Innovation in Human Rights
As globalization increases the reach and influence of the world’s largest companies, the responsibility of the company to protect human rights also increases. The United Nations, international human rights groups, and other policy-making organizations define human rights standards applicable to companies around the world. Simply addressing human rights through responsible supply chain standards is not sufficient in today’s global economy. Diamond Head Research scouts for new, innovative approaches that help protect vulnerable groups in our communities around the world. We track innovative approaches that address topics such as:
•Reduce inequality around the world
•Achieve gender equality
•Protect indigenous peoples and cultures
•Freedom of association
•Protect civil and political rights
•Prohibit forced or child labor
•Activity in conflict-affected areas
•CSR and labor unions
•CSR in extractive industries
Examples of CSR Innovation in Human Rights
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Microsoft's Digital Diplomacy Team
We like Microsoft’s Digital Diplomacy Team, who tackle human rights issues head on. They work with all stakeholders (governments, industry groups, private citizen groups). Recently, the team has worked to protect political campaigns from hacking, increase political advertising transparency online, explore technological solutions to preserve and protect electoral processes, and defend against disinformation campaigns.
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Unilever’s Act 2 Unstereotype Marketing Strategy
We’re watching the progress and impact of Unilever’s Act 2 Unstereotype marketing strategy. A mandate for all 400 Unilever brands, the strategy aims to make inclusive marketing a priority by raising visibility of diverse groups in advertising. The strategy also bans any digital alterations (skin color, body shape, size, etc.) of the photos of models used in Unilever ads.
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Ingka Group's Skills for Employment Refugee Integration Initiative
Ingka Group, the holding company of the IKEA retail chain, leads by example through its refugee integration program. The program seeks to up-skill 2,500 refugees and help them find meaningful employment either inside or outside of IKEA by 2022. Two-thirds of the participants have successfully found jobs through the program. The strategy not only provides humanitarian support to refugees, but also is a pathway for inclusive growth for the IKEA workforce.