Seminar: Menneskerettigheder og globale offentlige goder

TID: Torsdag den 20. november kl. 14.00-16.00
STED: DIIS auditorium, Gl. Kalkbrænderi Vej 51A, 2100 København

TID: Torsdag den 20. november kl. 14.00-16.00
STED: DIIS auditorium, Gl. Kalkbrænderi Vej 51A, 2100 København
TILMELDING: Senest den 19. november kl. 12.00 på https://conferencemanager.events/MultistakeholderInitiativesHumanRightsandGlobalPublicGoods/sign-up.html

Multi-stakeholder Initiatives: Human Rights and Global Public Goods

International cooperation is challenged in many ways. Increasing severity of global crises (such as climate change, financial break-down, epidemics, refugees, rising food prices, etc.) beckons intensified cooperation. Global power is distributed in new ways, with emerging powers and non-state actors playing an ever more influential role. These developments call into question the legitimacy and effectiveness of existing international institutions for cooperation. And short-term political interests undermine the ability of contemporary institutions to provide effective long-term global solutions. The international community’s handling of climate change is a case in point.

Over recent decades, one of the responses to this situation has emerged in the form of multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs). The participants in these initiatives often cut across the private, public and non-governmental sectors, and the initiatives typically focus on solving a specific, well-defined problem. MSIs have been described as hybrid, privatized and partnership-oriented international attempts to cooperate, and they come in many different forms and increasing numbers. Some are resource-demanding service providing partnerships, while others focus on knowledge transfer and standard setting. The following are but some examples: UN Global Compact, UN Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, CCAC Oil and Gas Methane Partnership, Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) and the Marine Stewardship Council.

This seminar will discuss multi-stakeholder initiatives, focusing in particular on those that seek to advance respect for human rights and the creation of global public goods. Human rights have become central in Danish development policies, but they are often the object of heated debates at the international level. Global public goods are in everybody’s interest, but few want to contribute to their creation. What potential do multi-stakeholder initiatives hold in relation to these two fields? What are their strengths and weaknesses? And are they effective and legitimate?

Speakers

Scott Jerbi, Senior Advisor, Institute for Human Rights and Business

Poul Engberg-Pedersen, former Deputy Director General, IUCN

Nanna Hvidt, Director, DIIS

Programme

14.00-14.05

Introduction

Nanna Hvidt, Director, DIIS

14.05-14.35

MSIs and Human Rights

Scott Jerbi, Senior Advisor, Institute for Human Rights and Business

14.35-14.55

MSIs and Global Public Goods

Poul Engberg-Pedersen, former Deputy Director General, IUCN

14.55-15.10

Coffee Break

15.10-16.00

Open Discussion

 

Practical information

The seminar will be in English.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required.