ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY, DEC 5-7, 2022, REGISTRATION & AGENDA
Annual General Assembly
Please note registration for Day 1 & 2 is now closed.
The 2022 ICoCA Annual General Assembly will be the first in-person gathering of Members, Affiliates and Observers of the Association since 2019. The 2020 and 2021 AGA’s both took place online due travel restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As ICoCA Members, Affiliates and Observers have not had opportunity to meet in person for three years, this year’s Assembly will take place over three days to allow for more in-depth discussion and workshops. Days 1 and 2 are only open to Members, Affiliates, Observers and invited experts, while Day 3 is open to the general public.
Please note there is limited capacity in each of the rooms on Day 1, registrations for sessions will be accepted on a first come first served basis. If a session reaches room capacity, this option will no longer be available. If you register but your plans to attend change, we would be grateful if you could update us in the event any sessions do reach capacity.
We encourage you to book your travel and accommodation and apply for visas, if required, as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you in Geneva.
Hotels
ICoCA has negotiated special rates at the following hotels:
The Design Hotel f6: Contact them by email: info@hotel-f6.ch and with this code «Icoca/12/22 » to get ICoCA’s discounted rate.
Manotel Group: please make your reservations through the link here and choose your hotel, by selecting your check in and check out dates.
Hotel International & Terminus: please make your reservations through the link here and enter the code «ICoCA» through the Promo code, and you will get automatically a 10% discount.
Interpretation
Limited interpretation will be provided in the main auditoriums at each venue from English to French and Spanish. Please indicate in the comments field on registering whether you will be requiring interpretation.
Agenda
Day 1 - 5 December, 2022 (Venue - Forum Geneva, Rue de Lausanne 11–19, 1201 Geneva)
| 09:00 - 10:30 | 10:30 - 12:30 | 12:30 - 14:00 | 14:00 - 15:30 | 15:30 - 16:00 | 16:00 - 17:30 | |
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| Room TBD | Registration, coffee, networking |
Pillar Meeting (PSCs) - Open to Observers 1
This is a closed working session of private security company Members and Affiliates. The pillar meeting will provide time for the Corporate Pillar Members and Affiliates to reflect on progress to date and to consider ideas to feed into strategic planning sessions. Please reach out to corporate pillar board directors if you have suggestions/requests for other agenda items. |
Lunch |
Private Security Guidance To Handling People In Vulnerable Situations
In some parts of the world, private security companies are contracted to manage groups of people in vulnerable situations such as migrants, refugees or detainees. However, risks of abuses are high: guards may not be properly trained nor equipped and companies may not be aware of their relevant international norms. This year, together with the Graduate Institute of International Studies, the ICoCA conducted a joint research project on the way private security handle people in vulnerable situations, aiming at identifying gaps and best practices. The ICoCA and Graduate Institute research team will present their findings and recommendations before opening the discussion on one of the most complex and sensitive task that private security can face. Lead Presenters Vincent Bernard, Senior Policy Advisor, ICoCA Matthew Currie, Research and Policy Intern, ICoCA Capstone Project Team, Graduate Institute Discussants Abdul Aziz Muhamat, Research Fellow, Global Detention Project Anna Leander, Professor of International Relations and Political Science, Geneva Graduate Institute and Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro Madeline Garlick, Chief of the Protection Policy and Legal Advice Section, UN High Commissioner for Refugees |
Break |
How Is Technology Changing Private Security?
