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The Fund for Peace is an independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) non-profit
research and educational organization that works to prevent violent
conflict and promote sustainable security. We promote sustainable
security through research, training and education, engagement of civil
society, building bridges across diverse sectors, and developing
innovative technologies and tools for policy makers. A leader in the
conflict assessment and early warning field, the Fund for Peace focuses
on the problems of weak and failing states. Our objective is to create
practical tools and approaches for conflict mitigation that are useful to
decision-makers.
Copyright © 2011 The Fund for Peace.
All rights reserved.
This program description is proprietary to The Fund for Peace.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without
prior written consent from The Fund for Peace.
The Fund for Peace Sustainable Development, Sustainable Security
The Fund for Peace Publication FFP : SHRTP1118 (Version 11C)
Circulation: PUBLIC
The Fund for Peace
1720 I Street NW
7th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006
T: +1 202 223 7940
F: +1 202 223 7947
www.fundforpeace.org
2 The Fund for Peace www.fundforpeace.org
Human Rights & Business Roundtable
Overview
Launched in 1997, the Human Rights
and Business Roundtable brings together
multinational businesses, human rights
organizations and other stakeholders to
discuss issues of common concern and
explore possible solutions to problems in
conflict zones in an atmosphere of mutual
respect, trust, and confidentiality.
Today, the Roundtable focuses exclusively on
the extractive industry, although the lessons
learned and case studies of the Roundtable
provide value to all sectors. The Roundtable is
an invaluable resource for corporations and
NGOs to work together to promote sustain-
able development, the rule of law and open
societies.
Guidelines
The overall goal of the Roundtable is to
promote the rule of law and open societies. To
do this we have a common set of principles
and have a sustained dialogue over issues of
common cause and common concern.
Members and guests of the Roundtable must
be able to speak openly, frankly and in
confidence in order to identify ways to work
cooperatively together in the future to
address issues concerning human rights. To
make this possible, the Roundtable is guided
by a few ground rules.
The Roundtable is based on confidentiality.
There is no attribution to individuals or their
organizations of what was said. If we do issue
a report, then only formal presenters will be
attributed and only with their expressed
permission.
Also, participants may have been invited
because of their position and affiliation, but
during the Roundtable views expressed by
participants represent only their personal
views and do not reflect upon their company
or organization, unless otherwise stated by
the individual.
Everything discussed at the Roundtable is
voluntary – for example any proposals
brought forth here are not mandatory in any
way. And, moreover, any issue that is in
litigation will not be discussed. No party to
litigation that involves the companies,
organizations and/or projects participate in
Roundtable Plenary Sessions that relate to
such litigation.
These guidelines will help us find ways to
work together in specific countries and
projects, as well as in general, to promote the
rule of law and open societies.
Introduction & Contents
3 The Fund for Peace www.fundforpeace.org
What Makes the Roundtable Unique 4
Activities & Benefits 5
Participants 7
What People are Saying 8
Beyond the Roundtable 9
About The Fund for Peace 11
• Corruption
• Security Threats
• Forced Labor
The Roundtable is…
Confidential
Now in its fourteenth year, the Roundtable
continues to successfully execute off-the-
record dialogues between human rights,
business, development, and legal experts.
Collaborative
The Roundtable’s agenda is set by and for the
participants. Our activities will constantly
strive to reflect the current interests of our
participants. The Roundtable is an invaluable
resource for corporations and NGOs to work
together to promote sustainable develop-
ment.
Constructive
The Roundtable’s Joint Principles prohibits
“naming and shaming”, allowing our efforts to
focus on joint advocacy, education, and
action. This method builds the internal
corporate social responsibility capacity of
each individual member while providing the
opportunity to make a difference in the global
community.
Cost-efficient
From high profile lawsuits to shareholder
resolutions, companies have recognized that
the cost of inaction is greater than the cost of
action. The Roundtable gives corporate
members a competitive edge by reducing
liabilities, strengthening relationships to
stakeholders, and enhancing brand image.
Together, participants also strategize on how
to work collaboratively to address challenges
and risks associated with operating in
complex environments.
The Roundtable’s activities work to develop
solutions and anticipate future problems on
such issues as
• Revenue Sharing
• Forced Displacement
• Indigenous Rights
4 The Fund for Peace www.fundforpeace.org
Human Rights & Business Roundtable
Why the Roundtable is Unique
Members have unfettered access to
Roundtable Plenary Meetings that bring a
wide network of companies, non-
governmental organizations, government
representatives and international finance
institutions together for education, problem
solving, and action. As stated in the Roundta-
ble’s Joint Statement of Principles, members
enjoy an atmosphere of mutual respect, trust
and confidentiality. The agenda is set by and
for its members in order to address the
concrete issues faced by participating
organizations. Plenary sessions take place
once every two months.
