This week, we examined our shared objective to rebuild better systems of work, looked at ways to improve visibility for marginalised groups and explored how to turn challenges into opportunities with the SDGs as a roadmap.

Even before the pandemic, the world was not on track to achieve SDG 8 and the 2030 Agenda.

Obstacles, such as increased poverty and inequality, and a lack of trust in governments and institutions, have all magnified the impact of the pandemic and have stalled many efforts in ensuring decent work and economic growth.

By shining a light on these issues, we call on the global business community to take action.

As we conclude our Spotlight Series, there is a consensus that decent work can no longer be the exception, but the standard.

It is clear that the principles at the core of SDG 8, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for everyone, cut across the 2030 Agenda, and must guide our efforts.

As Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, reminded us earlier today, especially in the time of COVID-19 recovery, “It is time to shift mindsets away from only short-term economic profit to long-term thinking that anticipates risks and democratizes opportunities for decent work”.

We have heard from expert panelists and global leaders whose experience at local, national, regional and international levels all help guide the way forward.

I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight some clear themes coming out of this week.

First, “leaving no one behind” and an inclusive approach to the future of work are essential.

As we have recently seen, several positive global developments have occurred. One example of which is the reduction of child labour. While progress is being made, this problem is still significant: Millions children are still involved in child labor, and a substantial portion are working under dangerous conditions. Another example is the uproar of migrant workers working on stadiums for the 2022 Qatar Football World Cup. While the moral support they receive by teams threatening to forfeit the tournament is admirable, it is unfortunately just one more example of both the scale and the public relevance of this problem.

The impact of a growing population and increased globalisation brings both responsibilities and opportunities for the business sector. In the quest for sustainable employment as the world starts returning to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that no one is left behind in the recovery. This will require a rights-based approach to provide access to public services as well as for social protection. Fragile and conflict-affected contexts have been hard hit, with the potential to create persistent islands of poverty and insecurity.

It is a common misconception that SDG 8 only applies to developing countries. Robotisation can create new jobs, but on the other hand can replace repetitive and often lower paid jobs, posing a risk to vulnerable employment groups. Furthermore, we know that a majority of the global workforce lack safe and secure employment, regardless of where they are from.

Beyond the risk of unemployment or non formalised employment practices lies the challenges of forced labour. Millions of people are still trapped in various forms of ‘Modern Slavery’. This mostly occurs in industries such as agriculture, construction, domestic work, manufacturing, and mining.

In order to rebuild the trust required to advance towards decent work and economic growth, we must make laws and institutions work for people. A people-centred approach is needed to empower justice and to promote equitable outcomes. Corruption is a key threat to this trust, being both a growing driver of discontent and a challenge to sustainable employment. Weak governance is associated with lower growth, investment, and tax revenue collection — and with high inequality and social exclusion. We need to combat it through improved prevention, detection and prosecution to increase effectiveness and public trust.

Secondly, businesses must strive to create a workforce capable of adapting to changing environments. This can be achieved by focusing on programs that stimulate learning and professional development. Businesses that succeed in this area can not only help employees adapt to changing working environments, but research shows that investing in developing human capital ultimately has a positive impact on the bottom line.

Third and lastly, sustainable investing is crucial. The gap to finance SDG 8 and the other Global Goals can only be closed if the financial instruments offered to investors are trustworthy and easy to understand. Lenders must be able to assess whether an investment project is consistent with their own objectives, financial or otherwise.

If used wisely — to increase human capital, to invest sustainably and to weed out corruption and weak governance — these activities can help us transition from a global crisis to an opportunity for progress, but only if businesses are bold and in seizing this opportunity, and do so in a timely manner.

Ultimately, the challenge we face is one of leadership. We need to be bold, innovative and committed to achieve the Global Goals.

We all must assume ownership so that no one is left behind.

It is clear that a renewed commitment to collaboration, centered around the 2030 Agenda, is needed to tackle challenges that are too great for any of us to solve alone.

It is in this spirit that we organised the 2021 Business for Peace Spotlight Series and our decisions on economic recovery, climate change, and international trade and cooperation will shape decent work and economic growth for generations to come.

Through these choices, we have a unique opportunity to shape a more prosperous and peaceful world.

It’s the best investment we can make.

Mohamed Abdullahi is speaking on The Hidden Workforce panel, 27 May from 13:00–14:00 CEST.

This panel is part of our online Spotlight Series focused on UN SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Opportunity.

Visit our Spotlight Series website to view the full programme.

About The Speaker

Mohamed Abdullahi is a former refugee from Dadaab, Kenya. He and his family fled Mogadishu to Dadaab when he was fifteen years old.