The use of advanced technologies such as drones, robotics or artificial intelligence is transforming the private security industry: traditional security companies are increasingly using them to improve their services or offer new ones. Tech companies such as software developers are now also engaged in the provision of security services.This leads to new opportunities but also new risks in terms of respect for Human Rights. In this session ICt4Peace, a Geneva based think tank will present their groundbreaking research on the use of advanced tech in security, conducted this year with the support of ICoCA. We will then open a discussion on how to provide guidance to the sector on the use of advanced technologies. Lead Presenters Vincent Bernard, Senior Policy Advisor, ICoCA Anne-Marie Buzatu, Vice President & Chief Operations Officer, ICT4Peace Foundation Discussants Jasmin Bonello, Solicitor & Partner, Proelium law Neil Davison, Senior Advisor, ICRC Frédéric Chenais, Policy Advisor, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ori Swed, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, & Social Work, Texas Tech University |
| Room TBD |
Pillar Meeting (CSOs) - Open to Observers 1
This is a closed working session of CSO Members. The pillar meeting will provide time for the CSO Members to reflect on progress to date and to consider ideas to feed into strategic planning sessions. Please reach out to CSO pillar board directors if you have suggestions/requests for agenda items. |
Lunch |
Observer Meeting
This is a closed working session of for Observers. |
Break |
Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence: Connecting The Dots Between Supply Chains, Private Security & Human Rights
As increasing numbers of jurisdictions introduce regulation requiring companies to conduct mandatory human rights due diligence on their supply chains, what are the implications for ICoCA and other multi-stakeholder initiatives that use voluntary, soft-law instruments to raise industry standards? Are MSIs complementary to hard-law or will they be seen as redundant? This session will provide opportunity to update all stakeholders on the status of existing and upcoming regulation and share ideas on how ICoCA and others should position themselves as complementary to the law. Presenters/Facilitators Katarina Maaskant, Managing Director, Teneo (Brussels) John Kleineaschoff, Associate Director, Teneo (Brussels)
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| Room TBD |
Pillar Meeting (Governments) - Closed session 1
This is a closed working session of Government Members. The pillar meeting will provide time for the Government Members to reflect on progress to date and to consider ideas to feed into strategic planning sessions. Please reach out to Government pillar board directors if you have suggestions/requests for agenda items. |
Lunch |
Training Workshop - Establishing An Effective Grievance Mechanisms
Effective grievance mechanisms are a key tool for addressing violations that might occur in company operations. This workshop will go through best practice, explaining how companies can best establish grievance mechanisms which are effective in addressing issues and reducing the risk of reoccurrence. The workshop will explore how the grievance mechanism should be built, operated and monitored, with common problems highlighted. The workshop will be led by ICoCA with participants having the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their concerns. |
Break |
Training Workshop - Preventing Modern Slavery
The workshop will explore modern slavery and how this most commonly impacts private security companies. It will focus heavily on hiring practices, and how companies can best ensure that they avoid bonded labour, both with internationally and locally hired staff. The workshop will be led by ICoCA with participants having the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their concerns. |
18:30-20:30 Cocktail Reception, Hosted by Governments of Switzerland, U.K. and U.S. – U.S. Mission Geneva, Rte de Pregny 11, 1292 Pregny-Chambésy. Only participants registered for Day 1 of the AGA with passport will be admitted.
Observers may be invited to attend pillar meetings at the discretion of each pillar.
Day 2 - 6 December, 2022 (Venue - Forum Geneva, Rue de Lausanne 11–19, 1201 Geneva)
| 09:00 - 10:30 | 10:30 - 11:00 | 11:00 - 12:30 | 12:30 - 14:00 | 14:00 - 15:30 | 15:30 - 16:00 | 16:00 - 17:30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auditorium Galata |
Improving Working Conditions In Private Security
In too many instances security workers face poor working conditions, lack of training or even discrimination. Low cost is frequently the only driver for clients in the selection of private security providers. As a result poor working conditions affect the health, turnover or performance of guards and their families. Some may even be more likely to engage in abuses. At the same time and despite the pressure of the market many companies are investing in creating a positive working environment for their staff. In 2022, ICoCA, Uni Global Union and Denver University have joined efforts to conduct a global research on working conditions in the industry. Dozens of experts and hundreds of guards have been consulted on all five continents to map issues and best practices. Following a presentation of the key findings, this session will explore avenues to help companies raise their standards and convince their clients to invest in quality services. Come prepared, as your feedback will directly feed in the research. Lead Presenters Vincent Bernard, Senior Policy Advisor, ICoCA Paul Hausmann, Research & Policy Intern, ICoCA Eddy Stam, Head of UNI Property Services, Uni Global Union Discussants Anne Lauder, Research and Policy Intern, ICoCA Charlie Mayne, Managing Director, VSC Security Solutions Emmy Lubega, Community Liaison Officer (Migrant Workers in Qatar), Uni Global Union Caleb Wanga, Coordinator, Usalama Reforms Forum |
