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Pan-African Conference on Human Rights and Business: African Perspectives
Advancing its Human Rights & Business Programme launched in 2011, Africa Legal Aid (AFLA) convenes a series of events starting May 2012, examining the interface between corporate accountability and human rights on the African continent. The programme features a high level Pan-African conference bringing together business leaders, legal experts, civil society representatives, and public officials in Johannesburg, South Africa, 5-6 July 2012.
The academic component of the programme is complemented by an editorial dimension, through the publication of an AFLA Quarterly issue dedicated to Human Rights & Business. A set of best practice guidelines in regard to the topic will also be published. A network will be established amongst businesses, civil society and public administration to further the aims of the programme. In its vision to engage young people in shaping Africa’s human rights agenda, Africa Legal Aid organizes a series of youth side events including an essay competition, a documentary screening and a debate on human rights and corporate social responsibility.
Africa Legal Aid is an influential pan-African entity working to promote accountability and end impunity for gross human rights violations. AFLA provides leadership and support to various human rights and justice sectors in Africa. Through its cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), and other key international, regional, and national bodies, AFLA has spearheaded contribution of much needed African perspectives to the evolving regime of international justice. Over the years AFLA has created an impressive network of human rights and justice advocates, gender advocates, scholars, judges of national and international courts, policy makers, and opinion leaders. These have become loyal supporters of AFLA and its objectives.
AFLA is expanding its human rights and justice expertise into the area of Human Rights and Business, because Human Rights are Good for Business, if not in the short term, definitely in the long term. Our interest in human rights and business stems from our conviction that economic and social rights, and civil and political rights are two sides of the same coin. Hence, we would like to initiate a dialogue on African perspectives on human rights and business and devise a resulting framework emphasizing those issues of special resonance for Africa. All across Africa, there is growing awareness about the need for civil society groups, particularly those working on human rights and the rule of law, to engage not only governments but also the business community in efforts to give recognition and effect to human rights protection. A favorable legal and human rights environment contributes to long term economic gains for enterprises and as a consequence, to economic progress in Africa.
The conference will feature H.E. Mrs. Graca Machal as the keynote speaker and will cover themes such as
- the South-North aspects of human rights and business;
- corporate social responsibility vs. corporate criminal responsibility;
- African perspectives on the business of human trafficking;
- exploration of human rights &
- business best practices;
- incorporating gender perspectives.
Date: 5 - 6 July 2012
Venue: Webber Wentzel Auditorium, 10 Fricker Road, Illovo Boulevard, Johannesburg
RSVP: Please download and complete the registration form on the right-hand side
Costs: ZAR1,000 for the two-day conference; ZAR1,500 for the two-day conference plus the fundraising dinner; ZAR1,000 for the fund-raising dinner only
For full details including a programme and registration forms, please click the links on the right.
