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Training Courses
-Getting Started in Your Company
-Building Your Internal Social Performance Team
Developing & Implementing Effective Social Performance Management Systems
New York, NY
Date TBD
Brussels, Belgium
May 29-30
Sao Paulo, Brazil
June 25-26
Bangalore, India
Date TBD
Madrid, Spain
May 20-24
Shanghai, China
May 27-31
SA8000 Advanced Auditor Training
Guangzhou, China
May 8-10
Karachi, Pakistan
May 13-15
Madrid, Spain
May 15-17
Bern, Switzerland
June 10-12
NGOs & Trade Unions
Complimentary seats available for NGO & trade union representatives. For more information, email SAI Training Manager Stephanie Wilson at swilson@sa-intl.org.
View Photos from SAI's Training Courses
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Social Accountability International (SAI) is a non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization established to advance the human rights of workers by promoting decent work conditions, labor rights, and corporate social responsibility through voluntary standards and capacity building.
SAI is headquartered in the United States with field representation in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, India, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Philippines, Switzerland, and UAE.
SAI- Human Rights at Work
For newsletter inquiries contact: SAI Communications Manager Joleen Ong, jong@sa-intl.org
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 The Business Case for Gender Equality
Women's Empowerment Principles: Inclusion is a Strategy for Change
 | | From left: Cover of the Gender Equity Seal certification system & implementation strategy; SAI Project Manager Caroline Lewis spoke at the 5th Annual Women's Empowerment Principles event in NYC on March 6. It was streamed live online. |
International Women's Day on March 8 is designated a celebratory day of reflection on some of the year's greatest advancements and achievements for women. Since the launch of UN Women and the UN Global Compact Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) in 2010, the annual WEPs event in New York serves as a forum to look at empowerment in the workplace and share best practices. The theme this year was Inclusion: Strategy for Change; it explored some of the innovative approaches that the private sector is taking to fight gender discrimination in the workplace.
At the WEPs event, SAI Project Manager Caroline Lewis spoke on the panel - Promise and Challenge: Value Chain, Diversity, Inclusion and Safety. She discussed the challenges faced by millions of women workers in company supply chains...>>Read more
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Fire Safety a Key Focus in SA8000 Revision
The SA8000 Standard & Guidance revision will provide considerably more specifics on fire safety
 The SA8000 Standard and Guidance Document are currently being reviewed and amended, a revision process conducted every 5 years. Similar to the 2008 SA8000 Standard revision process, extensive multi-stakeholder consultations and review will take place. SAI invites your feedback and participation.
Fire safety will undoubtedly be a key focus in the upcoming revision - as part of the 'Health & Safety' element and provisions in the Management System element. Already major changes have taken place. As a result of a series of tragic fires in Pakistan and Bangladesh, SAI and SAAS in their respective roles have each undertaken a deep look at the entire system and each identified, and decided upon, extensive revisions and changes. SAI is the owner of the SA8000 Standard and SAAS serves as the oversight accreditation body for the SA8000 certification system.
On October 9-11, 2012, SAI convened its semi-annual multi-stakeholder Advisory Board meeting. Five key areas for improvement to the SA8000 system were defined and prioritized:
1) Fire safety training and capacity building to enhance auditor competency
2) SA8000 audit quality control
3) Auditor competency and training
4) Stakeholder engagement
5) Minimizing the risk of corruption
Based on the Advisory Board recommendations, SAI contracted with SAAS to further investigate, design and implement system changes in the five key areas listed above. These specific changes...>>Read more
For more information, please contact SAI Communications Manager Joleen Ong - Jong@sa-intl.org.
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Implementing the UN Guiding Principles in Zimbabwe's Mining Industry
'Pillars in Practice' partner ZELA to engage local stakeholders on human rights & business topics
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Workers operating in one of the many gold mines in Zimbabwe.
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The Pillars in Practice (PiP) Program of SAI and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) works to build the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Bangladesh, Nicaragua and Zimbabwe, to engage with and train on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (GPs). The program aims to activate a strategic alliance by establishing the training capacity of CSO partners in each of the three countries to sustainably promote and assist in the implementation of the GPs by local and multi-national companies, government agencies and other local CSOs.
