IGF 2022 WS #469 Due diligence in the tech sector: Southern perspectives

Organizer 1: Ramiro Alvarez Ugarte, Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information at Palermo University, Argentina
Organizer 2: Paula Martins, Association for Progressive Communications - APC
Organizer 3: Shawna Finnegan, Association for Progressive Communications

Speaker 1: Ramiro Alvarez Ugarte, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Soledad García Muñoz, Intergovernmental Organization, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Gayatri Khandhadai, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group

Moderator

Paula Martins, Civil Society, Intergovernmental Organization

Online Moderator

Ramiro Alvarez Ugarte, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Rapporteur

Shawna Finnegan, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Format

Round Table - Circle - 60 Min

Policy Question(s)

How can current debates on environmental and human rights due diligence in the tech sector be informed by policies, regulations and practices in the global South?

How much are Inter-American standards (from the human rights system and the Escazu Agreement, for example) aligned with the current proposals for EU directives and norms on human rights and corporate sustainability due diligence?

Connection with previous Messages: The workshop aims to build on IGF 2021 messages and recommendations to integrate human rights due diligence and impact assessments throughout the entire life cycle of technology. At present, many global discussions on environmental and human rights due diligence in the tech sector are focused on the European context. The proposed workshop will offer insights and perspectives from Latin America and the Caribbean, and invite participants to engage in ongoing research to explore policies, regulation and standards in Africa and Asia-Pacific.

SDGs

12. Responsible Production and Consumption
12.6
12.b
17. Partnerships for the Goals
17.14


Targets: The proposed session primarily links to targets under SDG12 and SDG17, focusing on implementation of monitoring sustainable development impacts (12b) and company reporting (12.6), enhancing policy coherence for sustainable development (17.14) and promoting the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies (17.6).

Description:

This session aims to explore regional policies and regulation that address the negative socio-environmental impacts of the technology sector.

At present, many global discussions on environmental and human rights due diligence in the tech sector are focused on the European context. Discussions within the EU and the Council of Europe will impact regulations around the world, and it is crucial to extend the current debates to take into account environmental and human rights standards in regions of the global South.

The workshop will bring together a diverse group of speakers to share and reflect on a draft findings from a study of policies and regulation in Latin America and the Caribbean that should inform global discussions, debates, norms, policies and standards for environmental and human rights due diligence in the tech sector. Workshop participants will also be invited to reflect on APC plans to map relevant policies and regulation for environmental and human rights due diligence in Africa and Asia-Pacific in 2023.

Expected Outcomes

The session will contribute to ongoing research and multi-stakeholder discussion towards improving policies and regulations that address the socio-environmental impacts of the technology sector.

In 2022, APC will publish findings from research to map relevant policies and regulation in Latin America and the Carribean, focusing on Inter-American standards and building on research conducted through the development of the Escazu Agreement. In 2023, APC will expand our regional focus, to explore policies, regulation and standards in Africa and Asia-Pacific.

Hybrid Format: The proposed workshop will be convened as a hybrid round table discussion, with most speakers expecting to participate online. The session will be designed to enable and encourage dynamic conversation among invited speakers, and invite input from participants online and on-site through written chat. All participants in the discussion will be invited to join a mailing list to continue the discussions after the IGF.

Approximately 1-2 weeks before the session, all speakers will be invited to a test call with session organizers in order to test connectivity and ensure that all speakers are comfortable with the hybrid round table format of the session.

Online Participation



Usage of IGF Official Tool.