CORE - The Human Side of Business

?? ?????? ???????????? ???????? ??????????????, ?????????????????? ???? #InternationalWomensDay! At one of our first team meetings this year, we took a moment to reflect—?????? ???????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ???? ????????. Privileged for the professional opportunities we have, the projects we get to work on, the inspiring people in our network, and for our team - ?????? ???????? ????????. And yet, when we look back just 50 years, women in Germany still needed their husband's consent to make purchases - even for the purchase of a musical instrument. We’ve come a long way. But gender equality is still far from achieved. In fact, we see regression in some areas, with unconscious, privileged leaders in power slowing down progress and moving us backwards. ????????’?? ?????? ???? ???????? ?????????????????????????? ??????????’?? ??????, ???? ???????????? ?????? ???? ?????????????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????????? ????????????????, ?????? ???? #privilege ???? ??????????????. ?? ???? ???????? ?????? ???????? ??????????????, ????????'?? Lisa Szeponik ???????????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????? ?????????????????? - ???? ?? ????-???????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????? ??????????????????.?She describes how our unconscious assumptions about gender, race, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and health shape how we see the world—and how we treat others. ???? ?????? ?????????? ???? ???????????????? ?????? ?????????? ????????????, ?????????????????? ?????????? ???????????????????? ?????????? ???????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????????? ??????????????. ?? If you'd like to learn more about why we must recognize our own privileges and biases—and using them responsibly— ???????? ????????'?? ?????????????? ?????????????? ??????????. ?? ?? Visit us: www.peopleatcore.com ??? Get in touch: [email protected] ??? Follow us on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dZPauvia ??? Read the CORE Message: peopleatcore.substack.com #WomensDay #InternationalWomensDay #women

??? ?????? ???? ?????? ????????-???????? ??????????????! ?? How should companies address regulatory uncertainties including the EU #omnibus proposal? ?? What do these potential changes mean for the implementation of the German Supply Chain Act (#LkSG) and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Regulation (#CSDDD)? On March 19, join the UN Global Compact Netzwerk Deutschland for a deep-dive webinar with Julia Otten of Frank Bold, S?ren Bachmann of Hapag Lloyd and Theresa Quiachon of CORE - The Human Side of Business: https://lnkd.in/ejusVReJ ?? The CORE team is excited to be supporting the UN Global Compact Germany this year. Stay tuned for more deep-dive webinars, virtual sessions and in-person events!

?? ?????? ???????????????? ??????-???????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ???????????????????????????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????????????????? (#CSDDD) ?????????? ?? ??????-???????? ?????????????? in building human rights awareness, engaging internal and external stakeholders, securing resources and ultimately and most importantly, minimizing adverse impacts on people and the environment. ?? It is especially ???????????????????????? ?????? ???????????????????????????? ?????? ?????????? ???????????? ?????????????? who need to secure the support of senior leadership and peers across the organization – something that mandatory regulations have been a strong driver for. Human rights due diligence (HRDD) is an evolving corporate process that requires time for experimentation, adjustment, and learning from others. This delay would strip companies of valuable opportunities to refine their systems, exchange insights, and build internal capacity. ?? Even if this rushed and politically driven proposal moves forward (i.e., the EU Parliament and EU Council agree to these changes proposed by the EU Commission), forward-thinking businesses will continue to adopt meaningful human rights risk management, because it makes business sense. ?? Read the latest CORE Message on how, if adopted, the omnibus proposal would change your #CSDDD implementation: https://lnkd.in/e4uUdnvz

?? ??? ???????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? "??????'?? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ????" ?????????????? ????????????: ?????????? ???????????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ????????????????????! This Wednesday, the CORE team's Cecilia Barral Diego and Serra Cremer will be hosting Galina Angarova (SIRGE Coalition) and Kendyl Salcito (NomoGaia) to answer the following five questions: - What are Indigenous peoples’ rights? - How is your business linked to them? - How can you ensure that your business upholds Indigenous Peoples’ rights? - What does meaningful engagement with Indigenous and local communities look like? - Are there real-world examples of good practice? ?? ???????? ???? ?????? ??????+ ???????????? ?????? ???????? ????????-???????????? ????????????????????????!? Register here: https://lnkd.in/eA-jnyuX