Topics for 2011 are currently being devel-
oped with participants and will likely address
stakeholder engagement, Voluntary Principles
on Security & Human Rights training, building
local capacity for community foundations,
project-level grievance mechanisms,
developing dialogues with public security
forces, and addressing challenges related to
health in isolated environments.
Sidebars
The Roundtable staff is always on call. We are
available to review policies and training
materials, discuss ideas, and help identify
partners. Upon request, special sessions may
be convened on an ad-hoc basis to solicit
input from key stakeholders or to work
through a pressing issue confidentially. The
experience, expertise, and diverse perspec-
tives of the Roundtable help organizations
work through the toughest challenges
presented by economic globalization. Each
corporate Roundtable member can request, at
no additional cost, one Sidebar per year.
Additional Sidebars can be requested for an
additional fee.
Globalization & Human Rights
The Globalization & Human Rights Series
covers issues related to the effects of
globalization that impact the lives of human
beings. Based on open-source research but
applicable to the themes of the Roundtable, it
seeks to inform a wider audience about the
issues discussed within the Roundtable
plenaries and in other similar fora. Currently
in the series are papers on, “Economic Reform
in Weak States: When Good Governance Goes
Bad,” “The Effect of the Kimberley Process on
Governance, Corruption, & Internal Conflict,”
and “The Global Impact of State-Led Energy
Pursuits by China and India.” The series is
available on our website.
Off-Site Expert Sourcing
In addressing human right challenges, the
Roundtable has the resources and networks
available to link its members to the most
relevant and credible experts. The Roundta-
ble’s experts help corporations better resolve
conflicts associated with post, current and
potential investments. Our expertise covers
such issues as governmental corruption,
human rights training, relationships to
5 The Fund for Peace www.fundforpeace.org
Human Rights & Business Roundtable
Activities and Benefits
security forces, consultation and compensa-
tion to indigenous communities, identifying
local and international partners, environ-
mental preservation, and revenue sharing
schemes.
Replication of the Roundtable
The Roundtable has been replicated in
Indonesia, thanks to a partnership with the
Public Health Institute. Focusing on health,
which the Fund for Peace recognizes as an
underlying condition of conflict, the Health &
Business Roundtable Indonesia is already
forging new partnership to help provide
sustainable health to workers and communi-
ties in rural areas of Indonesia. The Roundta-
ble currently has over 100 organizations as
members. Meetings take place in Jakarta once
every three months, although we hope that
the number will increase as well as the ability
to have the Roundtable meetings in other
locations around Indonesia.
Based on this experience as well as our
increased work with local civil society on the
ground, the Fund for Peace is eager to explore
opportunities to create full Roundtables in
other countries on specific issues, such as
health, which can help build local civil society,
relationships between them and the private
sector, and build trust and understanding,
including with government as appropriate.
Corporate Citizen Training
Roundtable membership helps educate
corporations in the behavior and benefits of
being a good corporate citizen. Roundtable
membership allows corporations and human
rights groups to collaborate for preventative
action rather than clash on human rights
issues. The Roundtable can guide corpora-
tions on how to better communicate and work
with the NGO community. The long-lasting
partnerships fostered by the Roundtable
sustain the integrity and fiscal health of
corporations’ current and future investments
while promoting innovative approaches to
sustainable development.
Policy Drafting and Evaluation
The Roundtable works with its members in
developing internal and external policies that
are consistent with today’s expectations of a
socially responsible organization. The
Roundtable can assist in drafting human rights
and other policies as well as in the revision
and evaluation of an organization’s existing
codes. The cooperative participation of
human rights groups in the development of
corporate internal policies and vice versa
gives Roundtable members greater capacity
and credibility.
6 The Fund for Peace www.fundforpeace.org
Activities and Benefits
7 The Fund for Peace www.fundforpeace.org
Human Rights & Business Roundtable
Participants
American Petroleum Institute
Amnesty International
Barrick Gold Corporation
Center for Budget & Policy Priorities
Chevron
CHF International
Citizens for Global Solutions
Coalition for International Justice
ExxonMobil
Freeport-McMoran
Hess Corporation
Human Rights First
International Finance Corporation
Inmet Mining
International Labor Organization
Marathon Oil
National Democratic Institute
Newmont Mining
Pact, Inc.
