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Events

UNEP FI 2007 Global Roundtable

Human Rights - What's the Role of Finance Sector?

Workshop 1.5.3
16.00-17.30

What is, and should be, the role of the financial sector regarding promotion and protection of human rights? What risk analysis do you carry out when making crucial decisions on providing credit for, or investing in, businesses in controversial sectors or geographical regions? How can a financial institution act responsibly to support growth in under-privileged communities?

Financial services companies support the activity of every other sector and are often associated with (and sometimes perceived to be responsible for) the actions of their clients. In this way, your company is exposed indirectly to the human rights risks faced by other sectors in addition to those faced directly within your own business.

Proactive discussion on human rights is a means of meeting stakeholder expectations, preserving your company's reputation and licence to operate, and helping to shape the agenda.

In response to increasing public and political interest in corporate behaviour in this area, the Human Rights session will analyse key human rights implications for the lending and investment community, including:

Indirect exposure to human rights risks through association with clients' business activities, supply chain and outsourcing.
Financial services for indigenous communities, financial inclusion for the poor.

Session Summary (PDF: 628 KB)

Speakers

Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (by videoconference)
Philippa Birtwell, Head of Public Issues, Department Corporate Affairs, Barclays Group plc
Justin Smith, Head of Governance and Sustainability, Nedbank
Angela Delfino, Senior Associate, Dewey & LeBoeuf
Paul Briggs, OAM, Chairman, First Nations Foundation
Vanessa Zimmerman, Legal Adviser, Special Representative of the United Nations' Secretary-General on Business and Human Rights