The Tech Company Community of Practice (CoP) is an initiative of UN Human Rights B-Tech Project to advance business respect for human rights in the technology industry. It exists to:

• Inform B-Tech project guidance and recommendations on human rights due diligence related to end-use and access to remedy in the technology industry…
• Advance practical understanding and capacity among technology companies to implement respect for human rights…
• Share insights publicly in the form of short briefing notes, blogs, and non-attributable case studies, and dilemma scenarios ⎼ on human rights due diligence and remedy.

In 2021, the following companies participated in the CO: Apple, Cisco, Cloudflare, Ericsson, Facebook, Google, HPE, Microsoft, Salesforce, Twitter, Verizon, Vodafone.

How it works

The CoP is structured around three different modes of engagement. These are virtual meetings spread across the calendar year:

• Core Sessions focused on specific aspects of HRDD and remedy...
• Special Briefings focused on specific issues or policy and legal developments...
• Outreach Dialogues: These are focused on engaging peers from across the sector, users of technology, States, CSOs and investors...

Company Commmitment

The success of the CoP rests on meaningful commitment of companies to the community and its aims, manifested through active preparation and participation in activities. In practice, company participants are asked to:

• Nominate two individuals...
• Participate in all Core Sessions and consider a leadership role in at least one Core Session...
• Pro-actively support the community goal of sharing learning and practice...
• Secure CEO or other relevant executive participation in an end-of-year dialogue with the UN High Commissioner...

Expert Advisors In each Core Session, two or three experts participate in discussions and are asked to:

• Bring expert knowledge and experience of UNGP implementation by companies from within and beyond the technology sector.
• Act as critical friends to the community of company practitioners, such that leading business practice is advanced.
• Advise the B-Tech team in designing, delivering, and developing outputs from Core Sessions.