Partners for Democratic Change
Partnership Africa Canada
International Stability Operations Association
Public Health Institute
Search for Common Ground
Shell Oil
Transparency International
U.S. Agency for International Development
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Department of State
World Bank
International Alert
Groupe OCP
Current Participants
“We look forward to continuing to
develop the relationships and trust we have
established through the Roundtable, and
enthusiastically encourage others to join this
groundbreaking and useful forum.”
Archie W. Dunham
Chairman, President, and CEO, Conoco, Inc.
“The Roundtable provides an opportunity to
get a window into the decision-making
process. We hear about how business
representatives struggle within their own
organizations to raise these kinds of issues;
where the various points of leverage and
power are, as well as the motivations behind
working on these issues. This information is
valuable for both sides to understand each
other better.”
Elisa Massimino
President and CEO, Human Rights First
“The Fund for Peace Human Rights and
Business Roundtable is the only regular
meeting place for corporations, human rights
organizations, and scholars in the U.S.”
Andrés Peñate
Director of International and NGO Affairs, BP
“At this time there is a gap between govern-
ment abuses and human rights efforts to
bridge this gap…and the only way to cross
that bridge is to bring in the corporate
community. I think your Roundtable has
tremendous potential.”
Jimmy Carter,
Fmr. President of the United States
“While we can meet with many of the
Roundtable participants individually -- and
often do -- the unique format of a trusted
environment where ALL of the parties come
together under one roof for candid exchanges
is extremely valuable to this company. The
Roundtable's place in carefully balancing the
views, perspectives, and indeed, agendas of
the various players should not be underesti-
mated or undervalued.”
Stephen Burns
Manager, Corporate Responsibility, Chevron
“The Roundtable has been useful because it
has allowed the participants to set the agenda
rather than coming in with a strong agenda of
its own.”
Mort Winston
Chair, Amnesty International USA
“The Roundtable is a truly significant
endeavor…It has rendered a tremendous
service …many of the Roundtable’s objectives
are fundamental to American foreign policy”.
Paula Dobriansky
Former U.S. Undersecretary of State
for Global Affairs
8 The Fund for Peace www.fundforpeace.org
Human Rights & Business Roundtable
What People Are Saying
The Fund for Peace has long
recognized that companies are an essential
part of creating sustainable societies.
Companies provide infrastructure develop-
ment beyond their immediate operations and
support local economies beyond direct
employment opportunities. When operating
in tense social and political environments,
however, companies can easily be seen as
part of the problem instead of part of the
solution. To operate effectively in areas
lacking strong government institutions and a
respect for the rule of law, companies need
partners.
We have spent more than a decade analyzing
the best practices and lessons learned from
companies and their partners through their
efforts to increase a company’s ability to
operate with the highest standards despite
local obstacles.
Combining that experience, our extensive
global networks, and proprietary software
based on our conflict assessment framework
(CAST), FFP has developed a suite of tools to
help companies operate in the most sensitive
environments. Our tools can assist companies
to navigate through complex situations. By
turning challenges into opportunities,
companies can become known as a good
neighbor in the communities where they
operate and a preferred investor or supplier.
FFP frequently supports companies in their
development of the following activities:
• Human Rights & Security Polices
• Conflict and Human Rights Assessments
• Community Relations and Stakeholder
Engagement
• Monitoring and Reporting Mechanisms
The work of FFP places a heavy emphasis on
implementation. We aim to not only pursue
policy research and dialogue, but to also
follow through with implementation in the
field.
Voluntary Principles on
Security and Human Rights
Initially conceived at a Fund for Peace Human
Rights & Business Roundtable meeting, FFP is
an active participant in the Voluntary
Principles on Security & Human Rights. The
Fund for Peace is proud to be serving on the
9 The Fund for Peace www.fundforpeace.org
Sustainable Development & Security
Beyond the Roundtable
Steering Committee of the Voluntary
Principles for the 2011-12 term.
Through partnerships, we support Voluntary
Principles implementation by companies.
Working with both oil/gas and mining
companies, we have helped draft human
rights policies, created assessment capabili-
ties related to security and human rights,
undertaken conflict and human rights
assessments, and developed human rights
and Voluntary Principles training materials.
In Indonesia, working with local institutions
we have helped develop one of the most
active national working groups to encourage
adoption of the Voluntary Principles in
Indonesia by companies and the Indonesian
government.
In 2010, we produced with our partner,
International Alert, a Guidance Note on
Implementation of the VPs at the National
Level, which is being applied in Indonesia,
Iraq and D.R. Congo.