In Dadaab, he had the opportunity to get excellent education and many other privileges that he did not have before, and he seized them. In high school, his favorite subject was Computer Science; he always wondered how the computers work and he passed with credentials. This helped him get the opportunity to teach Computer Science to his community for two years in Waberi High School.

Mohamed wanted to continue with the Computer Science studies, but he could not afford the tuition fees. Even though he wanted to work, he could not get a normal job or live in the big cities because of his refugee status, which limited his right to get a job. Therefore, Mohamed turned to the only thing he could: work online. In late 2019, he decided to return to Somalia to start an ecommerce business where he runs it to this day. He is also a top-rated freelancer at Upwork.

Read more about Mohamed’s take on SDG #8 and more below!

Interview Highlights

1. What excites you most about participating in our Spotlight Series?

Talking about the my past experience of search for work and my journey as a refugee is exciting as it is a great platform to spread knowledge. I am also excited to share that with the world help others understand what it feels like.

2. What motivates you to help tackle SDG #8 on Decent Work and Inclusive Economic Growth?

Helping offer solution to the magnitude of problems that the hidden workforce faces in quest to find better jobs.

3. How does your work contribute to achieving SDG #8?

I believe that its a significant contribution to SDG #8 as it shows independence, highlights real problems that we faced, how it’s important to come over these challenges and why it’s important to give chance the hidden workforce.

4. In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge in the attainment of SDG #8?

Work permits, government policies and travel restrictions.

5. Why is it important to spread awareness around SDG #8?

There is a lot at stake. The hidden workforce are skilled, talented and they can offer as much as other people. This must be recognised.

6. How can others take part and get involved in creating meaningful change?

They can advocate for the voiceless, actively take part in the campaigns like this one, and most importantly, help change the policies that are in place now.

7. What are the top three issues you would like to see highlighted in post-COVID recovery?

Travel allowance

Introduction of work permits

Introducing work forces to alternative markets

A Nobel-winning economist, the UN & global CEOs? Join us 26–28 May!

“Decent work and economic growth for everyone is one step in the right direction to social justice for all” — Rahwa Tilahun Yohaness

Rahwa Yohanness will be moderating Role of Governments and Businesses in Building Back Better, 27 May from 15:00–16:00 CEST.

This interview is part of our online Spotlight Series focused on UN SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Opportunity.

Visit our Spotlight Series website to view the full programme.

About The Speaker

Rahwa T Yohaness is a public speaker, activist, social critic, and the founder and director of Manifold, an organisation promoting diversity and positive changes in society, focusing on empowering and creating opportunities and spaces for Black and minority women and youth in Norway.

Rahwa works as the Partnerships and Events coordinator at African Innovation Week and is an event producer at the Oslo Afro Arts Festival. She organises and hosts academic, cultural, social and community events in collaboration with academics, artists, professionals, and activists in the diaspora.

Read below to learn what drives Rahwa and other SDGs she works towards through her work.

Interview Highlights

1. What excites you most about participating in our Spotlight Series?

I am excited about the the ideas and solutions that will come out of it. I am happy to be a part of a socially conscious, future- and solution oriented program. It is very timely and it is needed, especially in times like these.

2. What motivates you to help tackle SDG #8 on Decent Work and Inclusive Economic Growth?

Social justice is an important value for me, and decent work and economic growth are closely linked to justice and equality. People in the margins are the ones that suffer the most in times of job scarcity and economic decline. Our society will not be just and fair before all people, regardless of gender, sexuality, race or (dis)ability, have access to decent work without discrimination or exploitation and are as economically safe as everyone.

3. How does your work contribute to achieving SDG #8?

One of Manifold’s core values is making opportunities and knowledge accessible. In Norway, opportunities don’t just mean access to work but also access to spaces and people. We also know that the barriers to economic growth, for example, are much more complex than what we see at face value. Working to lay the foundations for long-lasting impact is where we invest our efforts by raising awareness and challenging biases, working against discrimination, amplifying minority youth and womxn’s voices, and ensuring everyone are represented and speaking for themselves.

4. In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge in the attainment of SDG #8?

Aside from the obvious challenges the pandemic poses, I think we have some values decision-makers should reconsider. I have been in rooms where decisions about whom to give an opportunity to were made, and each time, money was prioritised over social impact. Another problem is how policies and solutions are made and implemented; the processes seldom include those affected.

5. Why is it important to spread awareness around SDG #8?

Justice and equality are closely linked to SDG #8, working towards that goal is one step in the right direction to making that a reality.

6. How can others take part and get involved in creating meaningful change?

I believe that everyone can do something in their respectful homes, work or areas of expertise. You don’t have to be directly affected by something for you to show compassion or show solidarity with others. Learn, be mindful and do what you can where you can.

