Day 1 / 6 November

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12:00

Welcome Coffee and Registration

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13:00

Opening

Linda Kromjong, President, amfori

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13:15

Keynote Speech 'The Importance of Multistakeholder Collaboration in changing Policy Landscape'
Q

Keynote Speech: “The Importance of
Multistakeholder Collaboration in a changing
Policy Landscape”

Dr. Bärbel Kofler plays an influential role as Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development in the German Federal Government.
Her keynote presentation will set forth the general architecture and elements of the changing policy landscape on HREDD.
In a context where many companies ask themselves the same questions and face the same practical, organisational or technical challenges, Kofler will seize the opportunity to discuss the importance of multistakeholder collaboration.

Her speech will highlight LkSG, EU forced labour ban, EU CSRD as well as requirements companies will have to meet in this regard.

Dr. Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary, MP, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany

Q

Keynote Speech: “The Importance of
Multistakeholder Collaboration in a changing
Policy Landscape”

Dr. Bärbel Kofler plays an influential role as Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development in the German Federal Government.
Her keynote presentation will set forth the general architecture and elements of the changing policy landscape on HREDD.
In a context where many companies ask themselves the same questions and face the same practical, organisational or technical challenges, Kofler will seize the opportunity to discuss the importance of multistakeholder collaboration.

Her speech will highlight LkSG, EU forced labour ban, EU CSRD as well as requirements companies will have to meet in this regard.

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13:45

Panel discussion 'Global Perspectives on ESG Due Diligence in Value Chains'
Q

Panel discussion “Global Perspectives on ESG
Due Diligence in Value Chains”

Different businesses – and value chains – require different actions and tools to ensure that their competitiveness and resilience are sustained and their business objectives are met.
In this panel, prominent speakers will discuss how they go the extra mile to bridge the gap between understanding and implementing ESG in their global value chain.
Furthermore, since the combination of forthcoming legislation, increasing investor demands and societal pressure means that a business’ value chain is coming under closer scrutiny, this panel is the right place to discuss the importance of a bottom-up process for decision-making that involves suppliers, building capacity and collaboration between all stakeholders.

Linda Kromjong, President, amfori

Representative, Confederation of Indian Industry TBC

Moderator: Natasha Majumdar, Network Representative in India, amfori

Q

Panel discussion “Global Perspectives on ESG
Due Diligence in Value Chains”

Different businesses – and value chains – require different actions and tools to ensure that their competitiveness and resilience are sustained and their business objectives are met.
In this panel, prominent speakers will discuss how they go the extra mile to bridge the gap between understanding and implementing ESG in their global value chain.
Furthermore, since the combination of forthcoming legislation, increasing investor demands and societal pressure means that a business’ value chain is coming under closer scrutiny, this panel is the right place to discuss the importance of a bottom-up process for decision-making that involves suppliers, building capacity and collaboration between all stakeholders.

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14:45

Coffee Break

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15:15

Presentations 'The Due Diligence Journey in Practice: Experience & Success Stories'
Q

Presentations “The Due Diligence Journey in Practice: Experience & Success Stories”

Success stories are an opportunity to learn from other change leaders. Several amfori members have already taken the leap on ESG Due Diligence. As such, they can legitimately share challenges they faced as well as decisions that continuously drive their evolution of ESG from CSR.
During this session, Bernardo Cruza, Head of Sustainability and CSR, El Corte Inglés (Spain) and Andreas Burmeister, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Wortmann (Germany) will discuss how they navigate their ESG journey.

Bernardo Cruza, Head of Sustainability and CSR, El Corte Inglés (Spain)
Andreas Burmeister, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Wortmann (Germany)

Q

Presentations “The Due Diligence Journey in Practice: Experience & Success Stories”

Success stories are an opportunity to learn from other change leaders. Several amfori members have already taken the leap on ESG Due Diligence. As such, they can legitimately share challenges they faced as well as decisions that continuously drive their evolution of ESG from CSR.
During this session, Bernardo Cruza, Head of Sustainability and CSR, El Corte Inglés (Spain) and Andreas Burmeister, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Wortmann (Germany) will discuss how they navigate their ESG journey.

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16:15

Panel Discussion: 'The Power of Collective Remediation for Zero Tolerance Violations in the Supply Chain'
Q

Panel Discussion: “The Power of Collective
Remediation for Zero Tolerance Violations in the
Supply Chain”

There is a very fine line between setting boundaries for acceptable behaviour and unconsciously creating a culture of fear.
In a conversation hosted by Aubree Evangelista, amfori Membership Manager Jonathan Thorngreen, amfori business partner Leong Siew Mui from Hartalega and Saskia Hans from TRIXIE will discuss the right steps to implement an amfori Zero Tolerance Protocol while underlining the advantages of a collective remediation approach.

