abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Report

26 Apr 2018

Author:
Global Child Forum; GES International

Global Child Forum publishes report on investor insights into children’s rights

"Investor Insights on Children’s Rights", March 2018

Global Child Forum and GES International have surveyed asset owner signatories to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2014, 2015, and 2017, in order to understand perspectives of the investor community on integrating children's rights issues into decision-making processes. We are now taking stock of the knowledge generated from these surveys and from recent in-depth interviews with nine investors.

The main findings of our work are presented in this report.

The purpose of this report is twofold: to provide information and inspiration to investors by highlighting the relevance of children's rights, and to supply concrete tools and frameworks for applying related perspectives. 

We also present two company examples [by Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) and Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS)] which serve to demonstrate how investors can work with children's rights on a practical level.

Our research shows that investors frequently address human rights in their decision-making. However, the topic of children's rights is not at the top of the agenda, with the exception of the issue of child labour, which is commonly recognised as being pertinent. [...] 
Some investors believe that the non-inclusion of children's rights is due to 'topic-fatigue.' [...] Even if children's rights are considered to be material, there are other issues [gender, environment, indigenous groups, etc] competing for investor attention...

KEY MESSAGES

  • Investors play a key role in influencing companies' behaviour
  • Children's rights are about more than just child labour
  • By engaging collaboratively, investors can maximise their leverage