| Affiliation with other organizations: |
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Amnesty International Human Rights Watch Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, UK |
| Publications: |
From Red to Green Flags - The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights in High Risk Countries, May 2011 The UN Global Compact and Human Rights: Developing a vision for 2020, October 2010 The 'State of Play' of Human Rights Due Diligence: Anticipating the next 5 years, June 2010 |
| Purpose of the organization: |
The Institute provides a trusted, impartial space for dialogue and independent analysis to deepen understanding of human rights challenges and issues and the appropriate role of business. We seek to address problems where the law may be unclear, where accountability and responsibility may not be well-defined, and where legitimate dispute settlement mechanisms may be non-existent or poorly-administered. The Institute works to raise corporate standards and strengthen public policy to ensure that the activities of companies do not contribute to human rights abuses, and in fact lead to positive outcomes. |
| Confirmation of the activities of the organization at the regional, national or international level: |
As of 2011, we will be developing advocacy work relating to our four pillars of activity (the first is permanent, the remaining three are current thematic priorities): Capability/Accountability – Producing shadow reports of States under the UN Human Rights Universal Periodic Review mechanism and lobbying for States to routinely include business behaviour in their reporting and to empower NGOs and national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in countries of origin to add scrutiny; Natural Resources (Land and Water) Land - Undertaking international research into the interpretation of ‘public purpose’ in the use of Eminent Domain (compulsory purchase) within land appropriate for economic development; developing and promoting a multi-stakeholder vulnerability index relating to overseas land acquisition in Africa. The Institute plans to test land acquisition principles during 2011 and 2012 – partnering with local organizations in East Africa, Colombia and Malaysia, looking at building capacity in key constituencies, i.e. NHRIs, land professionals, government departments and business associations Water - Launching an advocacy/ position paper on the business responsibilities in relation to water and human rights for external consultation and final launch at Stockholm World Water Week in August 2011; Migration – Working to develop and promote due diligence safeguards on supply chains, focusing on the role of recruitment agencies – in particular in relation to payment and retention of travel documents. The Institute is partnering with the Fair Labor Association, Ethical Trading Initiative and BSR (The Business of a Better World). The focus of this work will exclusively be on South Asia during 2011 and 2012. Conflict – Working to develop a due diligence framework for business operating in conflict and high-risk zones, encompassing international criminal and humanitarian law. Expert convenings on conflict, held in Colombia, South Africa and the UK in 2010 has helped shape this work and has resulted in a report which will be launched in Bern, Switzerland, in May 2011. |
| A list of members of the governing body of the organization, and their countries of nationality: |
Mary Robinson (Chair), Ireland Peter Woicke, Germany Bjorn Edlund, Sweden Bennett Freeman, USA Caroline Rees, UK Auret van Heerden, South Africa Wambui Kimathi, Kenya Chris Marsden, UK Luis Fernando de Angulo, Colombia Irene Khan, Bangladesh Isabel Hilton, UK |
| Description of the membership of the organization, indicating the total number of members: |
11 Board Members 4 Trustees 5 Members of staff 3 Research Fellows 1 Intern |
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