Leong Siew Mui, Chief of Social Compliance Corporate Development Department (CDD), Hartalega SDN NHD, (Malaysia)
Saskia Hans, Quality & Product Compliance, TRIXIE Heimtierbedarf GmbH & Co. KG, (Germany)
Jonathan Thorngreen, Interim Membership Manager, Zero Tolerance Lead, amfori

Moderator: Aubree Evangelista Product Manager (Social), amfori

Q

Panel Discussion: “The Power of Collective
Remediation for Zero Tolerance Violations in the
Supply Chain”

There is a very fine line between setting boundaries for acceptable behaviour and unconsciously creating a culture of fear.
In a conversation hosted by Aubree Evangelista, amfori Membership Manager Jonathan Thorngreen, amfori business partner Leong Siew Mui from Hartalega and Saskia Hans from TRIXIE will discuss the right steps to implement an amfori Zero Tolerance Protocol while underlining the advantages of a collective remediation approach.

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17:00

Coffee Break

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17:20

Panel Discussion 'The Case for Corporate Sustainability Reporting'
Q

Panel Discussion “The Case for Corporate
Sustainability Reporting”

Sustainability reporting is an essential piece of the due diligence exercise: one cannot exist without the other. This panel will lay out the case for transparency reporting in the ESG context from different angles. and discuss key opportunities and barriers for companies to advance in their reporting efforts. It will also discuss key tools companies can leverage to advance in their reporting efforts.

Richard Howitt, Strategic Advisor on Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, Business and Human Rights / Member of the Strategic Advisory Council, amfori
Emily Norton, Lead, Regulatory Engagement & Sustainability Initiatives, OECD
Andrea Perales Padron, ESG Analyst, AVIVA Investors
Katharina Wortmann, Director, International Sustainability, ALDI-Sud

Moderator: Amanda Soler Guzmán, Advocacy & Engagement Advisor, amfori

Q

Panel Discussion “The Case for Corporate
Sustainability Reporting”

Sustainability reporting is an essential piece of the due diligence exercise: one cannot exist without the other. This panel will lay out the case for transparency reporting in the ESG context from different angles. and discuss key opportunities and barriers for companies to advance in their reporting efforts. It will also discuss key tools companies can leverage to advance in their reporting efforts.

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18:20

Conclusions

Leon Mol, Chair of the Board of Directors, amfori

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18:30

Networking Cocktail

Day 2 / 7 November

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8:00

Coffee and Registration

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9:00

Presentation ‘Looking ahead: amfori’s future-proof services’

Helen Kaestner, Head of Operations, amfori

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9:10

Interactive Presentation 'amfori HREDD Portal: Embark on your Personal Sustainability Journey'
Q

Interactive Presentation “amfori HREDD Portal:
Embark on your Personal Sustainability Journey”

This session aims to introduce the amfori HREDD Portal. This portal ambitions to support members every step of the way in their due diligence journey. Members will be guided through the steps for identifying, assessing and mitigating their supply chain risks.

Whether you’re part of a small business or a large corporation, the due diligence portal is the platform that will structure and centralise relevant data that will help you develop actionable improvement plan and measure impact across your value chain.

Erika Sok, Senior Sustainability Expert, Product Development, amfori

Sebastiaan Vernimmen, Chief Sustainability Officer, ICAPPS

Nicolas Van der Wee, Digital Product Strategist UX Designer, ICAPPS

Q

Interactive Presentation “amfori HREDD Portal:
Embark on your Personal Sustainability Journey”

This session aims to introduce the amfori HREDD Portal. This portal ambitions to support members every step of the way in their due diligence journey. Members will be guided through the steps for identifying, assessing and mitigating their supply chain risks.

Whether you’re part of a small business or a large corporation, the due diligence portal is the platform that will structure and centralise relevant data that will help you develop actionable improvement plan and measure impact across your value chain.

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9:45

Panel Discussion 'amfori BEPI: A Key Component of your Successful Due Diligence Journey'
Q

Presentation “amfori BEPI: A Key Component of your Successful Due Diligence Journey”

During its first year of existence, amfori BEPI has gained a meaningful place in the amfori Sustainability Platform.
Designed for members, non BEPI users and external audiences, this session aims to highlight the importance of amfori BEPI within the platform and how it efficiently drives practical environmental improvements throughout one’s supply chain.
The presentation will be supported by real-life examples shared by CESA – an important partner in China, a number of amfori members and a business partner. They will discuss the context of their holistic experience and their challenges, and share recommendations that could help others make a relevant use of amfori BEPI.

