Business leaders from all across Lithuania are invited to the event with the aim to deepen the understanding on how children are affected by business operations and how business can take action to contribute in securing good conditions for children. The Children’s Rights and Business Principles are in focus on the UN agenda for sustainable business operations as well as part of the global sustainability agenda, Agenda 2030.
The Swedish ambassador to Lithuania H.E. Maria Christina Lundqvist says: “One of the main priorities for the Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius’ is to focus on children and their rights. In our discussions with partners and politicians, we have discovered that here in Lithuania interest is growing about how business activities affect children and their wellbeing. Being able to organise this event where we share the stories from Lithuanian and Swedish experts, businesses and decision-makers is important to us. A lot is being done in regards to children’s rights, but there is of course scope for doing more. Highlighting children’s rights and business principles is one way of trying to make an impact on that development.”
The event takes place under the National Campaign For a Safe Lithuania, an initiative by the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė, and in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius, Swedish Institute, Save the Children and Global Child Forum. Business Sweden will also participate in the conference.
Annika Rembe, Director General at the Swedish Insitute explains the idea behind the pilot event: Children’s rights and opportunities should be a key issue for all companies. It’s not just about obligations. Today’s youth are our future; Future leaders, innovators and consumers. Only a child-friendly company is truly sustainable. Therefore, this event in Lithuania is so important. Our ambition is to take this further, together with companies and decision-makers around the world, to increase engagement and share experiences about how the child’s perspective becomes an integrated part of the business idea. Completely in line with the global goals. “