Managing Congo’s resource wealth – from plunder to shared prosperity?

Please join us for the 5th annual event in our Mary Robinson Speaker Series on Business & Human Rights:

“Managing Congo’s resource wealth – from plunder to shared prosperity?”

Keynote speaker: Emmanuel Umpula Nkumba

Executive Director, African Resources Watch (AFREWATCH)

Democratic Republic of Congo

Featuring: Mary Robinson

Followed by a panel discussion with Holly Dranginis, Enough Project; Aliou Diouf, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre; Michael Loch, Motorola Solutions; Patrick Alley, Global Witness, and others

Democratic Republic of Congo has vast natural resource wealth. Yet historically and still today, the extraction of these resources too often fuels conflict, widespread dispossession of people from their land, forced and child labour, and pollution that harms people’s health.

Can firms involved in Congo avoid human rights abuses, and help ensure that the benefits of its natural resources reach all of Congo’s people? This will require a joint effort by civil society, business, and governments alike. Laws such as the US Dodd-Frank Act provisions on conflict minerals and revenue transparency, and initiatives by technology firms to source minerals responsibly, are among the many tools that can help turn the tide. This event will bring perspectives from Congo and elsewhere to highlight business’ impacts on people’s lives in the country, and explore practical ways to advance human rights.

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Mary Robinson will introduce Emmanuel Umpula Nkumba. Based in Katanga province, Emmanuel has advocated for many years on behalf of people impacted by extractive industries. He has worked to empower local communities, report on abuses, and pursue redress through Congolese courts as well as African and international mechanisms.

His keynote speech will be followed by a high-level panel discussion and an audience Q&A. In addition to Mary and Emmanuel, panelists will include:

– Holly Dranginis, Policy Analyst, Enough Project

– Aliou Diouf, Francophone Africa Researcher & Representative, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

– Michael Loch, Director, Supply Chain Corporate Responsibility, Motorola Solutions

– Patrick Alley, Co-Founder and Director, Global Witness

RSVP: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/managing-congos-resource-wealth-from-plunder-to-shared-prosperity-tickets-12949830291