Anwarul Islam, General Manager, Pacific Jeans Group
Xiuming Guo, Executive Deputy Director, CSR-CESA
Yolanda Kwok, Network Representative in Greater China, amfori
Annette Koch, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Gerry Weber

Moderator: Bruno Guemes, Senior Product Operations Expert (BEPI), amfori

Q

Presentation “amfori BEPI: A Key Component of your Successful Due Diligence Journey”

During its first year of existence, amfori BEPI has gained a meaningful place in the amfori Sustainability Platform.
Designed for members, non BEPI users and external audiences, this session aims to highlight the importance of amfori BEPI within the platform and how it efficiently drives practical environmental improvements throughout one’s supply chain.
The presentation will be supported by real-life examples shared by CESA – an important partner in China, a number of amfori members and a business partner. They will discuss the context of their holistic experience and their challenges, and share recommendations that could help others make a relevant use of amfori BEPI.

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10:35

Coffee Break

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11:05

Panel Discussion 'amfori BSCI: 20 Years of Key Learnings on Social Due Diligence'
Q

Panel Discussion “amfori BSCI: 20 Years of Key
Learnings on Social Due Diligence”

In the 20 years of its existence, amfori BSCI has evolved from a compliance system to a Human Rights Social Programme. As such, it has progressively contributed to improving working conditions of its member companies.
One thing we’ve realised throughout these years is that it can be hard to detect and understand issues in an already complexified social world.
In this panel, together with its members and their business partners, amfori will go through the amfori BSCI evolution, their collaborative efforts as well as the next challenges to address.

Luke Smithan, Manager and fashion sector lead at Kumi Consulting Ltd (Germany)
Eftelya Akgun, Human Resources Assistant Expert, Tuzluca Tekstil (Turkey)
Tanya Todd, Manager, CTC Ethical Sourcing, Canadian Tire Corporation (Canada)

Moderator: Elif Kalan, Senior Product Operations Expert (BSCI), amfori

Q

Panel Discussion “amfori BSCI: 20 Years of Key
Learnings on Social Due Diligence”

In the 20 years of its existence, amfori BSCI has evolved from a compliance system to a Human Rights Social Programme. As such, it has progressively contributed to improving working conditions of its member companies.
One thing we’ve realised throughout these years is that it can be hard to detect and understand issues in an already complexified social world.
In this panel, together with its members and their business partners, amfori will go through the amfori BSCI evolution, their collaborative efforts as well as the next challenges to address.

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12:00

Panel Discussion 'amfori Speak4Change: De-risking through effective Grievance Mechanism and Remediation'
Q

Panel Discussion “amfori Speak4Change: De-risking
through effective Grievance Mechanism and Remediation”

This year, the amfori Speak for Change Programme has developed into an official amfori service following the launch of the pilot project in May 2021. During the first launches in Türkiye, Bangladesh and India, amfori has successfully managed to reach half of the membership and bring the programme to their business partners locally.
How does amfori enable its members to remediate the cases received in the programme in collaboration with external experts? How can members use those results and data analytics to de-risk their supply chain and prevent bigger issues later on?
These questions and more will be addressed in the panel “amfori Speak4Change: De-risking through effective Grievance Mechanism and Remediation.”

Beatriz Bayo, Director of CSR, Mango
Ines Kämpfer, CEO, Centre for Children Rights

Moderator: Laura Wauters, Sustainability Expert, amfori

Q

Panel Discussion “amfori Speak4Change: De-risking
through effective Grievance Mechanism and Remediation”

This year, the amfori Speak for Change Programme has developed into an official amfori service following the launch of the pilot project in May 2021. During the first launches in Türkiye, Bangladesh and India, amfori has successfully managed to reach half of the membership and bring the programme to their business partners locally.
How does amfori enable its members to remediate the cases received in the programme in collaboration with external experts? How can members use those results and data analytics to de-risk their supply chain and prevent bigger issues later on?
These questions and more will be addressed in the panel “amfori Speak4Change: De-risking through effective Grievance Mechanism and Remediation.”

