রূপগঞ্জে সাংবাদিকের বাড়িতে হামলা ভাংচুর লুটপাট ॥ মা-ভাই আহত
Public Relations Office Press Release
North South University and UNICEF are commemorating a decade of Child
Rights and Business Principles by organizing a national symposium in
collaboration with UN Global Compact and Save the Children
The symposium aims to initiate dialogue on
the integration of children's rights in business practices for the next decade.
Dhaka, February 1, 2023:A decade ago, the UN Global Compact, UNICEF, and Save the Children
developed the Child Rights and Business Principles (CRBP), a voluntary
framework for businesses. This framework was the first tool to clearly outline
corporate responsibility to respect children's rights in the workplace,
marketplace, community, and environment.
The CRBPs provide guidelines for companies to minimize negative impacts
on children and maximize the positive effects that their activities and
business relationships may have on children and young people. Central to
addressing global challenges is putting children's rights at the forefront of
sustainability and responsible business conduct. Despite progress in the
business world over the last decade in integrating children's rights, there is
still a long way to go.
The symposium, held at the Syndicate Hall of North South University
(NSU), brought together key stakeholders and duty bearers from the business
ecosystem in Bangladesh to share and deliberate on how the framework of Child
Rights and Business Principles can improve key child rights indicators in the
country and mitigate the impact of businesses on children and their
communities.
In her pre-recorded speech during the inaugural session, Begum
MonnujanSufian, MP, Honorable State Minister of Labor and Employment, noted
that the framework of Child Rights and Business Principles could mitigate the
adverse impact of businesses on children and their communities.
UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, Mr. Sheldon Yett, stated,
“Businesses, investors, and governments have the power to turn promising
developments into routine practice. A commitment to children can support
employees who are parents and caregivers, promote youth employment, and ensure
the next generation has the skills needed for business prosperity.”
The Vice-Chancellor of North South University, Prof. Atiqul Islamsaid,
“Children are the most vulnerable members of our society and we must work
together to protect them.”
Ambassador and Head of Delegation, EU Delegation in Bangladesh, H.E. Mr.
Charles Whiteley, noted, “Business plays a crucial role in addressing poverty,
exploitation, and discrimination faced by children.”
The symposium was also attended by H.E. Mr. Robert Chatterton Dickson,
High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Bangladesh, H.E. Ms. Alexandra Berg
von Linde, Ambassador of Sweden in Bangladesh, Prof. Dr. M. Ismail Hossain,
Pro-Vice-Chancellor & Treasurer (in-charge), NSU and high-level
representatives from the Ministries of Labor and Employment, Women and Children
Affairs, and Foreign Affairs, as well as from private sector companies
Unilever, Grameenphone, PRAN-RFL Group, DBL Group, and Bangladesh Tea
Association.
The symposium also celebrated the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding between NSU and UNICEF Bangladesh, establishing a national
'knowledge hub' for child rights and business in the country. The MoU aims to
undertake joint activities in informing policy debate, incubation and
networking, knowledge management, and capacity development. North South
University's course curricula will embed child rights and business aspects and
case studies, and will be used to provide on-job e-learning courses. The
knowledge hub will disseminate policy briefs and other research-based knowledge
products and facilitate exchanges on 'good' practices and learnings.
