The Global Compact Network Australia, in collaboration with Allens, invites you to the 6th Australian Dialogue on Bribery and Corruption.

The theme of the dialogue is responsible business conduct through integrated risk management.

The Dialogue offers participants an opportunity to hear from international and national leaders in anti-bribery and corruption, and compliance and governance, speak about the benefits of implementing a comprehensive approach to managing risk.

About the Australian Dialogue on Bribery and Corruption

The ‘hardening’ of soft law – such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – into legislative requirements like mandatory due diligence means that businesses are facing increasing expectations when it comes to responsible conduct. Global frameworks such as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 and Principle 10 of the UN Global Compact direct businesses to work against corruption in all its forms. This is with the aim to create and maintain peaceful and inclusive societies where there is access to justice for all, and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions. Critically, SDG16 and its targets underpin the successful achievement of the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. An inherent link between SDG 16 and all other SDGs, and Principle 10 and the other Principles of the Global Compact, mean that to act on corruption, businesses also need to mitigate human rights and environmental risks.

Just as businesses take stock of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, activism and enforcement activities are highlighting the convergence of anti-bribery and corruption, human rights sanctions, and modern slavery issues. When bribery and corruption are viewed solely through a compliance and risk management lens, their intersection with other issues, such as human rights and environmental harms, and the potential for common solutions, can be obscured. This convergence highlights the importance of businesses implementing cogent and coherent adequate procedures across a range of compliance areas.

Building on last year’s exploration of the intersections between anti-bribery and corruption and human rights agendas, the 2021 Dialogue offers practical insights into implementing a holistic approach to risk.

The event will be held under the Chatham House rule.

We hope you will join us for this important and timely discussion. If you have any questions, please email us at secretariat@unglobalcompact.org.au.