The socio-economic consequences of COVID-19 have thrown into sharp relief the need for comprehensive action to strengthen responsible business conduct and reduce vulnerabilities of workers and their families. Children deserve particular attention as progress in the field of combatting child labor and promoting children’s rights risk to be reverted under the pressure of the global economic and social shocks.

The EU can and should play a leading role in defining rules and practices of ‘building back better’. The German EU Council Presidency is committed to advancing an EU action plan on responsible business conduct to strengthen human rights, social and environmental standards, and transparency in global supply chains. Such a coherent and forward-looking policy strategy should reflect on EU level the “smart-mix”-approach outlined by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and should include ambitious policy and legislative measures to address business impact on children’s rights and ensure their protection.

The event on 2 September will contribute to this process by discussing the importance of responsible business practices to improve the situation of children worldwide. The session will feature insights and practical examples of adverse impacts on children, their root causes and key considerations to improve the situation through holistic government and business approaches.

Prior registration for participants is required.

Please send a short e-mail to 401-s@diplo.de (Ms. Koch) indicating your name and affiliation by 28 August 2020.