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Search On 27th November, CGF Social Sustainability Director Didier Bergeret co-hosted a panel session, entitled “Addressing ‘modern slavery’ in supply chains – Company responses” at the United Nation’s Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. The UN Forum is the world’s largest annual gathering on business and human rights with more than 2,000 participants from government, business, community groups and civil society, law firms, investor organisations, UN bodies, national human rights institutions, trade unions, academia and the media.
Alongside Rob Lederer, Executive Director of Responsible Business Alliance, Didier introduced the panel of human rights experts from business (including CGF members Walmart and Nestlé), and the non-profit sector, including the International Justice Mission and the Global Reporting Initiative. Bob Mitchell, Vice President of Responsible Business Alliance facilitated the panel, during which speakers provided powerful testimonials from their experiences across different sectors on how they address forced labour in their operations and supply chains. They reviewed the core process to operationalise supply chain due diligence on forced labour while exploring collective action needed with stakeholders to address the root causes of this issue.
Didier Bergeret said, “I was delighted to have had the opportunity to introduce such a committed and cross-sectoral panel of experts dedicated to helping to make slavery history.”
The UN Human Rights Council established the Forum in 2011 to serve as a global platform for stakeholders to discuss trends and challenges in the implementation of the Guiding Principles and promote dialogue and cooperation on issues linked to business and human rights, including challenges faced in particular sectors, operational environments or in relation to specific rights or groups, as well as identifying good practices.