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13:00

Lunch

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14:30

Panel Discussion 'Due Diligence in Natural Disasters Impacted Areas: a Focus on Responsible Purchasing Practices'
Q

Panel Discussion “Due Diligence in Natural Disasters
Impacted Areas: a Focus on Responsible
Purchasing Practices”

While human rights and environmental due diligence is about preventing harm, it also needs to adjust to changing circumstances.
Natural disasters such as earthquakes are external factors that might be difficult to anticipate. When they do occur, however, they need to be factored into a company’s due diligence process and will most likely result in an update to the company’s Risk Assessment.
This session will share practical experiences of supply chain partners in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that shook Türkiye in February 2023.
The session will also draw lessons on what it means to do due diligence in natural disasters impacted areas with a strong emphasis on the need to conduct responsible purchasing practices.

Ali Cevani, Board Member, Yıltem Konfeksiyon (Turkey)
Elif Arabacıoğlu, Quality Assurance Manager, Metro AG (Turkey)
Ayeşegül Yalcin Eriş, Deputy General Coordinator, ASAM (Association for the Migrants and Asylum Seekers)
Muge Tuna, Network Representative in Tukey, amfori

Moderator: Valentina Bolognesi, Senior Advocacy & Engagement Advisor, amfori

Q

Panel Discussion “Due Diligence in Natural Disasters
Impacted Areas: a Focus on Responsible
Purchasing Practices”

While human rights and environmental due diligence is about preventing harm, it also needs to adjust to changing circumstances.
Natural disasters such as earthquakes are external factors that might be difficult to anticipate. When they do occur, however, they need to be factored into a company’s due diligence process and will most likely result in an update to the company’s Risk Assessment.
This session will share practical experiences of supply chain partners in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that shook Türkiye in February 2023.
The session will also draw lessons on what it means to do due diligence in natural disasters impacted areas with a strong emphasis on the need to conduct responsible purchasing practices.

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15:30

Panel Discussion 'Vulnerable Workers in Asia – going beyond mandatory Compliance'
Q

Panel Discussion “Vulnerable Workers in Asia – going beyond mandatory Compliance"

The challenges of migration in Asia can only be tackled through cooperation of government, businesses and multiple stakeholders. Among all, businesses have the heavy responsibility of implementing all rules, regulations and best practices to protect migrants in global supply chains.
As an international business association focusing on driving responsible trade and sustainable supply chains for over 40 years, amfori continuously supports members in engaging their suppliers/producers in sourcing countries across Asia.
Migrants in and from this region are at the heart of this regional trade, therefore, their rights should be properly protected.
Participants will discuss a practical approach to addressing this workforce migration trend. It will shed light on what stakeholders can do to break gender lens on migrant workforces and share ideas to facilitate women empowerment in this context.

Representative, International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Phoebe Ewen, Human Rights Manager, Woolworths Group (Australia)
Saiful Millat, Network Representative in Bangladesh, amfori 

Moderator: Joyce Chau, Director Asian Pacific, amfori

Q

Panel Discussion “Vulnerable Workers in Asia – going beyond mandatory Compliance"

The challenges of migration in Asia can only be tackled through cooperation of government, businesses and multiple stakeholders. Among all, businesses have the heavy responsibility of implementing all rules, regulations and best practices to protect migrants in global supply chains.
As an international business association focusing on driving responsible trade and sustainable supply chains for over 40 years, amfori continuously supports members in engaging their suppliers/producers in sourcing countries across Asia.
Migrants in and from this region are at the heart of this regional trade, therefore, their rights should be properly protected.
Participants will discuss a practical approach to addressing this workforce migration trend. It will shed light on what stakeholders can do to break gender lens on migrant workforces and share ideas to facilitate women empowerment in this context.

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16:20

Coffee Break

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16:40

Fireside Chat 'Tackling Forced Labour in Global Supply Chain – a Sisyphean Task?'
Q

Fireside Chat “Tackling Forced Labour in Global
Supply Chain – a Sisyphean Task?”

EU legislation that will ban products made from forced labour is coming. In a fireside chat hosted by Stuart Newman, Advocacy and Engagement Advisor at amfori, Matt Friedman, CEO at The Mekong Club will discuss how importers (members), and suppliers, can adjust to this new reality.

Matt Friedman, CEO, The Mekong Club
Stuart Newman, Senior Advocacy and Engagement Advisor, amfori

Q

Fireside Chat “Tackling Forced Labour in Global
Supply Chain – a Sisyphean Task?”

EU legislation that will ban products made from forced labour is coming. In a fireside chat hosted by Stuart Newman, Advocacy and Engagement Advisor at amfori, Matt Friedman, CEO at The Mekong Club will discuss how importers (members), and suppliers, can adjust to this new reality.

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17:20

Conclusions