7. What are the top three issues you would like to see highlighted in post-COVID recovery?

Environmental justice

Equal access to health care

Social justice

8. Is there another SDG you are working towards in your professional or personal life? What action are you taking to support it?

Gender equality: I engage in gender and racial equality activism. I work with different activists, scholars, artists and organisations to find solutions, show solidarity and create safe spaces to come together. We also work on expanding knowledge and challenging existing structures. Our work at African Innovation Week picks different SDGs for every annual conference, last year, we had numbers 1, 5, 4, 8, 9 and 17 on the agenda.

9. What and who inspires you with awe?

The women and activists I work with inspire me through their dedication, determination and actions.

A Nobel-winning economist, the UN & global CEOs? Join us 26–28 May!

Kjersti Løken Stavrum is speaking on Stakeholder Capitalism in the Post-Pandemic World: Joseph Stiglitz, 26 May from 15:00–16:00 CEST.

This interview is part of our online Spotlight Series focused on UN SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Opportunity.

Visit our Spotlight Series website to view the full programme and register for events.

About The Speaker

Kjersti Løken Stavrum is CEO of the Tinius Trust, the controlling owner of Schibsted ASA. She is president of Norwegian PEN and head of the Norwegian government’s Freedom of Expression Commission.

Stavrum has a background as journalist and editor and has previously held the office as secretary general of the Norwegian Press Association.

She is a Graduate Political Scientist and has a Master’s degree in Management.

Read more about why Kjersti is keen to spread awareness about SDG #8, her natural passion to help solve challenges and more below.

Interview Highlights

1. What excites you most about participating in our Spotlight Series?

To take a deep dive into new thoughts and perspectives on current issues facing Decent Work.

2. What motivates you to help tackle SDG #8 on Decent Work and Inclusive Economic Growth?

It’s simple: our common future. Decent work equals decent living.

3. Where does your passion come from?

Passion is a part of my DNA. Whatever it is I am working on, I apply my passion and conviction.

4. How does your work contribute to achieving SDG #8?

At Tinius Trust, we want to inspire and execute best practices to ensure a top standard for the future of work.

5. In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge in the attainment of SDG #8?

To level the work field among those who only “work for a living” and those who have the privilege of a purpose-filled workday.

6. Why is it important to spread awareness around SDG #8?

For most people, work define who we are, our quality of life, our network and thus shapes our collective future.

7. How can others take part and get involved in creating meaningful change?

By introducing new expectations, benchmarks and regulations into the public sphere.

8. What are the top three issues you would like to see highlighted in post-COVID recovery?

Quality of life

Everyday business dealings and their impact

Ethically building brands

9. What and who inspires you with awe?

People who see what everyone else sees, but dare to think and share their thoughts that no one else has.

Fiona Reynolds is moderating Rethinking Systems of Decent Work panel, 26 May from 10:45–12:00 CET.

This panel is part of our online Spotlight Series focused on UN SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Opportunity.

Visit our Spotlight Series website to view the full programme and register for events.

About The Speaker

Fiona Reynolds is CEO of Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). PRI is a UN supported organisation, with over 3,500 signatories who collectively represent over US $100 trillion in AUM. She is responsible for PRI’s global operations. Appointed in 2013, Fiona has 25 years’ experience in the financial services and pension sector. She joined PRI from the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST), where she spent seven years as CEO.

Fiona serves on the Board of the U.N. Global Compact, where she is Chair of the Financial Services Commission into Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking and is now a member of the Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking Global Steering Committee. Fiona is also a member of the International Integrated Reporting Council, the Global Advisory Council on Stranded Assets at Oxford University, the Advisory Board for the Green Investment Principles for the Belt and Road and the Steering Committee for Climate Action 100+.

Read about Fiona´s motivation to help advance SDG#8, her thoughts on post-COVID recovery, her working class roots and more below.

Interview Highlights

1. What excites you most about participating in our Spotlight Series?

The opportunity to talk about a topic that I am passionate about: ensuring that people have decent and meaningful employment. This is particularly important when thinking about supply chains and the transition to a zero carbon economy.

2. What motivates you to help tackle SDG #8 on Decent Work and Inclusive Economic Growth?

There is far too much exploitation of workers, particularly in developing countries. We need to value all workers, ensure they have safe working conditions and that the basic wage is a living wage. We need to end poverty and ensuring Decent Work is the way to do that.

3. Where does your passion come from?

I am a woman from a working class background. Without strong social protections from governments and unions ensuring good conditions, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

4. How does your work contribute to achieving SDG #8?

At Principles of Responsible Investment we focus on the role of investors and how they can ensure that the companies they invest in are protecting human rights.

5. In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge in the attainment of SDG #8?

Corruption and those who put profit over people.

