The Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition (KP SCS) organized a webinar on October 20, 2021, the second in the ‘We Need to Talk About Diamonds’ campaign. This webinar specifically provided the context for the release of the KP CSC’s Call for Action which outlined four areas where companies can focus their improvements. The actions range from updating the language used to describe diamonds in the marketplace to implementing programs at diamond mines that aim to protect and support communities.
Webinar presenters included representatives from KPCSC member organizations, a human rights and due diligence expert, and a retail member of the jewelry industry. One-hundred and ninety people registered, reflecting a broad range of stakeholder groups within the diamond and jewelry industries as well as diamond-affected communities.
As you watch and listen, you’ll hear several arguments explaining why change to current practices is essential.
“Real care is demonstrated by real engagement between those who mine and sell diamonds– and those who live where diamonds are mined. Consumers have made it clear that they care about the realities, good and bad, attached to the diamonds they purchase. Affected communities have more than done their part by bringing these issues into the light, but these problems are not theirs to monitor, mitigate, fix or prevent– they are industry’s responsibility.
The diamond industry exists at the whim of consumer demand and confidence. Bad behavior by any member threatens all members, just as that bad behavior impacts the wellbeing of affected communities and ecosystems.”
– Shamiso Mtisi, Coordinator of the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition (KP CSC) and Deputy Director at the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA).
You can find key quotes from the session below and watch the recording (with English/French subtitles) here:
CONTACT THE KP CSC FOR FURTHER ENGAGEMENT, via info@kpcivilsociety.org
Key takeaways from the webinar by our panelists:
