Two online workshops for communities and their allies

Are you a worker, environmental and human rights defender, or campaigner searching for the right path to prevent and remedy harm to people and the planet? Please join a practical online workshop to learn about three key complaint systems and the strategies and resources to use them effectively. 

Registration: 

The workshop will be held twice to cover different timezones (you only need to attend one) 

Workshop 1 Asia Pacific/East Africa time zone: February 25 6:00 – 7:30 UTC (Check local time)

Workshop 2 West Africa/Americas time zone: February 26 15:00 - 16:30 UTC (Check local time)

Register here: https://bit.ly/SeekingRemedyWorkshop (select your preferred time) 

Languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and other languages if needed

Each workshop will include a presentation by impacted communities and/or their local representatives of a recent case example pursued through one of three complaint systems: the National Contact Points under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, the Independent Accountability Mechanisms of Development Finance Institutions, and the complaint channels of private commercial banks. 

Partners Accountability Counsel, BankTrack, and OECD Watch will introduce key comparisons, tools, and strategies to use these three types of mechanisms effectively including introducing (and re-introducing) key resources for defenders:

• Accountability Counsel’s new Accountability Toolkit: a one-stop platform with tools and resources for defenders and their allies to stop harm, seek remedy, and strengthen accountability in internationally-financed projects
• BankTrack’s new Users’ Guide to commercial bank human rights complaint channels

• OECD Watch’s Complaints Guide and NCP Evaluations to understand and navigate the OECD Guidelines complaint system and the National Contact Points.

Guest speakers will provide real-life examples, as well as practical lessons from the following cases: 

• Cambodia - using the Australian National Contact Point to seek remedy for land rights violations and other impacts caused by a sugar company with Australian bank investment.
• Bolivia - using the Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism of the Inter-American Development Bank to protect Indigenous land rights.

Moderation will be provided by UN Working Group member Pichamon Yeophantong (Asia Pacific/East Africa timezone) and regional experts (West Africa/Americas timezone)

Accountability Counsel, BankTrack and OECD Watch are working together to help workers, environmental and human rights defenders, and campaigners navigate using non-judicial mechanisms strategically within the complex landscape of accountability and remedy for corporate harms. 

These workshops are exclusively for civil society participants (workers, defenders, and their allies). Those less (or not at all) familiar with these mechanisms are particularly encouraged to join!