6. Why is it important to spread awareness around SDG #8?

We are all human, we all deserve respect and we deserve to be compensated fairly for our work. Work can bring great dignity and meaning to people’s lives.

7. How can others take part and get involved in creating meaningful change?

Ask questions.

8. What are the top three issues you would like to see highlighted in post-COVID recovery?

A just transition.

Worker visibility in supply chains

Human rights — ensuring workers have access to safe working conditions and sick leave in case of illness due to Covid-19.

9. Is there another SDG you are working towards in your professional or personal life? What action are you taking to support it?

SDG #13: Climate change — We work on issues to related to people and impact on the planet.

10. What and who inspires you with awe?

Ordinary people who take action, who demonstrate and who make their voices heard.

What are the SDG Investor Maps?

Developed by SDG Impact, the SDG Investor Maps are tools that are focused on mobilising capital flow across the Global South.

Championed by the United Nations Development Programme, their objective is to provide localised insight into sectors and market conditions that advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Investor Maps ultimately serve as a guide to realising economic growth, promoting social reform, fostering environmental conservancy and building more transparent and resilient economies.

In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme Ghana, the Ministry of Finance Ghana and the International Chamber of Commerce Ghana, we recently held an online impact facilitation event focusing on the country results for Ghana. Take a look at the key takeaways below.

Key takeaways

1. The eight-step methodology behind the Maps identifies viable Investment Opportunity Areas (IOAs) and business models, supported by actionable data to guide investor decision-making.
2. The Investor Maps empower investors with data and insights to drive SDG-enabling investment on a large scale. The Maps provide stakeholders with information, data and specific investment opportunities.
3. In Ghana there are five main development and investment areas that are mutually beneficial for society and investors: agriculture, infrastructure, technology and communication, healthcare, and consumer goods.
4. Within the five development areas, twelve core IOAs in Ghana have been identified: investment in affordable irrigation systems and dams, scaling aquaculture and fish breeding, scaling up storage infrastructure and logistics services for grain value chains (including, e.g. maize, rice, cassava, yam), investment in upscaling of integrated farm operations and management systems, IoT and agribusiness analytics, construction of affordable housing, road construction & maintenance, up-scaling collection and recycling of electronic waste, investments in providing and upscaling sanitation services for unserved areas, affordable mobile internet hotspots for villages / schools / rural areas, developing and up-scaling systems for digitalization of patients’ health data and inventory & supplies, upscaling drones transportation and logistic solutions (e.g. medications to remote locations), and manufacturing and distribution of improved cooking stoves.
5. The results will be made available online for all investors to access as a one-stop-shop. Stay tuned!

Ultimately, these maps are uniquely positioned to unlock private capital to finance the SDGs. Currently, there are significant investment return opportunities in Ghana for investors within a short timeframe that benefit local and global stakeholders.

Curious to learn more? Read on to better understand how the SDG Investor Maps impact investments across the country.

The Investment Journey in Ghana

As Ghana continues to strengthen its advocacy for the SDGs, government and private sector cooperation is needed to encourage further investments aimed at turning global challenges into local business.

In recent years, Ghana has been a leading entry point into West Africa for well-established international businesses.These investors have come to Ghana because of the country’s stable democratic climate, strong resource pool, and known reputation for its ease of business. Here, they can invest, grow and thrive.

Investments are all about building relationships and relationships are all about trust. An investment is not a single event but is a mutual, and hopefully long-term partnership. Right now, this is Ghana’s approach to creating a strong economy while also creating social benefits for everyone in Ghana.

The Investment Journey in three steps

There are three key steps that we like to label as the “Investment Journey”.

The first is making the results of the Investor Maps available to the public, thus giving insight into important SDG-focused investment opportunities post COVID.

The second step involves taking a closer look at the main investment opportunity areas as laid out by the methodology of UNDP, as well as securing local stakeholder involvement. Here, roadblocks and needed policy changes to facilitate such investments are addressed.

Finally, bringing together investors and SDG entrepreneurs to usher new solutions aligned with the investment opportunity areas and the SDGs comprise the third step.

At Business for Peace, we see informed investments and committed businesses as critical in finding solutions to global challenges. With the SDG Investor Maps soon becoming a public good, it is now time for many more investors and businesses to step up to the plate to do their part.

Written by Edee Carey, Communications Manager at Business for Peace

SDG Investor Maps launch

Last December, we launched our first round of the SDG Investor Maps sessions together with our partners The United Nations Development Programme Nigeria and The International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria. These maps serve as a digital tool providing market intelligence on investment opportunities and related impact data to identify and increase Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aligned actionable investments in Nigeria.

