Upcoming events in April-June 2021

April 2, 2021

In 2021, UNDP will drive a wide range of national and regional events on Business and Human Rights (BHR) exploring a multitude of topics including Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) practice, policy development on BHR and Human Rights Defenders (HRD).

Some of the events are only in the planning phase; please return to this page regularly as the list below will be updated with further details, registration links and event announcements.

Regional

Launch of B+HR Asia Campaign on Human Rights and the Environment, Online | 22 April 2021

On Earth Day, B+HR Asia launches an online campaign on a new programming initiative: Exploring linkages between human rights and the environment, and the role of business in minimizing harmful impacts on people and the planet.

Virtual Workshop on the Role of Scholars in Promoting Business and Human Rights Law and Policy Reforms in Asia, Online | 26-28 April 2021

The Public Law and Human Rights Forum at City University of Hong Kong’s Law School, the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), United Nations Development Programme’s B+HR Asia (UNDP), and the Human Rights and Business Academy (HURBA) are collaborating to organize a virtual workshop to build capacity of academics and researchers from Asian states to conduct evidence-based research and invigorate scholarship in Asia on the area of business and human rights.

B+HR Asia Roundtable: Business, Human Rights and the Environment, Online | 6 May 2021 (TBC)
Registration link to be announced soon

UNDP B+HR Asia convenes its first in a series of discussions on business and human rights and the environment to answer three basic questions: What work has been done so far? What efforts are producing results? And what more needs to happen to strengthen linkages and galvanize action? 

United Nations Forum on Responsible Business and Human Rights in Asia, Online | 1-4 June 2021
Details and registration link to be announced soon

National

Responsible Business Week and a Small Social Media Campaign Promoting Responsible Business, Viet Nam | 19-25 April 2021

UNDP, in collaboration with VnExpress, have produced two talks with Saitex International and Les Vergers du Mekong, the only two certified B-Corporations in Viet Nam. The first talk with the founder of Saitex International, Mr. Sanjeev Bahl, will be aired at 8pm ICT Wednesday April 21, the second talk with the founder of Les Vergers du Mekong, Mr. Jean-Luc Voisin, will be aired at 8pm ICT on Friday, April 23, via:

The access link to the Talk will be updated on the release date.

Demo Class of a Responsible Business Elective Course, Viet Nam | 20 April 2021
Invitee only

Launch of the Study on Corporate Awareness and Implementation of Responsible Business Practice in Viet Nam, Viet Nam | 23 April 2021
Invitee only

Virtual Launch Event of Report “The Weakest Link in the Global Supply Chain: How the Pandemic is Affecting Bangladesh's Garment Workers”, Bangladesh | 29 April 2021
Registration link to be announced soon

Business and Human Rights Programme Launch, Mongolia | 29 April 2021 (TBC)
Register here

The “Business and Human Rights in Asia” programme will launch in Mongolia virtually at 2:00PM ULAT on 29 April 2021 and it will be open to public.

The event will feature highly engaging panel discussions on “Why do human rights matter to businesses and the country’s economy?” with the well-recognized international business and human rights advisers, national specialists and business representatives from foreign and domestic companies.

Sub-national consultation on the protection of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), Thailand | 10 May 2021
Invitee only

The protection of HRDs has been identified as one of the four key priority areas in Thailand’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP). To support the implementation of the NAP, UNDP conducts a study dedicated to the protection of HRDs to provide an overview of the challenges they face, existing mechanisms in place and where they fall short to sufficiently protect HRDs and provide access to remedy, with special attention to Women Human Rights Defenders. The sub-national consultation in Songkla is organized to present preliminary findings of the study and to seek feedback and inputs on the recommendations included.

Public Consultations on Draft Codes of Conduct on Environmentally Responsible Business Practice in Coffee, and Fruit & Vegetable Industries, Viet Nam | 12 & 15 May 2021 (TBC) 
Invitee only

Seminar on Integrating Responsible Business into Teaching Framework of Third-level Educational Institutions in Viet Nam, Viet Nam | 17 May 2021 (TBC)
Invitee only

Public Consultations on Indonesia’s National Strategy on Business and Human Rights, Indonesia | 18-19 May 2021 (TBC)
Invitee only

As part of the consultations on Indonesia’s National Strategy on Business and Human Rights members of the government, academics, businesses and CSOs will meet to further refine the first draft of the document. The draft was shared with the wider public in November 2020. Feedback received from stakeholders since the announcement will also be reviewed and discussed.

Sub-national consultation on Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP), Thailand | 19 April 2021

Invitee only

The protection of Human Rights Defenders has been identified as one of the four key priority areas in Thailand’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP). To support the implementation of the NAP, UNDP is conducting a study dedicated to Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, examining past and current cases in all regions of Thailand, while identifying key trends, challenges, and common issues. The sub-national consultation in Bangkok is organized to present preliminary findings of the study and to seek feedback and inputs on the recommendations included.

Launch event for the Business and Human Rights Academy, Thailand | 31 May 2021 (TBC)

Details to be announced soon.

Consultation on Responsible Investment Screening Instrument, Viet Nam | Mid-June 2021 (TBC)
Invitee only

Human Rights Due Diligence Knowledge Exchange, India | June 2021 (TBC)
Invitee only

The event will provide a platform for European and Indian businesses to exchange knowledge and good practices on HRDD processes, and discuss what are the implications of new mandatory HRDD and supply chain laws and plans for Indian businesses, especially the MSME sector. 

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