ROUND TABLE 1

Developing Business Responses to Human Trafficking

BACKGROUND NOTE

Over the years, reform processes have widely transformed the economic landscape of India and some other countries of South Asia. However, the benefits of economic growth have not reached different parts of our society in an equitable way. The rural sector, in particular, has not benefited proportionately from this growth and development.

People become victims of trafficking mainly due to poverty and the absence of viable sources of income. Families often have few assets and their incomes are inadequate. We may easily add to this the so-called "push" factors of natural and man-made disasters such as droughts to floods to war and terrorism. In such circumstances, women and children are compelled into contributing towards the family's subsistence. Faced with few options at home, they become vulnerable to trafficking, either straight from home or as they migrate in search of work.

The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has invited the Indian corporate sector to become a partner in making ours a more humane and just society. According to him, " This is part of our cultural heritage. Mahatma Gandhi called it trusteeship." In fact it could be defined within the framework of a corporate philosophy which factors the needs of the community and the regions in which a corporate entity functions. The objective would be to encourage a culture of caring, sharing and belonging. The corporate sector can make an invaluable contribution in preventing trafficking by creating opportunities for livelihoods, supporting organisations which prosecute traffickers and protecting rescued victims.

The rehabilitation of the victims of trafficking is the most crucial step to reintegrate the victim with society. The prevention of re-trafficking would, in large measure, depend on how successful the rehabilitation and reintegration of the victim has been.

It is therefore important to examine the following questions:

  • Are the survivors being provided with appropriate livelihood skills to link them to later productive employment?
  • How can training based on requirements of industries be carried out in homes?
  • How can appropriately trained survivors be employed in jobs that allow for self-sustainability?
  • Can industry be encouraged to invest in locations which are known to be source areas from which victims are "harvested"?
  • Can industry fund projects to support the efforts of law enforcement in addition to their corporate social responsibility actions in the areas of prevention and protection?
  • A discussion between the representatives of industry, NGOs and the Government is vital in this regard.

The industry can collaborate with the Government, NGOs, media, the youth, celebrities and the society at large, to combat trafficking in human beings by using various tools and methods. Different sectors of the industry can develop their own responses to human trafficking. From using the internal newsletters and websites to create awareness amongst their own workforce to employee volunteerism and cause related marketing, the private sector can play an invaluable role in fighting human trafficking.

WORKING GROUP

Objectives
The session is born out of the recognition that any strategy to combat human trafficking needs to involve the private sector with the view to:

  1. Facilitating the exchange of information on trafficking to create a better understanding of the issue.
  2. Catalyzing collaborative initiatives between the UN and the private sector in areas of prevention, protection and prosecution.
  3. Creating linkages and strengthen alliances between the Corporate and NGO sector.
  4. Laying the foundation for a Business Coalition on anti-human trafficking initiatives.

Methodology
The format and topics have been developed in a manner that the corporate sector can identify with and relate to. In terms of the speakers the effort is to have a balanced representation of international speakers/ multi-national corporations (MNCs) and home grown corporations. The focus is on interactive sessions to facilitate a cross fertilisation of ideas.

Chair: To be decided
Moderators: Each session/ section has a moderator
Rapporteur: To be decided

AGENDA : October 10, 2007

Session 1

Understanding Human Trafficking: 2.00 - 2.50 pm (40 minutes)

  • Welcome address by Mr. Jeff Avina, Director of Operations, UNODC: 2.00 - 2.05 pm
  • Introductory remarks by Chair: 2.05 - 2.10 pm
  • 3 P's of Human Trafficking: Prevention, Protection & Protection: 2.10 - 2.25 pm
    Presentation by Mr. Gary Lewis, Representative, UNODC, ROSA
    (The presentation will address the issue of human trafficking, make honest assessments of where the gaps, the lack of resources, the difficulty in framing the issue, the difficulty in bringing corporate players to the table, and the difficulty with media issues. The positive outcomes of NGO-Corporate partnerships will also be highlighted.)
  • Screening of UNODC film on human trafficking: 2.25 - 2.30 pm
  • Interactive session: 2.30 - 2.50 pm

