Ryerson CSR Institute Session: Children's Rights and Mining Security Arrangements - Three Perspectives

This talk is co-sponsored by the Ryerson Corporate Social Responsibility Student Association, the Ryerson Commerce and Government Association, and the Ryerson Law and Business Student Association, and is supported by the Trade Commissioner Service of Global Affairs Canada.
 

Public and private security arrangements can have a significant impact on the rights and wellbeing of vulnerable community members, such as women and children, at every stage of the life cycle of a mine. Treating them with respect and being aware of their rights and vulnerabilities can engender good community relations with security providers and enhance social acceptance and support of the company’s presence. Conversely, security providers could ignite or exacerbate community conflict and endanger the company’s operations through exploitation of women and children; committing violence against marginalized groups who may be protesting, stealing, vandalizing, or trespassing; and the inappropriate and sometimes illegal treatment and detention of young people.

In 2016, the Government of Canada and UNICEF Canada co-chaired a Canadian-led multi-stakeholder working group of companies, governments, and civil society organizations to address this, creating the Child Rights and Security Checklist and a subsequent implementation Handbook. These have inspired tangible actions by companies, governments and civil society in Canada and around the world.

For the first time, this session will bring together the perspectives of three different participants:

• UNICEF Canada will introduce how mining impacts children, the specific implications for security arrangements, and lessons learnt from the working group and developing the resources.
• Sherritt International will set out why and how they engaged in the working group, examples of how they addressed child rights in their policies, and updates on current implementation.
• Agnico Eagle will explain why and how they engaged in piloting the checklist at mine sites in South America, lessons learnt from this process, and updates on current progress.

Simon Chorley (International Programs Manager - UNICEF Canada) leads the organization’s engagement with the extractive sector and with the Government of Canada on corporate responsibility. He has contributed to numerous projects and publications, including UNICEF’s Child Rights and Mining Toolkit, Natural Resources Canada’s CSR Checklist, and the World Bank’s Extractive Industries Source Book. The Child Rights and Security Checklist and Handbook, which he co-authored, were shortlisted for a global UNICEF award. Prior to his work with UNICEF, Simon served with an international anti-human trafficking organization in London. He was born in England, grew up in East Africa, and lives in Ontario with his wife and two children.

Jennifer Prospero (Sustainability Manager - Sherritt International) is a sustainability professional with a decade of experience in the mining industry. Previously of Baffinland Iron Mines, Jennifer spent five years travelling around Baffin Island, Nunavut, conducting community consultation for the Mary River project. She was also centrally involved in environmental assessment and government relations. Now Jennifer is with Sherritt International, where she manages the global sustainability management system, including human rights, environmental and social performance, and reporting. Jennifer has a BA in Geography from the University of Victoria and a MSc in Environmental Planning from the University of Toronto. In 2017, Jennifer was named one of Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 in Sustainability by Corporate Knights.

Guillaume Lachapelle (Corporate Director, Health, Safety and Security - Agnico Eagle Mines) has extensive corporate and operational expertise from more than 25 years in HSES roles. He also holds Board positions at multiple organizations, including the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists. He has also been an invited speaker at McGill University for the M.Sc (A) Occupational Health program.