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TRANSCRIPT
The applicability of RSCM
guidelines in conflict-affected
areas The case of a palm oil company in Colombia
ESRC Seminar, Nottingham, May 2015
Karlijn Kuijpers- SOMO
Outline
Introduction on SOMO and our work in Colombia
Introduction to the Colombian conflict and economic
development
Explanation of the case
Relation between the company and the conflict
How to apply RSCM
Analysis on RSCM in conflict-affected areas
SOMO
Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations
Research & advocacy
Different programs
– Economic Justice
– Food & Land
– Human Rights & Grievance Mechanisms
– Energy & Extractives
– Multinationals in Conflict-affected Areas
– Production and Consumption
Multinationals in conflict-affected areas
Understand dynamics between multinationals and
conflict
Make sure that companies are being held to account
DRC, Liberia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Colombia
Our work in Colombia
Investigate the role of multinationals in conflict and
conflict resolution and transformation
Support communities through
– Training
– Advocacy
– Research
Indepaz
History of the Colombian conflict
Land tenure
FARC and paramilitaries
Role of the army and the government
Difference between regions
Peace process
Other developments in Colombia
Economic development plan
Free Trade Agreements
OECD
Case- the region of Meta
Very remote
History of conflict
Army and paramilitaries
Role of the government
The palm oil company
Entered the region in 2008
Italian owners
‘We want to develop the region’
Export of palm oil
Impacts
Land conflicts/ land tenure
Labour rights
Environmental impacts
Indigenous peoples
Criminal activities?
Access to electricity
Employment
Relation to conflict
Conflict-sensitivity and due diligence
Governance gap
Land tenure
Conflict transformation- root causes of conflict
Money laundering?
Drug trade?
Implications for RSCM
Applicable standards
– OECD
– RSPO
– Ruggie Framework
Supply chain
Responsibilities of company, home and host state
Are the standards useful?
– Risks
– Little to be expected
– Limited experience with OECD and RSPO
– Types of impacts
RSCM in conflict-affected areas
Type of company
– Risk-taking
– In and out-strategy
– Companies set up by actors involved in conflict
– Many companies no MNC
What to be expected from host state?
Supply chain transparency
– More due diligence required from buyers?
Free Trade Agreements, OECD
Questions? Discussion?
Further reading:
http://www.somo.nl/knowledge-
centre/programmes/multinationals-in-conflict-affected-
areas
Contact:
www.somo.nl
www.indepaz.org.co