Through the Responsible and Sustainable Palm Oil in Indonesia (Resbound), Program, a foundation is providing training to help civil society organizations (CSOs) in North Sumatra to be able to monitor the plantation company’s compliance on human rights issues and their social responsibilities.
“Through the training in lobbying and advocacy for CSOs, it is hoped that it could boost their capacity and capability in understanding human rights, human rights and business, and contextualize these rights and business in the development of villages,” said Keumala Dewi, Executive Director of the Foundation of the Center for Studies and Protection of Children (PKPA) which organized the training.
“At the end, NGOs will be able to monitor the compliance of companies regarding their social responsibilities and human rights issue,” Keumala said in an email to The Palm Scribe on Thursday (9/1)..
She said that the training was also expected to not only enable participants to understand the concepts and theories of human rights in relations to businesses and also the theory of inclusive village development, but also to formulate steps to monitor their application
An initial basic training is provided for one day and after a selection of the participants a further three days of more comprehensive training is given. it is hoped the training will enable participants to position themselves in the advocacy to build a strategic partnership with companies and in safeguarding human rights issues between communities and companies.
“The role of NGOs is really important and potential in building a more strategic partnership with companies in their CSR implementation to support sustainable development,” she said.
Participants for the training, the first ever such training held in North Sumatra, were selected from 65 CSOs which are involved and have active programs in village issues, including children and women, at the three districts where the program is being held — Langkat, Deli Serdang and Serdang Bedagai.
“This is the first ever activity that uses the village spectrum with a business and human rights approach, as well as a multi-sided partnership between the government, the communities and the business sector,” Keumala said.
The Resbound Program is a joint initiative of ICCO Cooperation and the Indonesia Business Council for Sustainable Development (IBCSD) and receives the support of the European Union. The program is aimed at encouraging village development in palm oil plantation areas that are responsive to the needs of local communities.
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