Greetings!
It’s been a while since we had our last webinar in 2020. It’s time to update!
Please join us the upcoming webinar on 23rd September 2021 (Thu).
Date: 23rd September 2021 (Thu)
Time: 8amPDT/11:00EDT/15:00GMT/17:00CAT for 1.5 hours
Admission: Free
Language: English
Registration: Please register yourself at the following link.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wFhHD5poR2C2Lrt7xtebUQ
[Program]
- Welcome Remark
- “Diamonds, the Kimberley Process and Human Rights: recent developments” by Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition
- Recent Development by Diamonds for Peace
- Q&A
- Announcement
[About Speakers]
Shamiso Mtisi
Global Coordinator, Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition (KPCSC)
Deputy Director, Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA)Shamiso is responsible for programme design, fundraising and functions as head of operations at ZELA.
As a global coordinator of KPCSC, Shamiso monitors trade of conflict diamonds around the world.
With over 18 years of experience working in the extractive sector, mining, agriculture and natural resources sector, he has extensive research and advocacy experiences on responsible sourcing, human rights, diamond mining, extractive industries, water resources management, intellectual property rights and farmer’s rights. He has also published several research papers on the role of parliament in playing an oversight role in the mining sector, including training for parliamentarians in Zimbabwe and Malawi.
He holds a Masters in Law (LLM) in Constitutional and Human Rights Law from Midlands State University. He also holds Bachelor of Laws Honours (LLBS) Degree from the University of Zimbabwe and a Certificate in Environmental Law from the IUCN Graduate Environmental Law Programme. Shamiso is registered with the High Court of Zimbabwe as a legal practitioner, notary public and conveyancer.
Hans Merket
Hans joined the International Peace Information Service (IPIS) as researcher in 2016. IPIS, based in Antwerp, is the only non-African member of the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition (KP CSC). As the civil society watchdog to the Kimberley Process, the KP CSC pushes for responsible diamond governance. IPIS supports the Coalition as a research institute with its analyses and expertise on issues of natural resources, conflict mapping and business & human rights.
Hans coordinates IPIS’ work within the KP CSC and IPIS’ broader research program on (ir)responsible diamond mining and trade. With IPIS, Hans studied and mapped artisanal and small-scale mining in countries like DR Congo, Tanzania and the Central African Republic, as well as the impact of large-scale mining on adjacent communities. He was part of the KP CSC core team following the last three-year reform cycle of the Kimberley Process (2017-2019), where participating states again failed to reach consensus on broadening the scope of the KP certification scheme. Hans has a PhD in law from Ghent University in Belgium.
Chie Murakami
The founder, Diamonds for Peace
After getting her master’s degree in International Development Studies, Chie started her career in Haiti as a local consultant, and then worked for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Laos Office. She also worked in the private sector in Japan for 7 years followed by working as an expert on a JICA project in Kenya for 2 years.
When she got engaged and received her engagement ring, Chie became interested in diamonds and searched for information about diamonds. She was shocked to learn that the diamond mining industry is full of corruption and human rights abuses. Chie decided she wanted to make a difference so using her background in international development she founded Diamonds for Peace in 2015 shortly after visiting Liberia where she witnessed first and the reality for people living and working in artisanal diamond mining communities.
She was in Liberia from April to June this year and will share her experiences.
[Note]
If you are interested in the issues surrounding diamonds and Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, you can watch the recordings of DFP webinars in 2020 by filling out the form at the link below.
https://eng.diamondsforpeace.org/dfp-webinar-2020/
Looking forward to having you at the webinar!
Front photo: Artisanal miners in Liberia (photo by Diamonds for Peace)