Human Rights in Business

Human Rights in Business Best Practices Conference Held

The “Capacity Development Program for Human Rights in Business” held by Mikado Sustainable Development Consultancy and Sabancı University with the support of the Consulate of the Netherlands’ Human Rights Fund concluded.  Best practices implemented by companies during the program were presented at the Human Rights in Business Best Practices Conference held on September 25, 2013 at Minerva Palas, Karaköy

The Human Rights in Business Best Practices Conference, the final phase of the Capacity Development Program for Human Rights in Business to increase awareness of human rights in the business world, encourage best practices and drive change, took place on September 25, 2013 at Minerva Palas, Karaköy.

Companies which took part in the program to benefit from the guidance offered by Mikado Sustainable Development Consultancy and Sabancı University Gender Forum to implement best practices in human rights within their organization shared their practices in the conference. 

The conference began with introductory remarks by Hester Jonkman, Deputy Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Serra Titiz of Mikado Sustainable Development Consultancy; and Ayşe Yüksel, Sabancı University Gender Forum Purple Certificate Project Coordinator.

Introductory remarks were followed by the first panel discussion moderated by Serra Titiz with speakers Başak Atalay of the Anadolu Group; Bedriye Hülya, founder of B-fit; and Aysun Sayın, Assistant General Manager of Boyner Holding.

Speakers in the second panel discussion, moderated by Olcay Özer of the Sabancı University Gender Forum, were Dilek Mete from Bilim İlaç and Sibel Kocaoğlu from Roche Turkey.  Guest speaker Buket Şirik from the British Council made a presentation on the Equal Opportunity and Diversity project. 

At the end of the conference, participants received copies of the Best Practices Booklet containing case studies of best practices implemented within the Capacity Development Program for Human Rights in Business.

About the Capacity Development Program for Human Rights in Business

The Capacity Development Program for Human Rights in Business held by Mikado Sustainable Development Consultancy and Sabancı University with the support of the Consulate of the Netherlands’ Human Rights Fund aimed at increasing awareness of human rights, encouraging best practices and driving change in the private sector.

The Program consisted of four stages:

Human Rights in Business Trainings

Two “Human Rights and Business” free two-day training sessions were held in Istanbul in October 2012 and January 2013 with the participation of 29 trainees representing 16 companies.  Roadmaps were shared with participants for developing human rights strategies within their companies.

In addition to class-based trainings, three videoconferences were held, which were open to all employees and supply chains of participating companies. 

Implementation Guidance

Companies which took part in the Human Rights and Business trainings and wished to implement the Human Rights Roadmap within their organizations received free implementation guidance for 6 months.  Five of the 16 companies taking part in the program received guidance.

Human Rights in Business Best Practices Conference and Booklet

In the last phase of the project, the Best Practices Conference was held on September 25, 2013 with all interested stakeholders.  A Best Practices Booklet containing details of the process and best practices implemented by the companies taking guidance was printed and made publicly available.

Capacity Development Program for Human Rights in Business website: www.haklimisiniz.org