ILO presents the book “Making a difference is good business”

In order to encourage conversation about good business practices and their relationship with human rights, the International Labor Organization (ILO), within the framework of the CERALC project, organized a Workshop called “Business and Human Rights: Strengthening Narrative Coverage of Good Practices” for journalists active in the business, economic and financial media from nine Latin American countries.

Of 96 applications to participate in the workshop, 15 were selected and, finally, 13 texts were published in the book “Making a difference is good business. Journalistic Chronicles on Business and Human Rights ”that was presented on Tuesday, November 16 at a virtual public event.

During the opening of the activity, the Regional Director of the ILO for Latin America and the Caribbean, Vinicius Pinheiro, said, “This book is a reflection on how responsible business conduct is in the day-to-day of the world of work. Companies, workers’ organizations and governments can do a lot to change the lives of working people in the region ”.

For her part, Olga Orozco, Head of the CERALC-ILO Project, indicated “the furrow that we intend to cultivate was carved by 13 journalists with considerable experience who ventured to study, investigate and write living stories about people who have come across the fate of to find companies that have changed their lives, in adherence to principles and values ​​that make them different and that have a commitment to human rights ”.

The chronicles that are part of the book reflect that responsible business conduct is not a matter of one or the other, but rather that it is an issue “where we all can contribute to improve the common environment that we have, so that we hope more and more business organizations join in and reflect that the business-human rights relationship is not a risk but rather an opportunity, ”said Orozco.

The workshop, held between September and October 2021, provided journalists with tools on topics such as human rights including labor rights, social journalism, corporate communication, responsible business conduct and narrative structures. The workshop was facilitated by the journalist Fernando Francia, who also edited and compiled the final works in book form.

During the event, the three most outstanding stories were also awarded: First place, “Opportunity” by the journalist María del Pilar Martínez (Mexico); Second Place, “One Hundred Years” by the journalist Luis Autalán (Argentina) and Third, “Crazy Girl” by the journalist Miriam Lasso (Panama). Likewise, the following honorable mentions were awarded: “The Forgotten” by the journalist Fernando Muñoz Sánchez (Costa Rica) and “A humble home that is turned off” by the journalist Jair Zevallos Morón (Peru).

Similarly, Pedro Américo, ILO Director for Mexico and Cuba, indicated “Companies have the enormous potential to strengthen good practices of responsible business conduct to demonstrate how important it is to make a difference from business in the world” .