Externado to Host the VII Regional Forum of the United Nations on Companies and Human Rights in the Caribbean and Latin America
Universidad Externado de Colombia invites all who are interested to participate in this event that will be held on 13, 14 and 15 July 2022. The central theme is to improve accountability for more responsible business conduct.
The VII Forum is organised by the following institutions: The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Working Group on Traditional Business and Human Rights, with the support of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Labour Organisation, and the European Union within the framework of the CERALC project. The Colombian Foreign Ministry, the Presidential Council for Human Rights and International Affairs, the Ombudsman’s Office and Universidad Externado de Colombia are also involved.
The Regional Forum provides a unique space for dialogue among the participating States, business, civil society, and the affected groups – including indigenous communities – labour organisations, and regional and international organisations. Together, they will address the central objective of the forum, which is to improve accountability to promote more responsible business activity. Likewise, to review the trends, challenges, and good practices in preventing, and addressing the impact on human rights related to business in Latin American and the Caribbean.
Juan Carlos Monge, Deputy Representative of the Office of the High Commissioner of the United Nations for Human Rights in Colombia recognised the long-standing relationship between the Externado, the Latin American Observatory in Human Rights and Business of the Constitutional Law Department, and the United Nations. He highlighted the role that the University assumed in organising the preparatory forums and hosting this important event.
Regarding the expectations, Monge affirmed that the forum offers an opportunity for Colombia to show to other countries, in the Latin American and Caribbean region, its progress and the challenges that remain for business and human rights in the implementation of the guiding principles of the United Nations.
“It is also an opportunity for the other countries to talk about their experiences, and the many challenges that often turn out to be commonly shared,” commented Monge.
This invitation to participate in the event is being extended to all interested parties. It will be a great opportunity for the different sectors involved in these fields of work to come together and discuss the progress, challenges and measures that should be adopted to move forward and make these principles a reality.