UN Global Compact Leaders Summit | SDG16 at the Intersection of Anti-Corruption and Human Rights

Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – includes the target to substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms. The interconnectedness of corruption and human rights issues has increased in visibility during the pandemic, with opaque supply chains heightening the risk of human rights abuses and corruption.  As such, there is growing momentum, internationally, from business and institutions to acknowledge the intersections between anti-corruption and human rights movements and to embed human rights in anti-corruption efforts.

 

This session explores how human rights and corruption are mutually reinforcing and need to be addressed in parallel to enable businesses to act responsibly and assist with achieving SDG16. Speakers will go beyond a theoretical and moral discussion to look at how human rights and anti-corruption can be addressed collectively and in a practical manner. The discussion will centre on how businesses can effectively align their work across these practice areas, including the types of skill sets and tools that support the breaking down of silos within a business. Speakers will identify practical actions business leaders can take to ensure that companies understand the mutually reinforcing nature of these two issues with a view to reducing corruption risks and, in turn, uphold the rights of workers, communities and other stakeholders.

Speakers:

Serena Lillywhite, Chief Executive Officer, Transparency International Australia

Rachel Nicolson, Partner – Disputes and Investigations, Allens (Facilitator)

Willem Punt, Bribery and Corruption Lead, ANZ

Vanessa Zimmerman, Director and Chair, Business and Human Rights, Global Compact Network Australia