Break |
Improving Working Conditions In Private Security cont
Continued from previous session. In too many instances security workers face poor working conditions, lack of training or even discrimination. Low cost is frequently the only driver for clients in the selection of private security providers. As a result poor working conditions affect the health, turnover or performance of guards and their families. Some may even be more likely to engage in abuses. At the same time and despite the pressure of the market many companies are investing in creating a positive working environment for their staff. In 2022, ICoCA, Uni Global Union and Denver University have joined efforts to conduct a global research on working conditions in the industry. Dozens of experts and hundreds of guards have been consulted on all five continents to map issues and best practices. Following a presentation of the key findings, this session will explore avenues to help companies raise their standards and convince their clients to invest in quality services. Come prepared, as your feedback will directly feed in the research Lead Presenters Vincent Bernard, Senior Policy Advisor, ICoCA Paul Hausmann, Research & Policy Intern, ICoCA Eddy Stam, Head of UNI Property Services, Uni Global Union Discussants Anne Lauder, Research and Policy Intern, ICoCA Charlie Mayne, Managing Director, VSC Security Solutions Emmy Lubega, Community Liaison Officer (Migrant Workers in Qatar), Uni Global Union Caleb Wanga, Coordinator, Usalama Reforms Forum
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Lunch |
Pillar Meeting (PSCs) - Closed session
The second pillar meeting will provide opportunity for Members and Affiliates to feedback on previous sessions and discuss potential future directions to feed into the strategic planning sessions which follows immediately after. Faciltated by Pillar Board Directors |
Break |
ICoCA's Strategy For The Next Decade: 2024-2033
ICoCA is entering the last year of its five-year strategic plan 2019-2023. The Association will be celebrating its ten-year anniversary in 2023. With this major milestone fast-approaching, ICoCA is using the opportunity of the 2022 AGA to solicit its Members, Affiliates and Observers about the direction the Association should take in its second decade, providing input for the development of a ten-year strategic plan 2023-2032. During this afternoon session we’ll take stock of how far ICoCA has come, and build on insights shared during the previous day and a half to begin the crafting of ICoCA’s strategic direction for its second decade. Lead Facilitators Frédéric Chenais, Senior Advisor, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Peace and Human Rights Division, Government of Switzerland & Chair, ICoCA Board of Directors Jamie Williamson, Executive Director, ICoCA |
| Room 2 |
Training Workshop - Assessing human rights impacts
Focusing on human rights impact assessments (HRIAs), the workshop will walk participants through the HRIA process, highlighting best practice. Participants will gain a full understanding of the HRIA process, helping to ensure that their companies reach a high level of human rights due diligence which should meet both client and regulatory demands. The workshop will be led by ICoCA with participants having the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their concerns. |
Break |
Training Workshop - Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
PSEA should be a major area of concern for all private security companies. This workshop will highlight the main areas of concern and how companies can create strong systems—and train their staff appropriately—to mitigate the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse in their areas of work. The workshop will be led by ICoCA with participants having the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their concerns. |
Lunch |
Pillar Meeting (CSOs) - Closed session
The second pillar meeting will provide opportunity for Members to feedback on previous sessions and discuss potential future directions to feed into the strategic planning sessions which follows immediately after.
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Break |
Breakout space
Room available for breakout sessions. |
| Room 3 |
Breakout space
Room available for breakout sessions. |
Break |
Breakout space
Room available for breakout sessions. |
Lunch |
Pillar Meeting (Governments) - Closed session
The second pillar meeting will provide opportunity for Members and Affiliates to feedback on previous sessions and discuss potential future directions to feed into the strategic planning sessions which follows immediately after. Faciltated by Pillar Board Directors |
Break |
Breakout space
Room available for breakout sessions. |
Day 3 – 7th December, 2022 (Venue, Fédération des Entreprises Romandes Genève, Rue de Saint-Jean 98, 1201 Geneva)
Day 3 is open to the general public. Registration is required. All sessions held in the main auditorium.
