UNICEF launches business toolkit on children’s rights

UNICEF has launched a toolkit aimed at integrating the rights of children into business operations.

The new tools recommend ways for businesses to incorporate children’s rights into their policies and codes of conduct; provide criteria for companies to assess their performance in respecting children’s rights; and review critical areas of impact on children’s rights. The tools also offer guidance on the actions a company can take to integrate children’s rights into their policies and management processes.

Since the release of its Children’s Rights Business Principles in 2012, UNICEF has been working closely with CSR and sustainability organisations and businesses to develop guidance for implementing the Principles.
The practical tools are available via a new platform, the Corporate Lab, which aims to help companies worldwide to identify and address their impact on children’s rights.

The Corporate Lab will serve as a guide for companies to work with UNICEF to implement the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, to exchange ideas and find solutions to how business and development organisations can work together. The Lab will seek to advance sector-specific and country specific understandings of how business can respect and support children’s rights.

“We applaud the companies and our partners worldwide for joining us on this journey to place children’s rights at the centre of every corporate sustainability agenda,” said Yoka Brandt, UNICEF deputy executive director. “UNICEF is working to guide the global business community to take increased responsibility for advancing children’s rights.”