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BSR Insight Articles About Civil & Political Rights

We found 5 BSR Insight articles on this topic; most recently published at the top.

Entering Responsibly in Risky Markets: A Look at Myanmar

Chris Nolan, Associate Director, Advisory Services Jeremy Prepscius, Vice President, Asia-Pacific

Market entry in high-risk, transitional countries can often be characterized by significant and ongoing political, economic, and legal change and uncertainty, as well as profound opportunities for business. In such environments, business can contribute tangibly to a country's national development. But the stakes are high--for the company and the country. When countries are at their most vulnerable in their development trajectory, changes enacted are tenuous, and trusted, committed external partners--including business--are critical. Though companies are often tempted to rush in for fear of not "getting in at the ground level,"responsible businesses must consider the investment's social, economic, and environmental risks and opportunities even as they look at core business prospects, not as an afterthought. Short-termism is a perfect way to ensure investment booms in such a market spell doom for a country's prospects. Today, no country embodies these risks and opportunities more than Myanmar. The political and economic reforms sweeping the country have dramatically shifted its outlook and much of the world's perspective toward it, creating once unthinkable opportunities for business. While opportunities in sectors ranging from oil and gas to manufacturing, travel and tourism, information and communications technology (ICT), financial services, and agriculture may appear boundless, the risks of investing in this long-isolated nation are substantial, given the continued predominance of the military in politics and the economy, the vastly underdeveloped financial and legal/regulatory institutions, the weak rule of law and lack of an independent judiciary, endemic corruption, and poor human and labor rights records. Read more 

Posted: June 12, 2012 | Topics: Civil & Political Rights, Economic Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Human Rights

Innovative Solutions to Improving Women and Children’s Health

Elissa Goldenberg, Associate, Advisory Services

A new UN report explores how to improve women and children’s health globally. The report details what’s needed for successful development programs, outlines critical health needs, and highlights 10 innovative business models (including BSR’s HERproject) for delivering health services and products. Read more 

Posted: September 20, 2011 | Topics: Civil & Political Rights, Community Engagement & Development, Economic Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Human Rights, Women & Sustainability

How Freedom of Association Supports Economic Development

The International Labour Organization’s new report outlines how freedom of association—the right to create and join organizations without fear of reprisal—supports sustainable economic development. The report explores the challenges to freedom of association; provides case studies on the positive effects it can have when governments, employers’ organizations, and trade unions work together; and shares how these actors can promote respect for freedom of association. Read more 

Posted: September 6, 2011 | Topics: Civil & Political Rights, Economic Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Human Rights, Stakeholder Relations

Scaling the Impact of Worker Rights In-Factory Trainings

Ayesha Barenblat, Former Director, Stakeholder Collaboration

BSR—in partnership with the Levi Strauss Foundation (LSF)—recently authored a train-the-trainer resource for under-resourced worker rights training organizations operating in the light manufacturing industry. In developing this guide, organizations including Better Work, BSR’s China Training Institute, the Asia Foundation, Verite, and CARE collaborated for the first time to share lessons learned and innovative approaches to delivering worker rights trainings. Read more 

Posted: July 19, 2011 | Topics: Civil & Political Rights, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Supply Chain

Closer Look: Understanding Land Deals in Africa

The International Institute for Environment and Development's new guide to understanding land deals in Africa explores the significant impacts land contracts have on agriculture and food security in recipient countries. Land contracts define the terms of an investment project, and particularly how risks, costs, and benefits are distributed and who has the authority to sign the contract and through what process. Read more 

Posted: March 15, 2011 | Topics: Civil & Political Rights, Community Engagement & Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Energy, Governance & Accountability, Mining, Stakeholder Relations, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain

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