Social Accountability International's Newsletter - July 2013

The latest news and events on CSR, human rights and supply chain management from Social Accountability International (SAI)
Jul 23, 2013 12:00 PM ET

Read SAI's July 2013 newsletter

Reflections on 10 Years in Bangladesh
Interview with SAI Lead Trainer Badri Gulur on his perspective of social compliance in Bangladesh from 2003-2013

SAI and AKUT Partnership for Fire Safety Emergency and Disaster Management
SAI will work with the Turkish NGO AKUT to enhance SAI's training programs to include a deeper focus on risk and emergency management, and health and safety training

Increasing the Quality of the Food Chain in Parma
SAI promotes 'human rights at work' at event convened by local Italian Trade Union Organization

Guidance on Auditing Gender Discrimination
SAI and SAAS convene forums in New Delhi and Bangalore to receive practical feedback and facilitate dialogues on gender discrimination 

UN Guiding Principles in Zimbabwe's Mining Sector
The 'Pillars in Practice' Program convened stakeholders in the Zimbabwean mining sector to focus on how to implement the Guiding Principles    

Stakeholder Engagement: SA8000 in China
Interview with Supply Chain Sustainability and Labor Expert Rachelle Jackson 

Introducing SAI Director of Operations: Michelle Bhattacharyya
Ms. Bhattacharyya brings a strong background in economic development and community entrepreneurship

Meet SAI & SAAS' 2013 Summer Interns
Bridget Dunn, Wellesley College; Michael Pauker, Vassar College; Sabrina Zurga, Wellesley College; Katherine Schwartz, Wellesley College (intern with Social Accountability Accreditation Services), Daniel Macmillen, University of Cambridge

Highlights & Announcements

  • Bipartisan Policy Center Coordinates Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety
    On July 9, the Alliance released its action plan - "The Bangladesh Worker Safety Initiative" which was developed through a process facilitated the US Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC). There is a crucial need for collaboration between this Alliance and the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh coordinated by IndustriALL and UNI Global Union, as stated by SAI during the June 7 meeting convened by the BPC: "It is crucial that this effort bring brokered by the BPC should be in alignment with the goals, intentions and activities of the Bangladesh Accord, in an effort to strengthen, and not divert, the needed cooperation and attention to the major task ahead in Bangladesh."
     
  • SAI CEO Teaches 'Business Ethics & Governance' Class at Zurich's Lorange  Institute of Business
    On July 1-2, SAI CEO Eileen Kaufman taught this 2-day session as part of a broader 12-day leadership course that focused on human resources management. Her sessions reviewed the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the Business Principles for Countering Bribery, SA8000, transparency in business, the Women's Empowerment Principles and company case studies. Students were Switzerland-based managers from a cross section of national and international companies.