How is it possible that we simultaneously vehemently oppose, while also support modern slavery? This is because as consumers, we are all implicated in modern slavery. Every supply chain in the
world: food, transportation, clothing, etc., involves slave labour at some
level. We heard this sobering fact at the 8th annual event in the Mary
Robinson Speaker Series on Business & Human Rights in New York City.
The topic was: “Modern
slavery in the Americas: From here to elimination." The keynote speaker, Leonardo Sakamoto,
President, Repórter Brasil (http://reporterbrasil.org.br/), left us with some challenges.
Two business challenge to advocate for are: 1) to collaborate among nations and among sectors to establish
binding international laws that uphold human rights for all. Otherwise, businesses
can continue to shift their production lines from one country to the next in
search of cheap, or even slave labour; 2) to shift the understanding of
corporate responsibility from charitable donations, to address human rights
violations within borders and within companies that operate both nationally and
internationally. Of course, transformation of our personal and communal consumer attitudes and behaviours are key.
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| Leonardo Sakamoto, President, Repórter Brasil |
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| UN/NGO Representatives with Mary Robinson (Centre) |
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