The Nigeria SDG Investor Map thus maps the overlaps and gaps between public sector initiatives and private sector interest, aiming to facilitate more private-sector investment and public sector support for three SDG-enabling sectors that include renewable energy, agriculture, and healthcare.

We recently caught up with one of the moderators from this event, Ms Ibi Ogunbiyi, who hosted a breakout session focusing on the renewable energy sector in Nigeria.

Below, Ogunbiyi shares her key takeaways on the Investor Maps, the role the government plays in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and how the renewable energy landscape in Nigeria is shifting.

SDG Investor Maps: a win-win

By initiating constant and meaningful engagement with private sector investors and channelling market intelligence derived from the Maps to investors, and the outcome of stakeholder engagement to policy-makers, it seems to me that the overall rationale for the Maps is to ensure there is alignment between what the investment community requires to galvanise investments and what policy-makers and governments deliver by way of an enabling business and investment environment to attract and retain those investments.

Personally, I find the Maps will be a very welcome development for potential sponsors and investors in renewables projects in Nigeria that are constantly looking for ways to minimise due diligence costs and having access to credible information on investment opportunities.

From the presentations made by the Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget & National Planning, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs in Nigeriaand that by the Hon. Minister of Environment, and the representative of the Hon. Minister of Power during the Renewables break-out session, what was clear is that the Nigerian government remains committed to the realisation of the SDGs, and is directing considerable and commendable resources and effort to issuing and implementing the relevant policies towards this objective.

Policymaking with purpose

Notably, there are currently clear regulatory frameworks that govern licencing, charging of tariffs, exclusivity arrangements and compensation regime. The Mini-grid Regulations issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission are designed to promote investments in rural electrification and provides a framework for (i) engagement between mini-grid developers (off-grid electricity), community stakeholders and existing distribution companies, (ii) private retail tariff arrangements for certain operators; and (iii) compensation for developers in the event of operational expansion by the distribution company into licensed to cover the relevant community. There are also various financial and fiscal incentives available to investors (more recently through the Finance Acts of 2019, 2020 and 2021) such as tax exemptions and waivers for eligible projects.

More recently, the Federal Government launched the Solar Connection Intervention Facility, which is an initiative that aims to roll out 5 million new solar-based connections in communities that are not grid connected, through financing activities in the off-grid solar value chain activity. This is in addition to various other ongoing initiatives being undertaken in collaboration with various donor agencies.

Given the critical role that a robust, investor-friendly and consistent legal framework and an enabling business environment play in incentivising investments which promote sustainable development in the country, there can be no doubt that the attitude of the Nigerian government to policy making in the renewables sector is a step in the right direction. If this momentum is sustained, I am confident that an enabling regulatory climate will in the long-term enhance Nigeria’s chances of attracting a strong pipeline of investments in renewables projects.

Current realities in the Nigerian power sector are such that not much progress has been made with the attempt by the Federal Government to prioritise and promote the development of fourteen utility scale on-grid solar photovoltaic projects — for various political and commercial reasons including the impasse over the appropriate tariff levels and the scope and complexity of government support for the payment obligations of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company Plc, the government-owned counterparty to the power purchase agreements entered into with the project developers. It was thus acknowledged during the break-out session on Renewables that the myriad and complex macroeconomic, political and commercial issues beleaguering on-grid power supply in Nigeria, (both for thermal and renewable projects), make it ineluctable that off-grid renewable projects must be prioritised if the gross energy supply deficit is to be addressed in any impactful way in the slow and arduous journey towards resolving on-grid power issues in the country.

Bridging the energy gap

The break-out session on Renewables also identified that investment in Nigeria’s renewable energy market is not without challenges, such as exposure to illiquidity risks. The areas with poor grid infrastructure tend to be rural areas where most residents are low-income earners. Therefore, investing in off-grid technologies targeted at rural areas carries a significant bankability risk arising from the mismatch between the quantum of capital investments required relative to volume of collections. Accordingly, any potential renewable energy developer would only be willing to invest if there are assurances it would be able to raise and repay the necessary financing from project revenues.

Nonetheless, it was acknowledged that in order to drive sustainability by bridging the energy gap for unserved and underserved communities, investors in renewables projects must be focused on the SDGs and adopt a more developmental outlook in setting their commercial objectives. To do so, investors should be willing to adopt innovative measures to de-risk their investments, such as (i) accessing alternative sources of financing other than the traditional loans from commercial banks that are often characterised by shorter tenures and high interest rates; (ii) leveraging on available fiscal incentives; (iii) adopting innovative commercial structures.

Accessing donor support and grants provide a means for project developers to reduce project capex requirements. Project developers can access grants and technical assistance from multilateral agencies and through renewable energy initiatives supported by the Federal Government such as the Nigeria Electrification Project implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency in collaboration with the World Bank, African Development Bank and other partners.

