This Summit was generously supported by Marshalls plc, enabling these important conversations to take place.
The UN Global Compact Network UK’s Business & Human Rights Summit was an interactive digital event featuring a series of discussions over the course of two days, 30-31 March 2021. We brought business representatives together with top leaders from the United Nations, the UK Government, and civil society to progress, shape, and showcase how businesses are addressing salient human rights issues in 2021.
30 March - Day 1
OPENING PLENARY:
UNITING BUSINESS (& HUMAN RIGHTS) FOR A BETTER WORLD
09:45-11:00 BST
Session overview: This session convened business leaders, and civil society to discuss the importance of human rights for the conduct of responsible business globally and locally. A high-profile speaker panel shared their insights on main business and human rights issues in 2021 and upcoming years, identifying key cross-sector partnerships and synergies – especially in relation to the SDGs, UNGPs, and other relevant frameworks – and set the scene for this two-day summit.
Speakers:
CEO & Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact
Dr Márcia Balisciano,
Global Head CR, RELX and Chair, UNGC UK (Moderator)
Antonio Zappulla,
CEO, Thomson Reuters Foundation
Peter Hugh Smith,
CEO, CCLA Investment Management
Marcela Manubens,
Global VP, Integrated Social Sustainability, Unilever
Dr Waris Husain,
Senior Attorney, American Bar Association Center for Human Rights
David Schofield,
Group Head of Corporate Responsibility, Aviva
Anita Ramasastry, Member-UN Working Group-Business & Human Rights & Henry M. Jackson Prof. of Law, University of Washington
For any questions regarding this session, please contact Karla Drpić, Project Manager –Business & Human Rights.
TARGET GENDER EQUALITY ACTION DIALOGUE
11:30-13:00 BST
Session overview: In this high-level policy dialogue, participants looked back at the first edition of Target Gender Equality in the UK, discussed forward-looking steps and ambitious corporate targets that companies are setting to advance women’s representation and leadership in business, and foster discussions and partnerships on gender equality between relevant stakeholders.
Speakers:
Dr Elisabeth Kelan, Professor of Leadership & Organisation, University of Essex
Simon Boss, Chief Executive, Shoosmiths
Dr Márcia Balisciano, Global Head CR, RELX and Chair, UNGC UK
Shiv Sibal, General Counsel & Company Secretary, Marshalls plc
Tim Strawn, Regional CEO for EMEA, ERM
Claire Barnett, Executive Director, UN Women UK
Stephen Miles, CEO Commercial Services, DWF LLP
Deepti Velury, Chief People Officer, Tag Worldwide Group
Leanne Wood, Chief HR Officer, Vodafone
Rebekah Martin, HR SVP Reward & Inclusion, AstraZeneca
Carly Bilsbrough, Head of CSR, The Very Group
Emma Cowan, Associate Director, Programmes, Social Development Direct
For any questions regarding this session, please contact Karla Drpić, Project Manager – Business & Human Rights.
ACTING AGAINST STATE-IMPOSED FORCED LABOUR
13:30-14:45 BST
Session overview: There is a growing number of examples highlighting state-imposed forced labour infiltrating global supply chains. This session brought business associations and civil society together to discuss how to best act in order to prevent state-imposed forced labour from entering supply chains.
Speakers:
Joanna Ewart-James, Executive Director, Freedom United
Owain Johnstone, Policy Advisor, Ethical Trade Initiative
Julia Batho, Head of Labour Rights, IHRB
(Moderator)
Peter Andrews, Head of Sustainability Policy, British Retail Consortium
Chris Southworth, Secretary General, International Chambers of Commerce UK
For any questions regarding this session, please contact Marcella Mizzi, Project Manager – Business & Human Rights.
CLIMATE MIGRATION AND THE ROLE OF BUSINESS
15:30-17:00 BST
Session overview: Climate-induced migration is increasingly becoming a reality that business cannot ignore. This session discussed climate migration with business, experts and civil society and focused on what strategies and practical actions business can take to address this issue.
Speakers:
Caroline Ashley, Director of System Change, Forum for the Future
Mr. Andrew Harper, UNHCR Special Advisor on Climate Action
Dr. Lee Matthews, Assistant Professor in Business and Society, Nottingham University Business School
Owen Tudor, Deputy General Secretary, The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
Dr. Liz Wilks, Sustainability & Stakeholder Director – UK & Europe, Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) Sinar Mas
Dilhan C. Fernando, CEO of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC. & Chairman of the UN Global Compact Sri Lanka Network
For any questions regarding this session, please contact Marcella Mizzi, Project Manager – Business & Human Rights.
*Please note that we have taken every care to ensure that all sessions at the Business & Human Rights Summit feature gender and ethnically diverse panels, where possible.
