of sustainability because it is the foundation of justice and peace, healthy children, and sustainable livelihoods on the planet."
--Pierre Sane, UNGC Board Member and President of Imagine Africa International
BSR believes companies should go beyond risk mitigation to maximize opportunities to enhance human rights. Companies are increasingly taking, and must take, a leadership position in the social and environmental sustainability landscape. Side events such as the Corporate Sustainability Forum and other discussions at the Rio+20 Summit underlined this emerging theme.
About the Author(s)
Alison Colwell, Associate Director, Advisory Services
With years of experience working with bilateral and multilateral international development agencies, Alison brings a multifaceted work portfolio to BSR... Read more →
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