?? ???? ???????? ?????????? ???????????? ???? ???????????????? ?????? ?? ?????????????? ???????????????????????? ?????? #?????????? ???? ?????? #?????????????? ???????????????? ???? ??????????????? ???????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????????????? ?????????? ?????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ???? ?? ?????? ????????—though it certainly is. Many stakeholder statements (including some we’ve signed) have already made strong arguments against the EU Commission’s proposal to narrow corporate sustainability requirements. ?? ??????????????, ???????? ???????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ?????????? ???? ???????????????? ???? ?????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????. It aims to answer the key question: What would change in practice for a company implementing the CSDDD? ?? ???? ???????????? ?????? ???????????? ???? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????????????????? ???????????????? ???? ??????????????????: - Definition of Stakeholder - The Scope of Due Diligence - Data Collection from SME Business Partners - Monitoring of Due Diligence Measures - Termination of Business Relationships - Civil Liability of Companies for Damages - The 1-Year Delay in Implementation ?? Read the full article below ??. ?? Visit us: www.peopleatcore.com ?? Get in touch: [email protected] ?? Follow us on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dZPauvia ?? Read the CORE Message: peopleatcore.substack.com

?? ?? The European Commission's #omnibus proposal amending corporate sustainability directives is officially published. ?? The proposal can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/d89TjJAt ?? The press conference can be watched here: https://lnkd.in/g8Q7nFH ?? The press release on the #omnibus proposal can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/etbVBTYB #CSDDD #CSRD #sustainability #Taxonomy

?? ??? ????????'?? Theresa Quiachon ?????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????The Centre for Child Rights and Business ???????? ???????????????? ???? ?? Thomson Reuters ?????????????? ???? ?????????? ?????????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????? ????. As Natalie Runyon reports, "the US is experiencing a significant increase in #childlabor violations, and companies can play a crucial role in addressing this issue by conducting thorough risk assessments and adopting a proactive approach to identifying, preventing, and remediating child labor in their operations and supply chains." "By addressing child labor issues comprehensively, companies not only fulfill their ethical and legal obligations but also contribute to broader human rights protections and sustainable business practices, while reducing human rights risk exposure in their supply chains. ?? “Companies should make a strategic decision to prevent child labor in their operations and value chains through due diligence,” says?Theresa Quiachon, co-founder of CORE. “It is not philanthropy.” Instead, it is the right thing to do and is a sound strategic business decision that’s based on ethics and maintaining the trust that customers, investors, and the public at large have placed in the company." #HRDD #UnitedStates #sustainability #HREDD