Health & Business Roundtable
With our partner Public Health Institute, we
have replicated the Roundtable model in
Indonesia to support partnership develop-
ment to increase availability of resources to
improve health. Over 80 companies and NGOs
have joined the Roundtable in Indonesia.
Private Security and
Human Rights
Private contractors, though an important
component of various governments’ defense
and foreign affairs strategies, can negatively
affect local communities, undermine nation-
building and thus national security goals. It is
therefore important that contractors be
properly accountable and overseen.
The purpose of the Private Security and
Human Rights program is to promote better
oversight and accountability of private
security contractors in contingency opera-
tions. By engaging with government, NGOs,
the private sector, and local communities, the
program seeks to better facilitate understand-
ing of and adherence to the International
Code of Conduct for Private Security among
all stakeholders.
10 The Fund for Peace www.fundforpeace.org
Sustainable Development and Sustainable Security
About
The Fund for Peace
The Fund for Peace is
an independent, nonpartisan,
501(c)(3) non-profit research
and educational organization
that works to prevent violent conflict and
promote sustainable security.
We promote sustainable security through
research, training and education, engagement
of civil society, building bridges across
diverse sectors, and developing innovative
technologies and tools for policy makers.
A leader in the conflict assessment and early
warning field, the Fund for Peace focuses on
the problems of weak and failing states. Our
objective is to create practical tools and
approaches for conflict mitigation that are
useful to decision-makers.
The Fund for Peace adopts a holistic approach
to the issues stemming from weak and failing
states. We work at both the
grassroots level with civil
society actors and at policy
levels with key decision
makers. We have worked in over 50 countries
with a wide range of partners in all sectors:
governments, international organizations, the
military, NGOs, academics, journalists, civil
society networks, and the private sector.
The Fund for Peace offers a wide range of
initiatives focused on our central objective: to
promote sustainable security and the ability
of a state to solve its own problems
peacefully without an external military or
administrative presence. Our programs fall
into three primary thematic areas:
• Conflict Early Warning and Assessment;
• Transnational Threats; and
• Sustainable Development, Sustainable
Security.
Conflict Early Warning and Assessment
Transnational Threats
Sustainable Development, Sustainable Security
www.fundforpeace.org
www.fundforpeace.org
The Fund for Peace Sustainable Development, Sustainable Security
FFP : SHRTP1118
Human Rights & Business Roundtable
Principles
1. The participants from both the
business community and the human rights
community commit themselves to work
together to promote global respect for and
observance of the rights and freedoms set
forth in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights.
2. There is a shared recognition that the goals of
the human rights community -- to secure
respect for human rights and to achieve
sustainable development -- and the goals of
the business community – to maximize
shareholder returns and improve the quality
of life through the free market mechanism –
can be complementary and can be mutually
supportive. The protection of human rights
contributes to political stability and reduces
the risk of social unrest, conditions which are
essential to a favorable investment climate. By
the same token, thriving markets are a
precondition for the creation of jobs and
improvement of living standards, and can
contribute to an environment which is
conducive to improved social and political
conditions.
3. The participants from both the business
community and the human rights community
commit themselves to the promotion of the
Rule of Law -- a system of laws applied by an
independent judiciary in a non-arbitrary and
non-discriminatory manner consistent with
international norms and standards. From the
perspective of the business community, the
Rule of Law is essential to the protection of
property, the enforcement of contracts, the
elimination of corruption and the maintenance
of a stable and productive work force. From
the standpoint of the human rights commu-
nity, the Rule of Law is the very foundation
upon which the protection of all human rights
rests.
4. The participants from the two communities
also commit themselves to the promotion of
open societies worldwide and to free access
by all members of the world community to one
another, conditions under which the goals of
each community are most likely to be
advanced.
5. The two communities recognize the growing
economic interdependence among nations.
This interdependence underscores the critical
importance of providing an appropriate level
of resources and authority to the United
Nations and other multilateral institutions
which play a central role in advancing human
rights. Likewise, the role of these institutions
in promoting peace and development
contributes importantly to a favorable
investment climate. These relationships were
recently recognized in the Joint Statement on
Common Interests by the Secretary-General of
the United Nations and International Chamber
of Commerce:
“Efforts by the international community to
promote appropriate policies and good
governance, to strengthen institutions and
infrastructures, to eradicate poverty and to
develop human resources are critical to the
creation of a business-friendly environment …
Business is well aware that it must be a
responsible partner in the social order in which
it operates.”