In Zimbabwe, the PiP Program partners with the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), represented by its Executive Director Mutuso Dhliwayo to address human rights issues in the country's mining industry. The PiP Program will convene spaces for multi-stakeholder dialogue in June among government representatives, mining companies, trade unions and civil society organizations to discuss the various... >>Read more
This article was written by SAI Development Manager Eliza Wright and SAI Development Intern Tina Baboyan, with contributions from Paloma Munoz Quick, Advisor at DIHR, and Mutuso Dhliwayo, Executive Director at ZELA. For inquiries, contact Ms. Wright - Ewright@sa-intl.org.
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Corporate Member Spotlight: EILEEN FISHER
The company's 'Ampersand' campaign offers a storytelling portal to share its broader efforts for human rights and sustainability
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Photos from the EILEEN FISHER 'Ampersand' site: eileenfisherampersand.com. From left: EILEEN FISHER's Director of Social Consciousness & SAI Advisory Board member, Amy Hall; hand loom weavers making scarves at the SA8000 certified supplier factory, Shingora; EILEEN FISHER's Human Rights Specialist Luna Lee (right) at a supplier factory in China.
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EILEEN FISHER's 'Ampersand' campaign is taking storytelling to a new level. Available in print and online - www.eileenfisherampersand.com - the company shares its broader efforts and collaborations to ensure human rights in its supply chain, protect the environment, empower women and girls and support traditional crafts and cultures.
Three stories specific to SAI's mission of human rights at work from the site caught our attention, we're pleased to share with you:
In India, Family and Factory The inspiring story of Shingora, the family-owned and operated SA8000 certified scarf factory in Ludhiana, India that is a supplier to EILEEN FISHER...>>Read more
500 People Touched my Clothing The work of EILEEN FISHER's Human Rights Specialist Luna Lee (and SAI alternate Advisory Board member for Amy Hall) is to 'stay in touch, literally' with the individuals...>>Read more
The Bumpy Path to the High Road The long journey of EILEEN FISHER's Director of Social Consciousness Amy Hall to develop and implement an ambitious agenda for her team to be environmentally sound and fight bigger issues such as human trafficking and slavery in Uzbekistan's...>>Read more
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Infosys Hosts Dialogue on UN Guiding Principles in India
At the 'CEO Forum' SAI discusses implementation of Guiding Principles for Business & Human Rights in the Indian context
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At the UN Global Compact Network India's 'CEO Forum' SAI Program Director Rishi Sher Singh presents on the Guiding Principles, and highlights a case study on women's rights in India. View more photos from the Forum on SAI's Facebook Page: http://on.fb.me/Y8aSMA. |
On March 5-7, 2013 SAI India Program Director Rishi Sher Singh participated in a workshop hosted by the UN Global Compact Network India - the 'CEO Forum' - hosted by Infosys in Bangalore.
The 'CEO Forum' is a two-year initiative launched by the UN Global Compact Network in India, and chaired by the Founder of Infosys, N. R. Narayana Murthy. The forum provides a dialogue among Indian leaders on exploring the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in the Indian context.
Mr. Singh presented on the rights based approach in supply chain and engaged participants to share their experiences. He highlighted...>>Read more
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Call for Suppliers: Brazil Worker Engagement Program
SAI invites São Paulo factories to join the Worker Engagement Program to improve health & safety systems
Over the past decade, it has become clear that to improve workplaces, management systems and effective ways to engage teams in tackling specific problems are needed.
Established October 2012, SAI's Brazil Worker Engagement Program aims to improve health and safety in workplaces of companies in the São Paulo region. This program is designed to help supplier factories enhance health and safety systems to better meet international labor standards. The program will work with groups of companies to each set 100-day internal goals towards improving a specific health and safety issue. It will utilize the award-winning Rapid Results Institute methodology for change management ...>>Read more
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Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights
How can companies embed the principles into daily business practices?
This two-day training event aims to demonstrate how companies can transform principles to practice.
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May 29-30, 2013
Brussels, Belgium
Host: European Investment Bank (EIB)
June 25-26, 2013
São Paulo, Brazil
Sept. 23-24, 2013 Utrecht, The Netherlands
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June 2011, the UN adopted the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights, written by UN Special Representative John Ruggie. One of the tenets of the principles is that businesses are expected to respect human rights in their company and in their supply chains. But what does this mean and how is it accomplished?The training answers these questions. It will provide understanding on:
- Content, scope and implications of the Guiding Principles
- How companies can meet their responsibility to respect human rights
- Distinguishing whether a company has caused, contributed to or is linked to adverse human rights impacts, and what actions are expected of the company as a response
- Avoiding adverse impacts in the supply chain through collaborative approaches and mutual buyer-supplier responsibility
- Key human rights risks and how to prioritize among them
- The business case...>>Read more
For more information, please contact SAI Training Manager Stephanie Wilson - SWilson@sa-intl.org.