In addition to existing fiscal incentives, the Federal Government can also play a role in de-risking investments through providing more sector specific fiscal incentives that are aimed at encouraging private sector investments. Other ways in which investors can de-risk investments by structuring projects in a way that they can be easily refinanced either through equity or concessionary debt.

The way forward

In all, the discussions during the Session were illuminating and insightful. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to rub minds with policymakers and investors and to see the different perspectives on how to propel the Nigerian renewables market forward, with the SDGs as a central goal. My hope and expectation is that this is the first in a long line of meaningful private sector engagements that will enhance the utility of the SDG Investor Maps and ultimately lead to more investments in credible and sustainable projects that are socially relevant and transformational.

About Ibi Ogunbiyi

Ogunbiyi graduated top of her class at the University of Ibadan and is currently a Partner at Olaniwun Ajayi Power and Infrastructure Practice. She has extensive experience in power acquisition and financing, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate and commercial law. Within the last decade, Ibi has been integral to many of Olaniwun Ajayi’s notable transactions in complex project financings, power and infrastructure project developments, power sector advisory, public-private partnerships, concessions, and corporate financings.

When we started developing the concept of Coffee for Peace as a business in 2008, we had been working on the ground and listening to the voices of the rural poor, specifically the challenges and the systemic impoverishment experienced by most farmers in the land-based, armed-conflicted areas of Mindanao.

Knowing our resource and time limitations in the field, we focused our attention on the coffee farmers.

We were aware of the many programmes encouraging farmers to produce and plant more coffee, but one thing was missing. The programmes were conceptualised in the offices of the funding organisations, lacking real consultation and deep listening on what the farmers actually need. In the end, the programmes were not the farmers’ project; they were the funders’ project. Despite the accomplishment reports of the officials, the people on the ground did not really embrace them as their own.

Coffee for Peace starts with listening. For us, listening is the first act of love. If we truly love the people, we ought to listen to them — with our ears, with our minds, with our hearts, and with our will.

We also listen to ourselves — what are lenses through which we listen, and what are resources we can access to respond to what we have heard.

We got involved by amplifying the voices of the farmers to the government. We accompanied the farmers’ spokespersons to many assemblies conducted or facilitated by various government and non-government organisations. We actively attended meetings, until they heard the farmers we were accompanying. We wrote proposals to work with the government and with other organisations by being their partner on the ground. In most cases, we served as project managers or consultants. We helped organise the farmers. We initiated trainings to bring them from the position of mere raw material suppliers to the position of being farmer entrepreneurs or ‘farmerpreneurs.’ We vouched for the farmers’ organisations as they received grants from the government. The government saw evidences of transparent, sustainable, and reproductive use of public funds entrusted to the farmers.

The training we provide are all framed in peace and reconciliation (PAR) principles and practices. The PAR training programme includes:

• the fundamentals of peacebuilding
• conflict transformation processes
• cross-cultural understanding
• inter-faith dialogue
• inclusive development

These trainings were conducted in such a way that the farmers would understand the complex concepts using development communications approaches.

Change did not happen overnight. In our experience working with the communities who partnered with us, it would take three years to introduce a new system of thinking and working — from harvesting, processing, to having a mindset of an entrepreneur, to becoming a peacebuilding community. A family or two would apply the way Coffee for Peace, then we see their neighbors embracing the principles and practices, then we see most of the community adopting the transformative process.

Our partnership with the government and other non-government organisations helped us accomplish beyond our own organisational capacities. To increase the livelihood sustainability of the community, we helped train them to receive larger grants from the government or investments from other businesses or institutions. Right now, we see this stage of their development as a stable foundation towards further inclusive development for the next generation.

Coffee for Peace is focusing now on each individual farmer to help enhance their natural gifts and acquired skills as ‘farmerpreneurs.’ Some of them are technically inclined. Some of them are good teachers. Some of them are good with numbers. We see many more talents and skills among many of them. We are seeing the best side of each farmer and we’re facilitating how important it is for each one to work with one another harmoniously. With this inclusive and holistic view of community development, we are more confident that they can move further towards achieving greater dreams.

One big corporation operating in a conflict-affected area said that since they worked with Coffee for Peace and with our twin organisation, PeaceBuilders Community, their budget for extra bodyguards and security system significantly decreased in over a year. They saved money integrating the culture of peace in their corporate conflict management system. They were also able to develop a good working relationship with the community with whom they used to have conflicts. The high-ranking government official who was sent by our national government to observe the conflict transformation processes in this case was so happy and gave a very positive report. He saw how the mix of business and peacebuilding became a model for inclusive development especially among communities in conflicted areas.