?? ???? Our co-founders Stephanie Borowiec and Lisa Szeponik just returned from a trip to Sofia, where they contributed to the ESG&FRIENDS conference hosted by ESGnews.bg. A special thanks to Olya Peneva (she/her), for inviting us and to Bozhidara Zhivkova, Victoria Ilkova, and Gergana Manolova for being such kind hosts! ?? Steffi was part of a panel discussion alongside Ivana Tsvetkova (Global Compact Network Bulgaria), Margarita Kolcheva (Yettel.Bulgaria), and Sebastian Vetter (Aurubis), exploring the practical steps needed to advance human rights in the context of #ESG and supply chains. ?? In the afternoon, both Steffi and Lisa hosted a workshop with 50+ participants, sharing their experience advising businesses on the implementation of the German Supply Chain Act (#LkSG). Our Key Takeaways: ?? #?????????? ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ??????????????????. (no surprise there!) ? - Geopolitical shifts—such as the new U.S. administration and the war against Ukraine—have made environmental and human rights regulations a part of political and economic trade-offs. - Zsófia Beck explained how the energy trilemma (affordability, security, sustainability) is once again a pressing issue in Europe, reinforcing the need for collaboration and mutual learning. It’s crucial that EU countries stand together and uphold their shared values. ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???? ?????????????? ????????????????????????????. - Many Bulgarian companies have made significant progress in environmental due diligence but are still in the early stages of human rights due diligence. - Long-term strategies and policy consistency at the EU level are essential for Eastern European countries to build on these efforts. - Sven Gentner (European Commission) emphasized the importance of the EU Green Deal and a #JustTransition, reminding us that ignoring challenges won’t make them disappear. ??????????????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ?????? ??????????????. - Business activities, supply chains, and human rights don’t stop at borders—neither should our efforts on human rights and environmental due diligence (#HREDD). - In countries where human rights due diligence is still developing, many professionals work on this topic in isolation. Establishing networks to share knowledge is much needed. ?? ????????????, ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????????? ???? ?????????? ??????????, ???????????????????? ???? ????! As one of Europe’s oldest cities, Sofia has so much to offer! We were lucky to experience it in the snow and tried out some fantastic local spots, recommended to us by Ivana Tsvetkova, which we would like to pass on to anyone planning to visit Sofia soon: Martines Family Coffee Roastery ? (martines.coffee) and Made in Blue ??? (https://lnkd.in/e47Yyfrp). Thank you to everyone that welcomed us so warmly. We will definitely be back!

?? ?? ?????? ???????????? Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (????????) ?????????????????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????????????? ??????????, ?????????????????? ???????????????? ???? ?????? ????????-?????????? ???????????????? under the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (#LkSG). The 6-page document clarifies key principles for companies implementing due diligence obligations and aligns with the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (#CSDDD). It answers the following questions: - What is the risk-based approach under LkSG? - How is a risk analysis conducted? - Which suppliers should be included? - How does BAFA monitor compliance? ?? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ???????????????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ??????, ?????? ????????-?????????? ???????????????? ???? ?? ?????????????????????? ?????????????????? ???? ?????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????????? ?????? ?????? ?????????????????? ??????????????????????. ???????? ?????? ?????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ?????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????????? ??????????????????, ????????????????, ?????? ?????????????????? ?????????? ???????????? ???????? ????????????????????. The FAQ document is currently available only in German, but we expect it to be published in English, French, and Italian, as has been the standard for other BAFA documents. https://lnkd.in/e3khiU5r

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????"????????-??????????????????????",?????????? "???????????????????????? ????????????" ?????? ?????? “?????? ????????????”. ? These claims have become go-to arguments for those seeking to weaken or strike human rights and environmental due diligence (#HREDD) laws in the #omnibus proposal. The narrative suggests that companies are being asked to do the impossible and are suffering from political overreach. ? A recent study conducted by Profundo tells a different story. The study found that ?????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????????????????????????? ???????????????????? (#????????) ?????????????? ???? ???? ?????????????? ???? ???????? ??.????% ???? ???????????? ?????????????????for companies covered by the study (including both large enterprises and #SMEs). ???? ?????????? ?????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????? ?????? ???????????? ????????????, ?????? ?????????????????? ???????????? ???? ???????????????? ???????????? ?????????? ???? ???????? ??????????, ?????????????? ??.??????% ?????? ??.????% ???? ???????????? ????????????????. ? The study assessed costs related to: ? Setting up an EUDR-compliant due diligence system ? Conducting due diligence on supply chains for all products placed on the EU market ? Submitting due diligence statements for an estimated number of shipments ? Meeting public reporting and information retention obligations ? Although the study considered the implementation of the EUDR as a stand-alone activity, it acknowledges that, especially for large companies, EUDR due diligence efforts can overlap with due diligence efforts under other corporate sustainability regulations such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (#CSRD) and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (#CSDDD), enabling cost efficiencies.?? ? ??????????????????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????????????, ?????????????????????????? ?????? ??????????????????—???????? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????. While we can’t pretend that tackling human rights and environmental issues such as modern slavery, climate change, and biodiversity loss is effortless, this study provides a concrete example demonstrating that sustainability due diligence is financially viable. Authors of the study: Gerard Rijk, Barbara Kuepper