Date of Presentation THE CHILDREN’S RIGHTS AND BUSINESS PRINCIPLES © UNICEF/NYHQ /OLIVIER ASSELIN

Background Children’s rights are an essential investment in our sustainable future. Safeguarding these rights helps build the strong, well-educated communities that are vital to creating a sustainable, inclusive and productive business environment A business that integrates respect and support for children into its strategy and operations generates benefits for children and society, and can generate real benefits for business Positive action for children’s rights can: Build reputations Improve risk management Enhance the social license to operate – including gaining and maintaining the support of the people who live and work where the business is conducted

Overview The Children’s Rights and Business Principles are ten principles that call on business everywhere to respect and support children’s rights throughout their activities and business relationships They identify actions that all business should take and are encouraged to maximize the positive impacts and minimize the negative ramifications that their activities may have on children The Principles are the result of an international multi- stakeholder consultation process in 2011, involving children, businesses, investors, trade unions, civil society, governments, academics, and UN entities “Sustainability is most fundamentally about making the world a better place for the next generation. These Principles are therefore at the very heart of sustainability.” – Charlotte Ersbøll, Novo Nordisk

Basis of Legitimacy International Law Convention on the Rights of the Child ILO Conventions on Child Labour Soft Law UN Global Compact Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights  Built on existing standards, initiatives and best practices

The Children’s Rights and Business Principles “The Children’s Rights and Business Principles are an important effort to explore the implications of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights for the human rights of children. Children are among the most marginalized and vulnerable members of society, and can be disproportionately, severely and permanently impacted by business activities and relationships.” – Prof. John Ruggie, former UN Secretary-General Special Representative for Business and Human Rights

Core of the Principles The UN Global Compact asks businesses to support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights Respect – don’t cause harm (the minimum) Support – make a positive contribution (desirable, encouraged) The Children’s Principles elaborate on what this means as regards Children’s Rights “Children are one third of the population today, but children are 100% of our future customer base, employees.” - Richard Gillies, Marks and Spencer

Structure

responsibility to RESPECT commitment to SUPPORT Principle 1 – The Umbrella and Foundation 1 – Businesses should meet their responsibility to RESPECT children’s rights and commit to SUPPORTING the human rights of children

Principles 2, 3, 4 - THE WORKPLACE Businesses should… 2 - … contribute to the elimination of CHILD LABOUR, including in all business activities and business relationships 3 - … provide decent work for YOUNG WORKERS, PARENTS and CAREGIVERS 4 - … ensure the PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN in all business activities and facilities

Principles 5, 6, 7 - THE MARKETPLACE Businesses should… 5 - … Ensure that PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ARE SAFE and seek to support children’s rights through them 6 - … use MARKETING AND ADVERTISING that respect and support children’s rights

Principles 8, 9, 10 - THE COMMUNITY Businesses should… 7 – … respect and support children’s rights in relation to the ENVIRONMENT AND TO LAND acquisition and use 8 – … respect and support children’s rights in SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS 9 – … help protect children affected by EMERGENCIES 10 – … reinforce COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT EFFORTS to protect and fulfil children’s rights

Business Examples Royal Van Zanten Children’s center RVZ is one of Uganda’s flower farms. It was the first farm to introduce and establish a fully equipped child care center for staff who had babies. This tremendously addressed the issue of staff absenteeism but there was as well as increased productivity because the mothers felt that the business cared about them and the welfare of their young children. Aviva: Championing the Rights of street kids Aviva is forming partnerships with leading charities and experts whose work focuses on meeting the needs of children living and working on the streets. Aviva’s Street to School program supports initiatives that help and encourage these children back into school or training. The company’s goal is to help at least half a million street children by In the future, Aviva seeks to take these initiatives closer to its core business. The New Vision Group: NiE for children New vision group has the NiE where they develop education material for pupils,.At the end of the day they make their money but also distribute important material which is key to the Workplace Marketplace Community

Examples of Engagement Opportunities Use the principles for awareness raising and as guidance to assess impacts Engage in country level activity: Already nearly 40 national releases by local partners across the world following global launch in March 2012 Share company experiences and good practices Report on progress Public commitment to the Principles in your company policy

Resources Website: UNICEF, UN Global Compact & Save the Children: Children’s Rights and Business Principles Children’s Rights and Business Principles in Context UN Global Compact – Good Practices per PrincipleGood Practices per Principle UNICEF: Children are Everyone's Business: Workbook 2.0 Implementation Handbook for the Convention on the Rights of the Child Implementation Handbook for the Convention on the Rights of the Child Children’s Rights and Sustainability Reporting Children’s Rights in Impact Assessment UNICEF and Save the Children - Children’s Rights in Policies and Codes of ConductChildren’s Rights in Policies and Codes of Conduct ILO - Eliminating Child Labour Guides for EmployersEliminating Child Labour Guides for Employers

Contact UN Global Compact Anita Househam UNICEF Subajini Save the Children Mattias Forsberg