“But let justice roll-on like a river”*

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Languages: ES / EN (interpretation provided) 

BACKGROUND

The possible negative impacts of corporate activities on our human family and Common Home have been amongst long-standing concerns of faith communities and recently, they have also featured on the agenda of decision-makers, often in reaction to calls from social movements and affected local communities. Communities in Latin America have been particularly affected. The collapse of the Brumadinho dam in 2019 highlighted the plight of communities left alone to face the consequences of lethal negligence by corporations. Communities affected by mining are increasingly under pressure as the search for raw materials crucial for the energy transition intensifies extractive activities.  

In February this year, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a Directive (the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence, CSDD) that would introduce, for large companies operating in the EU, an obligation to prevent and cease damages to human rights and the environment they might have caused or contributed to throughout their value chains. At the same, talks in Geneva are ongoing for the adoption of a legally binding instrument on business and human rights.  

This event will serve to discuss current policy initiatives in the field, while connecting them to the experiences of local communities, faith-leaders and policy-makers.  

PROGRAMME

Moderation : Josianne Gauthier, Secretary-General, CIDSE  

4.30–4.35  Introduction to the event by the Moderator
4.35–4.45  Opening remarks by H.Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of COMECE 

BLOCK 1: Experiences from Brumadinho
4.45–5.05  A conversation with Bishop Vicente de Paula Ferreira, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte and member of the Special Episcopal Commission of Integral Ecology and Mining of the Brasilian National Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CNBB) (Brazil) and Juan Carlos Osorio Arenas, Director of the Social Pastoral, Diocesis of Caldas (Colombia)

BLOCK 2: How is the European Union responding to the risk of negative impacts of corporate activities?
5.05–5.20  A conversation with Javier Martín Cerracin, Policy Officer, Human Rights, European External Action Service

BLOCK 3: Can an EU/ international law make a difference?
5.20–5.40  A conversation with Constanza del Pilar Carvajal Vargas, Lawyer, member of the collective Rios y Reconciliación and of the Territorio y Vida (Territory and Life) (Colombia) and Pedro Landa,  member of the impulse group of Iglesias y Minería, ecologist from Tegucigalpa (Honduras)

5.40–5.55  Q&A with the audience  

5.55–6.00  Final remarks and wrap up  

 

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* (Amos 5:24)

  This event is co-founded by the European Union.  The contents are the sole responsibility of the organisers and the speakers and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.