While there are a multitude of initiatives in this sector, the Madison Dialogue will focus on profiling those that meet the following criteria:
The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA): A multi-sector (including mining companies, jewelers, NGOs and community groups) effort to create a standards and a verification systems for minesite compliance with environmental, social and human rights issues at large-scale mines.
The Association for Responsible Mining (ARM): The Association for Responsible Mining, ARM, is an independent, global-scale effort, and pioneer initiative, created as an international and multi-institutional organization to bring credibility, transparency and legitimacy to the development of a framework for responsible artisanal and small-scale mining. The Association for Responsible Mining, ARM, is an independent, global-scale effort, and pioneer initiative, created as an international and multi-institutional organization to bring credibility, transparency and legitimacy to the development of a framework for responsible artisanal and small-scale mining.
The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) :The Canadian Boreal Initiative works with a wide range of conservation organizations, First Nations, industry and other interested parties to link science, policy and conservation activities in Canada's boreal forest. The CBI is behind the Boreal Forest Conservation Framework - developed in concert with leading conservation organizations, resource companies and First Nations. Convened by the Canadian Boreal Initiative, this group forms the Boreal Leadership Council, committed to the conservation and sustainable development of Canada's boreal forest region.
The Council for Responsible Jewelry Practices (CRJP): An association of companies across the gold and diamond supply chain committed to promoting responsible business practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the industry from mine to retail. "Our objective is to promote responsible ethical, social and environmental practices throughout the diamond1 and gold2 jewellery supply chain, from mine to retail." CRJP is developing standards and models for each of the components of the supply chain.
The Diamond Development Initiative: More than a million African artisanal diamond diggers and their families live and work in absolute poverty, outside the formal economy, in countries struggling to recover from the ravages of war. The Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) is a unique effort to address their problems, bringing NGOs, governments and business together in a common effort that aims to convert diamonds from a fuel for war into an engine for development.
The Kimberley Process:The Kimberley Process is a joint government, international diamond industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds - rough diamonds that are used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. The trade in these illicit stones contributed to devastating conflicts in countries such as Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is an innovative, voluntary system that imposes extensive requirements on Participants to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are free from conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process is composed of 45 Participants, including the European Community. Kimberley Process Participants account for approximately 99.8% of the global production of rough diamonds. The international community, including the UN General Assembly and Security Council, and the World Trade Organisation, have all recognised the importance and effectiveness of the KPCS.