Local Expert Network

Through this programme around 40 – 50 risk assessment experts from sourcing countries of the Dutch agri-food sector in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America will be trained. The participants will become part of a risk assessment experts pool. The data they collect on prevalent Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) risks will be incorporated in a database, accessible to all parties involved in the Agreement. This will allow companies to carry out their due diligence in the most upstream part of their supply chains, giving them significant local insight in the HRDD risks they are involved in or linked to.

Purpose

With these regional training courses, the Agreement offers local organisations and companies the opportunity to become more familiar with the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct. It is of great value when people in production countries are acquainted with HRDD. Not only do they have knowledge of local culture and customs and the ability to meaningfully engage stakeholders, they are also in a good position to identify, monitor and develop plans to prevent or mitigate risks.

Training

The training will be organised in four regions (West Africa, East Africa, Asia and Latin America) and aims to strengthen participant’s HRDD risks assessment research and reporting skills.

In 3 or 4 days participants will deepen their understanding of conducting risk assessments in agri-food supply chains and the frameworks and tools available. By using practical exercises and cases, participants will strengthen their research and analysis skills. At the end of the training participants will be able to write a risk assessment report. If possible, we will add a one-day field trip. This depends on COVID restrictions and may differ per location.

Dates, locations and registrations

All training courses in Latin America, Asia, West Africa/MENA and East Africa have taken place. Is your organisation looking for an expert to carry out an in-depth risk analysis in one of these regions? Please contact us at internationalrbc-agreements@ser.nl.

Preparation and participation process

Assignments are an integral part of the training and the training preparation. This includes, among others, following the English-spoken webinars (online or by viewing the recordings) and working on a case during the training.

A selection process may be part of the participation procedure related to the number, profile and location of applicants. A maximum of 12 participants per training is considered. Participation in a training course outside your region of residency will need to be discussed and accepted by the facilitators beforehand. Participants that successfully participate in the training will receive a certificate of participation.

Participant profile

The training courses will be hands-on training to deepen your HRDD risk assessment skills. Therefore, it is important that participants already have some expertise on the topic of human rights and environmental risks in agri-food supply chains and some research experience. A good command of the English language is preferred.

Besides, the participants should be able to travel to the country of the training in line with COVID-19 travel restrictions (at the moment of applying and travel) and be able to fully dedicate time to the training, its preparation and assignments.

Costs

Participation in the face-to-face training sessions is free of charge. This includes the costs of the training, travel and lodging costs of the participants, which will be compensated for by the IRBC subsidies.

Other costs are to be covered by the participants themselves. Participants are responsible for their own necessary visa applications, acknowledging the processing times. This also applies to preparatory travel requirements related to COVID-19 (e.g., PCR test).

Webinars

The webinars are meant as an introduction to Human Rights Due Diligence and some of the main risks involved. The webinars are facilitated by the trade unions CNV International and FNV, and the NGOs Cordaid and Global March against Child Labour. Recordings of the webinars will be made available shortly. It is already possible to download the PowerPoint slides.

1. An introduction to Human Rights Due Diligence in agri-food supply chains
   This webinar offers you an introduction to OECD guidelines and necessary steps for company Human Rights Due Diligence. What is the responsibility of a company for the human rights related risks in its supply chains? And what kind of risks and adverse impacts need to be addressed?
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2. Labor Conditions risks in agri-food supply chains
   This webinar offers you a better understanding on key risks in agri-food supply chains related to labor conditions of those involved. What are key risks? And how to detect these in a Human Rights Due Diligence risk assessments? And most importantly: how to address them.
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3. Living Income and Living Wage in agri-food supply chains
   This webinar provides you an introduction to the concepts of living income and living wage. That is: an income or wage that provides households at least a basic, decent livelihood. How to define what a living income or wage is? And then also: how to identify the gap with the current income or wage of the farmers and laborers involved. And to work towards a Living Income and Living Wage.
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4. Child labor and forced labor in agri-food supply chains
   This webinar provides you an introduction to child labor and forced labor in agri-food supply chains. When is labor considered child labor or forced labor? How to detect it? And most importantly: how to diminish it.
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   Download presentation Rainforest Allianc




5. Environmental risks in agri-food supply chains
   This webinar provides you an introduction to the key environmental risks you may encounter in a Human Rights Due Diligence risk assessment. What is the responsibility of a company? And how to mitigate these risks?
   Download presentation

• Due Diligence Legislation - morning session
  Webinar organized for the Experts from the Local Expert Network on the upcoming IRBC due diligence regulation in Europe, including the Netherlands. The webinar zooms in on the consequences for various stakeholders and the role the experts could play in assisting and guiding companies in adhering to these regulations.
  
  


• Due Diligence Legislation - afternoon session
  Webinar organized for the Experts from the Local Expert Network on the upcoming IRBC due diligence regulation in Europe, including the Netherlands. The webinar zooms in on the consequences for various stakeholders and the role the experts could play in assisting and guiding companies in adhering to these regulations.
  
  


• Access to Remedy - morning session
  Webinar organized for the Experts from the Local Expert Network on Access to Remedy and how to get into dialogue with stakeholders in a meaningful way.
  
  


• Access to Remedy - afternoon session
  Webinar organized for the Experts from the Local Expert Network on Access to Remedy and how to get into dialogue with stakeholders in a meaningful way.