The manufacture of electronics like smartphones and laptops requires vast quantities of minerals sourced around the world. The extraction of these minerals is linked to severe impacts on human rights and the environment and is known to fuel violent conflicts. Contracting authorities have a unique opportunity to apply social criteria in tender processes to support the responsible sourcing of minerals. But this is only happening to a limited degree.

This webinar on 19 January 2021, 2:00 - 4:00 PM CET explores opportunities for applying social criteria to ICT procurement with a focus on minerals.

It examines experiences, strategies and methods used in European countries, where public authorities have actively included contract clauses related to responsible sourcing of minerals in ICT products. Furthermore, it provides insights into the risks involved in mineral extraction and considers an industry model which aims to enhance human rights due diligence practices in mineral supply chains.

The audience will have opportunities to ask questions and be engaged in the discussion on how to enhance work on responsible sourcing of minerals.

Presentations and Q&A

• Overview of risks and impacts linked to mineral extraction - Linda Scott Jakobsson, Swedwatch

• Social criteria in public contracts to address responsible sourcing of minerals in ICT supply chains - Elin Severholt, City of Stavanger

• Models of human rights due diligence assurance programme in mineral supply chains - Leah Butler, Responsible Mineral Initiative

Panel discussion moderated by Josefine Hintz, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability

Sharing experiences, challenges and opportunities in applying social criteria relating to responsible sourcing of minerals. Q&A with the panel and audience.

Panel:

• Elin Severholt, City of Stavanger

• Kathleen McCaughey, Region of Stockholm

• TBD

Click here to register. Zoom link will be sent to registered participants.

For more information please contact:

Tom Sullivan, Communications Advisor, Swedwatch +46(0)8 525 203 83 / tom@swedwatch.org or

Linda Scott Jakobsson, project manager Make ICT Fair, Swedwatch +46 (0) 8 5252 203 80 / linda@swedwatch.org

Funded by the European Union and co-funded by Sida.

This webinar is part of Make ICT Fair, an EU-funded project that aims to improve the lives of workers and communities affected by production of ICT devices including smartphones and laptops. Through awareness raising, research and advocacy, the Europe-wide campaign highlights human rights and environmental impacts along ICT supply chains as well as solutions to these challenges. Make ICT-fair has 11 participants from civil society organisations and academic institutions across the EU.

This webinar will explore the role subnational regions can play in driving labour market development in the circular economy.

Taking inspiration from recent research by Circle Economy, Zero Waste Scotland and HIVA, this webinar will provide regions with insights for advancing their work on the circular economy through the lens of employment.

Check out the event website for more background information and to register.

The webinar is organized by Circle Economy, Zero Waste Scotland, HIVA and ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability.

Agenda

• Welcome: Circle Economy
• Opening: What unique role can subnational regions play in setting the circular economy agenda? Burcu Tuncer, Head of Circular Development & Global Coordinator, ICLEI
• Presentation 1: How can regional approaches ensure a just transition to the circular economy? Kris Bachus, Research Manager, HIVA
• Presentation 2: How can regions provide the skills needed for the circular economy? Fiona Craig, Education and Skills Manager, Zero Waste Scotland
• Panel discussion and Q&A with Katrijn Siebens from Circular Flanders, Etienne Angers from Recyc Quebec, and more.
• Closing

As part of the International Congress: Value Co-creation and Innovation in the New Service Economy, the Procure2Innovate Network will introduce itself, as well as some good practices by competence centres in the special session 'Innovation procurement in Europe and the Procure2Innovate Network'. The session will be from 11.15 to 12.30 CET.

Link to the event (access code 600862)

Speakers:
- Marlene Grauer, International Project Manager - KOINNO, German Competence Centre for innovation procurement
- Beatriz Torralba, Innovation Procurement Office CDTI, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation - Spanish Competence Centre for innovation procurement   
- Rolf Zeldenrust, Senior Advisor Innovation Procurement - PIANOo, Dutch Competence Centre for innovation procurement

Facilitated by ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability

For more information, visit here

The webinar is co-hosted by European Parliament vice presidents Heidi Hautala and Marcel Kolaja and co-organised by Electronics Watch and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability.

The main objective of the webinar is to demonstrate what kind of public procurement policies and practices are possible in information and communications technology (ICT)/electronics for public purchasers at the European Union, national, regional or local level.

The webinar will provide insights on:

• Human rights and labour rights risks in the ICT/electronics hardware industry on the level of manufacturing and mining
• Verification challenges in public procurement
• Independent monitoring as a solution to the verification challenge and impact of independent monitoring for workers
• Bottom-up investigations for supply chain transparency
   

To register, please follow this link.