CFP, along with our twin organisation PBCI, are grateful and glad to see a peace-framed social business contribute to an increased harmony in the community in terms of family income, sustainable livelihood, relational harmony, and the pleasure of producing and drinking freshly brewed coffee.

For justice. For peace.

Joji Pantoja
President & CEO
Coffee for Peace, Inc.Davao City, Philippines

“Joji” Pantoja is a 2020 Oslo Business for Peace Award winner.

Abogado de derechos humanos y ganador del premio Business for Peace en 2015, Juan Andrés Cano, ha dedicado su carrera a entender el impacto del sector privado en los derechos humanos. El fundador de PeaceStartup y Business and Human Rights y CEO de Semilla, destaca la importancia de crear alianzas entre ONGs, gobiernos y el sector privado para proteger los derechos humanos. Iniciativas como esta demuestran que otra manera de hacer negocios es posible.

Esta entrevista está disponible al completo en inglés en nuestro canal de Youtube

¿Cómo ha afectado la pandemia a su trabajo?

Estamos acostumbrados a usar nuevas tecnologías, porque trabajamos en distintas ciudades: Barcelona, París, Bogotá… En lo que se refiere al día a día, no hemos notado muchos cambios en este sentido. Los viajes de negocios están cancelados ahora mismo, pero eso es positivo de alguna manera porque nos permite pasar más tiempo en casa.

Hemos podido mantener a todo el equipo porque nuestro trabajo está conectado con muchas de las cuestiones que ha generado el covid como la innovación o el impacto. El covid está siendo una especie de “experimento” para nuestras actividades. Anteriormente no habíamos trabajado directamente con temas de salud, pero siempre hemos trabajado con temas de cambio climático, desigualdad social, etc. En ese sentido nuestro trabajo sigue siendo el mismo.

¿Podría hablarnos del trabajo que realizan cada una de estas empresas?

La primera que me gustaría mencionar es Business & Human Rights. Se trata de una consultoría basada en España donde trabajamos con las empresas del Ibex 35 para comprender cómo sus actividades impactan los derechos humanos. Este impacto no siempre es evidente, especialmente para empresas europeas. Hace falta una perspectiva global para entender esta conexión.

Como resultado de la colaboración entre el sector privado, ONGs y el Estado para entender los impactos de las empresas en los derechos humanos, surgió PeaceStartup. Un vehículo para promover la colaboración entre estos actores, pero esta vez con una perspectiva local.

Finalmente, Semilla, con sede en Latinoamérica, se encarga de la gestión de activos y la recaudación de fondos para fomentar el crecimiento en la región. Trabajamos dentro del espacio de la inversión de impacto y de los ODS.

¿Puede hablarnos sobre la plataforma Better Together (“Mejor Juntos”) con la que colabora en respuesta a la pandemia?

Este es un buen ejemplo de cómo es posible trabajar juntos. El objetivo de esta plataforma es entender cómo diferentes actores están realizando colaboraciones que mantienen a la comunidad en el centro de la conversación. Normalmente este tipo de plataformas tienen un enfoque de “arriba hacia abajo”. Pero queremos entender cómo generar este tipo de colaboraciones desde “abajo hacia arriba.”

Queremos entender cómo todos estos actores están trabajando con las comunidades en respuesta al covid-19. Qué se está haciendo bien y cómo puede aplicarse en políticas públicas o en la actividad empresarial. Este es un momento clave para unirnos y entender qué es posible y cómo podemos hacer mejor las cosas.

¿Qué espera que cambie después de esta pandemia, tanto global como localmente?

Esta pandemia está siendo un experimento que va a ayudar a los ciudadanos globales a entender que todos estamos conectados, y no solamente por una economía global. Estamos pendientes de lo que pasa en el resto del mundo. Nos preocupamos los unos por los otros y nos orgullecemos de los logros e iniciativas mutuas.

El desarrollo sostenible, el medio ambiente, los derechos humanos, son asuntos globales. Tal vez esta sea una oportunidad para darnos cuenta de que necesitamos respuestas globales. En términos más específicos, vemos que esto es una oportunidad para que los inversores y el sector privado apuesten por inversiones sostenibles, asegurarse que los impactos están controlados, y que la solidez empresarial son parte de la estrategia de la empresa. Es una oportunidad para crear una nueva normalidad.

No todo el mundo habla sobre la conexión entre derechos humanos y empresas. ¿De dónde surge su interés por este tema y qué les diría a otros líderes empresariales sobre la importancia de la responsabilidad del sector privado durante la pandemia?

