Train of Trainers workshops on human rights held in Colombia and Mexico

Several Train of Trainers workshops on human rights were held in Mexico City, Bogotá and Medellín in September. 53 representatives of large and multinational companies that have implemented human rights due diligence processes, participated in these trainings. They learned from theoretical-practical cases how business activities can impact human rights in different economic sectors and how to implement tools to prevent, mitigate and repair violations of human rights.

This training is part of the triangular cooperation project “Learnings from the private sector in Colombia, Mexico and Germany on respect for human rights in supply chains” of GIZ through the Alliance for Integrity, and its main partners the Chamber of Industry, the Colombian-German Chamber of Commerce (AHK) and the German-MexicanChamber of Commerce and Industry (CAMEXA).

The workshops were developed based on the Alliance for Integrity's anti-corruption training methods “From Companies to Companies” (DEPE) methodology, which it has implemented since 2015. This adaptation to the business and human rights agenda seeks to generate greater knowledge and adoption of human rights due diligence processes in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Colombia and Mexico, which brings them benefits in the short, medium, and long term, such as access to national and global markets, improves the prevention of impacts on human rights, increases profitability and increases trust with its interest groups.

Through the network of trainers consolidated in both countries, companies shall replicate what they have learned with their supply chains, which are highly vulnerable when it comes to the violation of human rights – often due to the lack of information and support from large companies that already have a human rights strategy in place. Companies that participated in the workshops shall apply the DEPE trainings in a sustainable way. In medium to long term, other Latin American countries, where the Alliance for Integrity is located, shall develop this initiative in human rights.

Colombia and Mexico are countries with high risks and violations of human rights, however, the States and companies have shown interest in participating in initiatives such as these trainings to continue promoting knowledge of human rights and increasing the capacities, especially of SMEs. An example of this is this unique triangular cooperation project in the Latin American region that has brought the commitment to respect for human rights from more than 65 companies from both countries.

The Train of Trainers on human rights in Mexico and Colombia marks a fundamental milestone in the triangular cooperation project with the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Colombia and Mexico. Implementing partners are motivated to continue cooperation towards the protection and respect of human rights with companies and their supply chains.

For more information, contact daniela.camargocamacho@giz.de

More information about Alliance for Integrity's activities in human rights and anti-corruption in Latin America: Derechos humanos - Alliance for Integrity

Copyright: GIZ Mexico and AHK Colombia