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Eventually, after 7 years, he had saved enough money - 400 Euros, to start a business partnership with Arun Mehta - his nephew who wanted to sell the diamonds that my dad was cutting. So they started a company called: B Arunkumar, which is presently Rosy Blue. Now you will probably think, why this story. Although the example of my father's exploited and humble beginning turned out to be a successful and happy life; not every exploited child will have the same fate. We must agree that children should not be exploited in any circumstances. Yet children's rights are a very complex issue which needs an umbrella approach that takes into account the range of cultural, political, economic and educational factors of a society. The time for children is now!
Children's rights were ranked as the third most important human rights issue for 2012 by the Institute for Human Rights and Business. Children under 18 years account for almost one third of the world's population. In many countries, children and youth make up almost 50% of the national population. As a businessman but also as a father and grandfather I want to take my responsibility up as every excluded child represents a missed opportunity. When society fails to protect its children it loses the social, cultural and economic contributions they could have made.
There is no discussion that companies in all regions and for decades have made important contributions to the rights of children and their well-being- often in the form of philanthropic initiatives that support, for example, education and health. At the same time, abuses still continue in all countries.
Times have changed and philanthropy is no longer enough. Now that the United Nations in 2011 has explicitly recognized corporate responsibility to respect human rights with the Ruggie framework and ISO 26000 highlights the need for special attention to vulnerable groups including children, companies must take steps to ensure that they are also respecting children's rights in their direct operations, in their supply chain and in communities they impact. Let me be very clear, I don't want to highlight a philanthropic point of view in defining CSR for Rosy Blue. When I hear companies speak about all the social projects they support or their corporate giving policy, I think that is great but I think that is a normal thing to do, the more you earn the kinder you need to be. And maybe a company will start with looking for a more strategic approach in their philanthropy activities.... and that is all fine too but I see clearly another quite challenging picture when implementing a child rights perspective in your operations.
Can you give a concrete example?
Let me ask you a question? What is the right approach? Let me share 2 examples of different companies A and B. Company A uses all different unethical methods to maximize profits including hiring children without any protection and exploiting them. Yet supports philanthropic initiatives to proof to the outside world that they do care and take responsibility. Company B follows strictly the law and international guidelines. It has no child labor or exploitation and manages its operations
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