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NGO Voice: ISEAL at SAI's Guiding Principles Course
ISEAL Alliance's M & E Coordinator describes how the course relates to its mission
 | | ISEAL Alliance Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinator, Marta Maireles Gonzáles |
On January 28, 2013, SAI convened its two-day training course in Utrecht, Amsterdam - 'Implementing the UN Guiding Principles in Your Supply Chain.' Over 30 participants attended the course from various countries and sectors, which included a complimentary seat for NGOs. At this training course, SAI was pleased to welcome the ISEAL Alliance's Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, Marta Maireles Gonzáles. Below Ms. Gonzáles describes the course, in her own words.
The ISEAL Alliance always strives to be up to date about the development of the sustainability landscape so that our good practices for sustainability standards remain at the forefront. In addition, ISEAL promotes the use of standards as tools that can help businesses meet their sustainability targets.
SAI's course in Utrecht on the UN Guiding Principles was based on a recent publication by SAI and ICCO, "The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: A Six Step Approach to Supply Chain Implementation Handbook." The course focused on a number of responsible supply change management steps that companies can take to ensure respect for human rights. It offered a combination of theory, practical cases...>>Read more
Complimentary seats for NGOs and trade unions are available for SAI's training workshops. For more information, please contact SAI Training Manager Stephanie Wilson - Swilson@sa-intl.org.
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SAI Team Grows in NYC: Alex Katz
SAI is very pleased to welcome Alex Katz as Senior Manager, Stakeholder Relations & Research
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SAI Sr. Manager, Stakeholder Relations & Research - Alex Katz
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In his new role at SAI, Alex Katz will have responsibility for the SA8000 standard, including its revision, interpretation, and promotion. He will research SA8000's impact on facility business practices and will work to disseminate educational materials on its application to auditors and suppliers, including guidance documents and training modules. Alex will also coordinate and foster stakeholder engagement, including SAI's MACs (Multi-stakeholder Advisory Committees).
Mr. Katz comes from a strong industrial and labor relations research background, with significant research and field experience in supply chains around the world... >>Read more
SAI is hiring! Chief Operating Officer in New York. SAI also offers internships in New York and India. Learn more at www.sa-intl.org/careers.
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SA8000 Auditor Training in Dhaka
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Group photo of participants from the Basic SA8000 Auditor Training course in Dhaka, Bangladesh on February 17-21, 2013 with SAI Lead Trainer Badri Gulur. View more photos from SA8000 auditor trainings on SAI's Facebook page: facebook.com/socialaccountabilityinternational [Photo credit: Badri Gulur] |
On February 17-21, 2013 SAI convened a Basic SA8000 Auditor Training course in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The course was led by SAI Lead Trainer, Badri Gulur, and attended by 21 delegates from countries that included India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Japan. After this course, Mr. Gulur led an SA8000 Advanced Auditor Training course in New Delhi on February 27-March 1. He also co-led a SA8000 Basic Auditor Training course in New Delhi on March 4-8 with SAI Lead Trainer Dr. Yogendra Chaudhry, attended by delegates from India, Denmark and Germany.
View the photos from these trainings and more on SAI's Facebook page: facebook.com/socialaccountabilityinternational.
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Upcoming SA8000 training courses:
Location: Madrid, Spain
Date: May 20-24, 2013
SA8000 Advanced Auditor Training
Location: Bern, Switzerland
Date: June 10-12, 2013
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Complimentary seats for NGOs & trade unions: SAI knows that NGOs and trade unions are critical in helping to ensure human rights at work around the world. As class sizes vary based on venue capacity, we limit these complimentary seats to two representatives per class.
SAI training courses are designed to encourage proficiency in social compliance and emphasize the implementation of management systems in combination with performance elements. These courses are required for all SA8000 and BSCI auditors, and valuable to internal auditors, buyers...>>Read more
For more information, contact SAI Training Manager, Stephanie Wilson at SWilson@sa-intl.org.
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Highlights & Announcements
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On March 26, SAI staff are trained in CPR by the Fire Department of New York. Learn more about how you can get your workplace trained @ on.nyc.gov/XdI0Tv.
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