13 The Fund for Peace www.fundforpeace.org
Joint Statement
6. The participants from the corporate commu-
nity and the participants from the human
rights community commit themselves to the
continuance of dialogue, to the continued
search for common interests, to work together
to advance those goals and principles which
are the subject of this Joint Statement and to
work to explore the possibilities for develop-
ment of a mutually supportive relationship.
Each recognizes that such a relationship will
require a better understanding of the other
community and is likely to require changes in
behavior and in tactics.
(a) The participants from the human rights
community recognize that cooperation with
industry can be an effective means to address
areas of common concern. The participants
from the human rights community also
recognize that there are often limits to a
corporation’s ability to exert political and
social influence and on their authority to do
so; and that corporate management has a
fiduciary obligation to its shareholders to seek
to earn a fair profit. Going forward, the
participants from the human rights community
commit themselves:
(i) To make themselves available to representa-
tives of the business community for dialogue
in respect of the human rights dimensions of
their investments – both actual and potential;
and
(ii) To make information available to representa-
tives of the business community to facilitate
informed decision making where human rights
considerations are present subject to
considerations of confidentiality and the
necessity of protecting sensitive sources.
(b) By the same token, the participants from the
corporate community recognize that there are
fundamental international human rights
standards to which their companies must
adhere to be good international corporate
citizens. They are:
(i) To avoid complicity in governmental human
rights abuses in the countries in which they
operate.
(ii) To uphold and respect human rights in the
corporation’s own practices and sphere of
influence. This includes avoidance of the use
of child or forced labor; promotion of equal
opportunity for employees at all levels
without regard to color, race, gender, age,
ethnicity, religion or national origin; respect
for employee freedom of association and right
to collective bargaining; and provision of a
safe and healthy workplace.
(iii) To make measurable progress toward the
goal of a wage level for all workers which will
provide them and their families with basic
human needs.
(iv) To develop explicit company policies and
procedures to ensure that security arrange-
ments do not contravene international human
rights standards.
(v) To actively engage with the leadership and
voluntary organizations of the communities in
which they operate regarding the impact or
potential impact of company operations on
the enjoyment of universal human rights; and
to use their influence with host governments
to cause the local community to share
appropriately in the benefits realized by the
host government from company operations.
(vi) To afford transparency with respect to
compliance with these standards.
Adopted April, 2001
14 The Fund for Peace www.fundforpeace.org
Principles
15 The Fund for Peace www.fundforpeace.org
ABB, Inc.
AFL-CIO
Akin Gump
American University
Amnesty International
American Petroleum Institute
Asia Foundation
Ashoka
Asia Society
Baruch College/CUNY
BHP Billiton
Boeing Company
BP
Brookings Institution
Business and Conflict Ltd.
Business for Social
Responsibility
Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace
Carter Center
Catholic Relief Services
Center for Budget and Policy
Priorities
Chevron
Coalition for International
Justice
Columbia University
Congressional Executive
Commission on China
ConocoPhillips
Council on Foreign Relations
Development Alternatives Inc.
Embassy of the Republic of Chad
Environmental Defense Fund
ExxonMobil
Fair Labor Association
First Peoples Worldwide
Foley Hoag LLP
Freedom House
Freeport McMoRan
George Washington University
Georgetown University Law
Global Alliance for Worker’s and
Communities
Global Witness
Harvard University
Hess Corporation
Human and Civil Rights
Organizations of America
Human Rights Watch
IFC
Inmet Mining
International Center for
Corporate Accountability
International Human Rights Law
Group
International Peace Academy
International Labor Rights Fund
Jacob Blaustein Institute
Johns Hopkins University
Bloomberg School of Public
Health
Lawyers Committee for Human
Rights
Mattel
Minnesota Advocates for Human
Rights
Missionary Oblates of Mary
Immaculate
Motorola
The National Academy of
Sciences
Newmont Mining
Nike
Occidental Petroleum
Open Society Institute
Oxfam
Pact
Partners for Democratic Change
Phelps Dodge Corporation
Placer Dome
Political and Economic Link
Consulting
Proctor & Gamble
Public Health Institute
Publish What You Pay
Research and Policy Reform
Center
Revenue Watch
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial
Center for Human Rights
Salomon Smith Barney
Shell Oil
Sisterhood is Global
Transparency International
Tufts University, Fletcher School
of Law and Diplomacy
University of Maryland
Unocal
United Nations Development
Program
US AID
United States Environmental
Protection Agency
Uplift International
US-China Business Council
U.S. State Department Bureau of
Democracy, Human Rights and
Labor
United States Institute of Peace
Wofford Consulting
World Bank
World Monitors
Past & Present Participants
Participants