ICMM Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples Workshop

From 29 to 30 January 2014, Stephanie Booker of Natural Justice participated in a multi-stakeholder workshop hosted by the International Council on Mining and Metals in Johannesburg. Participants included Indigenous representatives, representatives from local and regional non-government and civil society organisations, academia and representatives from ICMM member companies throughout the continent. The event was co-facilitated by the Institute of Business and Human Rights.

The two-day workshop included:

• An overview and introduction to the international policy landscape and ICMM's guidance policies on human rights and indigenous peoples;
• A discussion of the challenges around human rights and indigenous peoples in the African context;
• An examination of case studies from the region;
• Prioritisation of challenges that were to be addressed.

Some of the central themes discussed included inclusive and representative engagement; grievance mechanisms; compensation; free prior and informed consent; corporate transparency; and benefit sharing.

The workshop was a unique opportunity to share ideas and experiences with a range of different stakeholders.