In this episode of the PRI podcast, the second in our series on modern slavery, the PRI’s Head of Social Issues, Bettina Reinboth, speaks with Mark Eckstein. Mark is Director of Environmental and Social Responsibility at CDC Group. He was a commissioner of the Liechtenstein Initiative, a partnership between the governments of Liechtenstein, Australia and the Netherlands, as well as Liechtenstein public-private sector actors and foundations, to put the financial sector at the heart of global efforts to end modern slavery and human trafficking.  

Bettina and Mark discuss how to move the Liechtenstein Initiative recommendations forwards from a DFI perspective.

Interested in the projects mentioned in this episode? Find out more:

• New private sector guidance on tackling modern slavery risks: https://www.cdcgroup.com/en/emerging-markets-investment/new-private-sector-guidance-on-tackling-modern-slavery-risks/
• A Blueprint for Mobilizing Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking: https://www.unpri.org/social-issues/a-blueprint-for-mobilizing-finance-against-slavery-and-trafficking/5156.article

In this episode of the PRI podcast, published on International Human Rights Day, the PRI’s Head of Social Issues is joined by Anne-Maree O’Connor, Head of Responsible Investment at the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. Anne-Maree is also a commissioner of the Liechtenstein Initiative, a partnership between the governments of Liechtenstein, Australia and the Netherlands, as well as Liechtenstein public-private sector actors and foundations, to put the financial sector at the heart of global efforts to end modern slavery and human trafficking.

In this episode, Bettina and Anne-Maree discuss the role investors can play in combatting modern slavery, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 8.7.

As Anne-Maree notes, "Freedom from slavery is a fundamental human right and a financial system cannot be sustainable if it undermines these basic human rights that we all hold so dear." 

Read the Blueprint for Mobilizing Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking here: unpri.org/blueprint-slavery-trafficking

Olivier Van Hirtum and Jaideep Singh Panwar join the PRI’s Nabylah Abo Dehman to discuss the role of cobalt in battery technology and the human rights risks associated with the sourcing of cobalt. They explore the impact of electric vehicles growth on the demand for cobalt and the key role that investors can play in pushing for the adoption of more responsible sourcing practices of cobalt.

Phil Bloomer, Executive Director of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, joins the PRI's Felicitas Weber to discuss the the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and it's implications for companies and investors.