09:00-09:10
Opening Address – Ambassador Félix Baumann, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations, Geneva
09:10-10:40
Sports and Private Security (co-organised with the Centre for Sport and Human Rights)
Private security plays a critical role in securing sporting events around the world. From providing stewards and guarding venues, to protecting the athletes themselves, the demand for private security providers at some of the world’s largest sporting events can be enormous. So what are the human rights risks that sports take for the organisation of mega sporting events, and what can they do to minimize these risks?
With the Qatar 2022 World Cup in full swing, join us for an expert panel that unpacks some of the issues at play as we consider what’s at stake when mega sporting events, private security and human rights interact.
Panelists
Guido Battaglia, Head of Policy & Outreach, Centre for Sport and Human Rights
Michael Leahy, Policy & Strategic Projects, FIFPRO
Ronan Evain, Executive Director, Football Supporters Europe
Rémy Friedmann, Senior Advisor, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Government of Switzerland
Magali Martowicz, Head of Human Rights, International Olympic Committee
Moderator
Nuala Walsh, CEO, MindEquity
10:40 – 11:00 Break
11:00-12:30
Environmental, Social & Governance Standards – Why Private Security Provision Matters
Investors increasingly look to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards to assess whether companies are operating responsibly and sustainably. So to what extent is private security contracting factored in to ESG ratings as a human rights risk within companies’ supply chains? This discussion will unpack the S is in ESG and consider the latest developments in sustainability reporting through the lens of private security procurement. Panelists will consider why private security contracting presents such a high risk, and the steps both investors and clients can take to mitigate these risks.
Panelists
Dr. Philipp Aeby, Chief Executive Officer, RepRisk
Dr. Christian Leitz, Head Corporate Responsibility, UBS
James Lewry, Director, EMEA, ESG & Sustainable Business, Control Risks
Pranoti Surve, Senior Manager, Global Security Programmes, Philip Morris International
Johannes (Joop) Smits, Partner, People and Organisation, PwC Switzerland
Moderator
Sandra Atler, Director of the Human Rights & Business Practice Group, Enact Sustainable Strategies
12:30 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00-15:30
PMCs and the Future of Conflict (co-organised with the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights)
Private military companies (PMCs) are playing an increasingly high-profile role in many conflict settings around the world. The war in Ukraine and evidence of Russian mercenaries in a growing number of countries, raise serious questions about accountability and remedy. Security companies, military contractors, mercenaries… what distinguishes these different categories of private actors? What role do PMCs play, can they operate responsibility, what are the laws applicable and how can they be held to account? This panel discussion will consider the growing importance of PMCs and what role, if any, ICoCA, law and regulation might play in promoting human rights observance and strengthening accountability in what is often considered an opaque and disreputable industry.
Panelists
Dr. Alessandro Arduino, Principal Research Fellow, Middle East Institute (MEI), National University of Singapore & Associate, Lau China Institute, King’s College London
Dr. Gloria Gaggioli, Director, Geneva Academy & Associate/SNF Professor, University of Geneva
Dr. Sorcha MacLeod, Marie Curie Fellow & Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark & Chair, UN Working Group on Mercenaries
Dr. Ori Swed, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, Texas Tech University
Moderator
Vincent Bernard, Senior Policy Advisor, ICoCA
15:30-16:00 – Break
16:00-17:30
Strategy Going Forward, Close
The closing session of this year’s AGA will wrap-up discussions from the previous three days. Emerging themes will be highlighted, suggested directions for ICoCA’s future strategy will be summarised and next-step actions will be proposed for the coming year, for the development and finalisation of ICoCA’s coming ten-year strategic plan 2024-2033.
Lead Facilitators
Frédéric Chenais, Senior Advisor, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Peace and Human Rights Division, Government of Switzerland & Chair, ICoCA Board of Directors
Jamie Williamson, Executive Director, ICoCA