Charting the Course - December 2024

 Dear Friend,  As we approach the end of the year, we want to express our deep gratitude to you all—from our Spotlight in Diversity to our Flagship Summer Conference, your partnership has been critical to advancing human rights. Looking to 2025, we look forward to further building our community grounded in shared values that prioritize equity and justice. Together, we’ll explore ways to dismantle barriers to access to capital, promote environmental sustainability, advance the development and deployment of responsible technology, and uphold dignity in the workplace. We wish you a restful and energizing holiday—and look forward to continuing the fight with you next year. Warmly, The Business and Human Rights Team

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

NYC COMPTROLLER BRAD LANDER WILL KEEP PUSHING FOR DIVERSE INVESTMENT MANAGERS 'REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS IN WASHINGTON'

On Tuesday, December 17, RFK Human Rights President Kerry Kennedy spoke at the 10th anniversary of the FundWomen program, which promotes capital flows to diverse, female-led funds. Hosted by 100 Women in Finance and NYSE CEO Lynn Martin, Kerry spoke with New York City Comptroller Brad Lander about the critical role of diversity in achieving target returns for stakeholders through initiatives like emerging manager programs.  Read more about the conversation in Pensions & Investments →  

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

#NOEXCUSE FOR U.S. INVESTORS: ADDRESSING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN THE WORLD OF WORK

As we await the impacts of the new administration’s economic policies, institutional investors and asset managers can strengthen their portfolios by proactively addressing gender-based violence and harassment within both their workplaces and investments.  Learn more about the risks and how to address them →  

UPCOMING EVENTS

• June 9–12, 2025—2025 RFK Compass Summer Investors Conference:Our 2025 flagship conference will convene investment-decision makers—including leading institutional investors and fund managers—for three days of meaningful conversation and connection at the Kennedy Compound and Chatham Bars Inn. Fill out the form here to indicate your interest in joining us next year, or listen to reflections from attendees of this year's conference. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• Defending Human Rights During Trump 2.0: Stopping Deportation Through Emergency Federal Court Litigation Alongside Community Organizing—On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, the ACLU of Louisiana, and the Southeast Dignity Not Detention Coalition hosted a webinar to explain how emergency federal court litigation together with community organizing can be used to defend immigrant communities during the incoming Trump administration.
• Our November Edition of Charting the Course—Learn about continued commitment to build a more just, inclusive, and equitable economy.
• Defending Human Rights at Home: VP of US Advocacy and Litigation Anthony Enriquez on the Work Ahead of Us—Learn more about how you can fit into the movement to end mass incarceration in the US.
• Our October Edition of Charting the Course—Catch up on our October edition with Saru Jayaraman, One Fair Wage President.
• Behind the Headlines: The Urgency of Decarceration in the Fight for Climate Justice—Hurricane Milton left over 28,000 incarcerated people trapped in some of the most flood-prone areas. When natural disasters hit, incarcerated people are left without medical care, food, and water supplies, exposing incarcerated people to risk of serious harm, including death.
• Our September Edition of Charting the Course—Catch up on the September edition with our VP of U.S. Advocacy & Litigation, Anthony Enriquez.
• RFK Human Rights Co-Hosts the first Connective Capital Consortium—Held at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference, this event’s panels explored the shifting tides in the DEI space, the role of empowering diverse, emerging managers, and expanding wealth allocation opportunities to Black entrepreneurs and founders.
• Building an Inclusive AI-Driven World—AI is reshaping the economy and how we think about labor. A collaborative effort from policymakers, businesses and investors is crucial to actively address the potential risks of AI. 

FROM OUR NETWORK

• On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, RFK Human Rights Board Member and Director of the Center for Business and Human Rights at NYU Stern, Michael Posner’s newest book, Conscience Incorporated was published. Using concrete examples, he offers a roadmap for how businesses can—and need to—take the lead in addressing human rights. 

BROUGHT TO YOU BY The Robert F. Kennedy Business and Human Rights team engages with a network of over 300 investors who collectively manage $7 trillion in global assets, as well as impact-driven companies, to embed human rights and social justice considerations into their operational practices and investment strategies. Their initiatives encompass a variety of focus areas, including responsible technology, just transitions, equitable capital access, and the advancement of inclusive economies.

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