Session 2

Building Marketing Capital: 2.50 pm - 4.00 pm

  • Introductory remarks by Facilitator: 2.50 - 2.55 pm
    Ms. Wenchi Yu Perkins, NY Representative & Human Rights Program Director, Vital Voices
  • The Business of Combating Human Trafficking: 2.55 - 3.10 pm
    Presentation by Ms. Anuradha Tuli, Partner, Price Waterhouse, India
    (About Price Waterhouse: PricewaterhouseCoopers Pvt. Ltd. (PwC) is one of the largest professional services companies in the world, providing industry-focused services to public and private clients. PwC specialists from the Tax and Advisory teams connect their thinking, experience and solutions to build public trust and enhance value for clients and their stakeholders.)
  • Fostering Economic empowerment: 3.10 pm - 3.20 pm
    Presentation by Malini Thadani
    Head Public Affairs & Corporate Responsibility
    HSBC has created Future First, a global initiative to help street children, orphans and children-in-care. This initiative supports projects that help young people come back into the main stream, or prevent them from becoming children of the street.
  • Screening of AV: 3.20 - 3.25 pm
  • Healthcare sector Response to Human Trafficking: 3.25 pm - 3.35 pm
    Introductory remarks by Dr. Vikram Chatwal, CEO, Reliance Health
    (About Reliance Health: Reliance Health is a healthcare company that provides cutting edge and affordable healthcare solutions. In a country where healthcare is fast establishing its credentials, Reliance Health provides services that compare with the best and span Insurance and Health Plan Administration, Health care Delivery and Integrated Health, Health Informatics and Information Management, and Consumer Health.)
  • Interactive session: 3.35 - 4.00 pm

Tea / Networking Break: 4:00 - 4:30pm (30 mins.)

Session 3

Creating Inclusive Growth: 4.30 - 5.20 pm (50 min.)

  • Introductory remarks by Facilitator: 4.30 - 4.35 pm
    Mr. Praphul Misra, CE0, Netcarrots
  • Business with a heart: 4.35 - 4.50 pm
    Presentation by Ms. Lori Forman, Regional Director, Community Affairs, Microsoft & Dr. (Mrs.) Vikas Goswami ,Community Affairs Manager, Microsoft India
    (About Microsoft: Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through software - any time, any place and on any device.)
  • Business Case for CSR: 4.50 - 5.05 pm
    Presentation by Mr. Sanjay Singh, VP, Government Affairs, Tata Steel
    (About Tata Steel: Tata Steel is India's largest integrated private sector steel company. Established in 1907, its steel plant at Jamshedpur produces four million tonne of hot and cold rolled flat and long products. Tata Steel is one of the few Indian companies to be invited to join the UN-sponsored Global Compact. It has also been conferred the prestigious Global Business Coalition Award (GBC) for Business Excellence in the Community in view of its outstanding work in the field of HIV / AIDS awareness.)
  • Screening of AV: 5.05 - 5.07 pm
  • Interactive session: 5.07 - 5.20 pm

Session 4

Bringing Anti-Human Trafficking Initiatives to the Boardroom: 5.20 - 6.00 pm (40 mins.)

  • Introductory remarks by Facilitator: 5.20 - 5.25 pm
    Ms. Asha Kapur, President, Sudler Group
  • Advocating a zero tolerance policy on trafficking: 5.25 - 5.35 pm
    Presentation by Mr. David Arkless, Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, Manpower Inc
    (About Manpower: Manpower Inc is a world leader in the employment services industry; creating and delivering services that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work. The $18 billion company offers employers a range of services for the entire employment and business cycle including permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee assessment and selection; training; outplacement; outsourcing and consulting.)
  • Setting up corporate partnerships to fight against sexual exploitation: 5.35- 5.45pm
    Presentation by Ms. Helene Paillard, Chargé de Mission, ECPAT France
    (About ECPAT: The ECPAT acronym stands for 'End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes'. ECPAT is a network of organisations and individuals working together to eliminate the commercial sexual exploitation of children. It seeks to encourage the world community to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation. ECPAT has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).)
  • Role of women in Economic Empowerment: 5.45 - 6.00 pm
    Presentation by Head-Corporate Social Responsibility, Suzlon Energy Ltd

Session 5

General Round table: GIFT Mergers - Brainstorming session: 6.00 - 6.30 pm (30 min.)

  • Recap of discussions and presentation for the Delhi Declaration

    Participants will identify the most important lessons learnt and build common visions of a sustainable private-public partnership to protect citizens from the abuse and exploitation which trafficking entails.

    Session outcomes and points for the Delhi Declaration, summed up by rapporteur.

Total Time for working Group session: 240 minutes (4 hours excluding tea break)