JICA conducted the first issue-specific training in the field of business and human rights for administrators and judges in developing countries who are responsible for formulating and implementing national human rights policies.
The UN Principles for Action on Business and Human Rights require states to fulfill their obligations to protect human rights in order to promote business that respects human rights. In line with the Principles, this training was conducted to share good practices and issues related to business and human rights policies and their implementation, and to help countries protect human rights.
Fieldwork in Minamata City Hybrid Lecture by OECD
The training was led by course leader Miwa Yamada, Director of the Center for Frontier Research, Institute of Developing Economies, JETRO, as well as by the Japanese government (Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), Keidanren and corporations, and civil society (Business and Human Rights Loyalists Network, General Support Union of Individual Affiliated Unions, JP-MIRAI).
Eight government officials and judges from seven countries commented that they learned the importance of inter-ministerial consultations and stakeholder consultations in Japan, as well as the need for initial action by the government, leadership by top corporate executives, and education to eliminate discrimination against victims. In particular, some of the participants commented that the visit to Minamata City left a strong impression on them, as they learned about the social structure behind Minamata disease and heard directly from various stakeholders in government, business, and civil society. On the other hand, the lecturers from the Japanese side also commented that the information on the various efforts of each participating country was useful, providing an opportunity for interactive exchange of information.
The training also provided information on international initiatives with the cooperation of international organizations such as the ILO Office in Japan (Memorandum of Understanding between JICA and the ILO Office in Japan on Business and Human Rights), UNDP, and OECD (Tokyo Center, Center for Responsible Corporate Behavior). The lecture with the OECD on the national contact system based on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises was the first case of collaboration in the field of business and human rights.
group photo
JICA will continue to contribute to the improvement of sustainable business environments and international supply chains by enhancing the capacity of developing country governments to protect human rights. JICA will continue to contribute to the improvement of sustainable business environments and international supply chains by enhancing the human rights protection capacity of developing country governments.
Training Outline
Training Course Title: Business and Human Rights
Training period: January 14, 2024 – January 27, 2024
Participating countries: 7 countries (Cambodia, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Mexico, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand)
Number of participants: 8 (National Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, judges, etc.)
(The meeting is scheduled to be held around November in FY2024)
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