Amplifying the “S” in ESG

Investors are under increased pressure to consider the “S” (social) performance component in their investments. Yet, in the world of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing, the integration of social performance assessment has seen insufficient progress. To help address this issue, we facilitated a new partnership, bringing together civil society, experts, and the private sector to emphasise the importance of the ‘social’ criteria within Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing.

The Group, comprising Refinitiv, International Sustainable Finance Centre (ISFC), White & Case, Eco-Age, The Mekong Club, and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) (as an observer participant), produced a white paper to help further the momentum around improving our understanding of the “S”, as well as push for a wider adoption of social criteria in investment strategies.

As part of the white paper’s launch, two webinars will be held in the coming weeks - one hosted by The Mekong Club on June 22 and the other hosted by PRI on July 7 - both of which will bring together representatives of the Group and investment practitioners to discuss the challenges in tackling the “S” of ESG and next steps for investor action.

Partnership Against Child Exploitation (PACE) launches new site

To mark World Day Against Child Labour on June 12, the Partnership Against Child Exploitation (PACE) – an international consortium comprising the Thomson Reuters Foundation, War Child UK, World Vision UK, Fifty Eight, UN Global Compact Network UK and Care and Protection of Children (CPC) Learning Network of Columbia University – launched its new website, housing a range of data-driven insights and resources designed to inform, support and empower those working to tackle the worst forms of child labour.

Operating in the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia – where significant numbers of children are working in some of the worst forms of child labour – PACE draws on expertise from the NGO, media, research and private sectors, as well as local governments and communities, to investigate the issues that contribute to the prevalence of child exploitation, and to identify the most effective strategies for preventing and reducing the scourge. From the latest news coverage on child labour, to PACE’s growing repository of key learnings, evidence, and research, the new website equips advocates from across all sectors with the information needed to take practical action.

Changemakers Programme: Applications now open

Our Trust Conference Changemakers Programme will be returning in 2021 for its eighth year. It brings together some of the most inspiring pioneers and innovators from across the globe, committed to developing concrete solutions to pressing human rights issues in alignment with Trust Conference themes. These include climate change, socio-economic inclusion, media freedom, and data and digital rights.

In 2019, we received applications from 90 countries and selected Changemakers with expert knowledge of our conference themes. The 2021 Programme will fully fund the participation of up to 48 Changemakers to participate in a multi-week learning programme that aims to build the capacity – and strengthen the global network – of two pivotal actors driving positive change and impact in society: frontline advocates striving for solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, and local independent journalists who are explaining and amplifying those issues through media.