Benchmarking ICT Sector Companies on Respect for Freedom of Expression and Privacy

Launch of the Ranking Digital Rights 2015 Corporate Accountability Index at the 4^th Annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva

6:15pm on Monday, 16 November 2015, Room XXIV

Download PDF of the full event flyer for forum attendees

Objectives

This session is intended to introduce the Ranking Digital Rights 2015 Corporate Accountability Index to a broader community of stakeholders who work on business and human rights issues, who may or may not be familiar with the emerging set of issues related to digital rights and freedoms.

In addition to describing the Index findings and recommendations for companies and other stakeholders, we will discuss how the issues it highlights affect other business and human rights issues – not least how ICT companies’ respect for digital rights can affect civil society’s ability to organize and advocate on all human rights-related issues. We will also discuss how responsible investors can use the Index data and indicators, as well as how companies – including those not ranked in the 2015 Index – can use the Index’ data and indicators to plan and measure progress.

Format

The session will begin with a presentation about the Index: its purpose, findings, and recommendations, followed by comments by two discussants, followed by what we intend to be a lively interactive discussion with all people in the room.

Speakers

Moderator

Amol Mehra, Director, International Corporate Accountability Roundtable (ICAR)

Speakers

Rebecca MacKinnon, Director, Ranking Digital Rights

Farnam Bidgoli, Manager, Advisory Services, Sustainalytics

Peter Micek, Global Policy and Legal Counsel, Access Now

Cocktail Reception at Serpentine Bar sponsored by:

Access Now (accessnow.org)

Aspiration Tech (aspirationtech.org)