UNICEF, Norway fund to establish children rights network

By Murat Temizer

ANKARA

UNICEF and Norway's giant oil fund will establish a network to promote children's human rights and provide a framework in which companies can assess the business risk of the adverse impacts on children, according to the sovereign wealth fund's management, Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) on Friday.

NBIM said the network will facilitate dialogue between leading brands and retailers in the garment and footwear industry to strengthen children’s rights including child labor.

"Over time, we hope and expect that the network will contribute to improved market practices among companies and greater respect for children’s rights,” Global Head of Ownership Strategies at NBIM Carine Smith Ihenacho said.

The network will facilitate dialogue, exchange experience of efforts to promote rights, and work to increase awareness and acceptance of children’s rights.

It added that the companies would discuss how best to integrate, respect and support these rights in their policies and practices and their management and reporting systems.

"Child labor is only one of the areas where child rights are affected. Parents' conditions and their ability to care for their children are also very important," Camilla Viken, executive director of UNICEF Norway said, adding that the conduct of companies can all affect the families’ standard of living, access to education and to basic hygiene, as well as impact pollution.

A selection of companies in which NBIM has holdings has been invited to join the network.

More than ten will attend the first network event in Geneva on Nov. 27, together with experts in the field who will help guide the dialogue.

Over the next two years, the plan is to hold three workshops as well as quarterly meetings.