Conference on Risk, Responsibility and Human Rights

Risk, Responsibility and Human Rights: Assessing the Human Rights Impacts of Trade and Project Finance

Panel discussion and expert meeting

Ottawa, Ontario

May 3-4, 2004

In an effort to address the lack of dialogue around the issue of human rights and trade and project financing, and acknowledging the increasing pressure for corporations, ECAs and other public international financial institutions (PIFIs) to take human rights into account, the NGO Working Group on Export Development Canada (WG), in collaboration with Rights & Democracy (formerly ICHRDD), organized a meeting in Ottawa on May 3rd and 4th, 2004 to discuss how the human rights impacts of trade and project finance can be assessed.

This conference builds on previous discussions amongst civil society on this issue. The May 2004 workshop will build on those initial meetings, bringing together experts from government (including EDC), academia and civil society to explore the challenges and opportunities for developing a Human Rights Impact Assessment.

• Final discussion paper (pdf - 418 k)
• Bios of speakers and moderators (pdf)
• Final Report (word - 750k) (pdf - 428k) (including agenda and list of participants)

Papers and powerpoint presentations:

• Joan Kuyek, MiningWatch Canada
• Christina Schultz, Human Rights and Business Project, Danish Institute for Human Rights
• Nick Killick, Business and Conflict Program, International Alert
• Audrey Macklin, University of Toronto