Yo soy abogado. Estudié derecho porque a través de la ley podemos luchar por la justicia. Pero todo abogado sabe que esto es de alguna forma una falacia. El resultado de la ley no es siempre la justicia. Sin embargo, los derechos humanos ofrecen un enfoque normativo que tiene el potencial de ser global. Los derechos humanos son para todas las personas, pero en la realidad no todas las personas tienen sus derechos asegurados.

Los derechos humanos ofrecen muchas posibilidades. Surgen en defensa de los derechos de los ciudadanos frente al Estado. Pero no todas las violaciones de derechos humanos las causa el Estado, a veces son las empresas. Las empresas son uno de los principales actores económicos con impacto global. Pero ese impacto se puede entender y controlar. Para mí este campo dentro los derechos humanos es un espacio desde el que lograr justicia con un impacto global para todos aquellos en la cadena de valor.

Las empresas tienen la oportunidad de usar el sistema de derechos humanos como referencia global, como un mínimo moral y ético que mantener en todas sus actividades. Y esta perspectiva resuena con muchos líderes del sector privado precisamente porque no implica necesariamente una perspectiva legal. Cada país tiene distintas leyes: Colombia, México y Noruega, todos tienen distintos gobiernos. Los derechos humanos presentan un mínimo que siempre debería estar ahí, da igual el país. Y esto es una oportunidad de coherencia y de comunicación para las empresas, que independientemente del país, pueden decir “yo protejo la privacidad, yo protejo la vida, la salud de mis empleados, mis consumidores y en mi cadena de suministro.” Pero aún tenemos mucho camino que recorrer.

Por ejemplo, a mí me apasiona el mundo de la inversión. Los inversores son el motor de las compañías y tienen la posibilidad de influenciarlas, especialmente si comprenden que sus inversiones pueden impactar los derechos humanos. Los inversores deberían pensar que esta es una nueva economía basada en el acuerdo ecológico. Necesitamos un acuerdo ecológico y socialmente justo. O incluso un nuevo acuerdo ecológico y de derechos humanos. Es una oportunidad para invertir sabiamente, pensando de forma local, y actuando de forma global.

¿Quieres colaborar con la iniciativa Better Together?

La plataforma Better Together (“Mejores Juntos”) quiere conocer tu historia. Si tu organización colabora con comunidades locales o conoces de alguna iniciativa local multi-actor que trabaje identificando las necesidades y prioridades de las comunidades, no dudes en ponerte en contacto.

The English version of this interview can be found here.

Business for Peace has always enjoyed gathering people and inspiring discussions. We have facilitated discussions at our annual Summit and locally at startup community MESH. We recognise businessworthy leaders with the Oslo Business for Peace Award. Since 2009, global business, global leadership, global gatherings have been our core. When March came, we were quick to do two things: ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, and cancel physical events.

Our vision is that all business leaders strive to improve society by creating value for all stakeholders in an ethical and responsible way. The mission, therefore, is to recognise, inspire, and accelerate businessworthy leadership. And this is how we did that this year:

Inspire

Naturally, this year was one no one could have predicted, but being online fueled engagement. In fact, this Medium account is a result of the year that has been. We needed an agile platform in which to share some of our most inspiring and insightful stories of the entire year. We were able to interview some of our Honourees across continents, and touch base with local businesses, too. One of the blessings in disguise for us was being able to talk to Honourees and inspirational business leaders globally, hosting webinars, and sitting in on panels about businessworthy leadership. We also called on the expertise of our partners for tools to help businesses be more inclusive. Inspiring is something we have woven into our fabric, committed to continue to showcase as many inspiring as many individuals and ideas as possible.

Accelerate

We started to accelerate businessworthy leadership through action. In October, we launched a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, the International Chamber of Commerce, and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation called Future of Business. The Future of Business’s aims, among other ambitions, to inspire, educate, and connect investors with entrepreneurs.

We also gathered our Honourees digitally for the first time ever. Their determination to make sure businesses did good despite Covid-19 was palpable. In fact, their drive and teamwork resulted in a call to action to build back better in the Global South. Twenty-six of our Honourees from around the world signed the call to action, and we are grateful to them for their commitment to accelerate the call to action.

Recognise

Through our partnerships and our Award Committee, we still were able to recognise business leaders changing the face of business. This year’s Honourees are three diverse, driven, peacebuilding leaders.

“They are role models to society and their peers, have earned stakeholders’ trust, and stand out as advocates,” says Per Saxegaard, Founder of the Business for Peace Foundation.

We hope to see them next year at our Summit, along with you as well. In keeping with adapting to the new circumstances, we are committed to holding our 2021 Summit, knowing that it will look very different and much of it will be digital-first.

With that, we want to make sure you save the dates! 26–27 May 2021, we will once again gather. We will once again discuss business, celebrate our Honourees, and inspire present and future leaders.

Until then, may you have a healthy holiday season.