Business and Human Rights: Progress in addressing modern slavery in Asian supply chains

SEAN LEES, Business and Human Rights Specialist
July 10, 2018 from 5:30-6:15 p.m.
Reception @ 6:15 p.m.
Dinner – 7:00-8:30 p.m. followed by
Presentation and Discussion

Schiff Conference Center
Cintas Center at Xavier University
1624 Herald Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45207

There are more than 45 million victims of modern slavery today, working across agricultural, electronics, garment and other industries. Greater collaboration between businesses, government and communities is leading to change in Asia, though the threat of divestment campaigns, consumer boycotts, lawsuits, and associated reputational risks remain. What are the structural and political forces driving these abuses, and what more can business leaders, lawyers, and consumers do to put them to an end?

Sean Lees is the Business and Human Rights Specialist at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) covering Asia-Pacific. He has worked on human rights and justice issues for the United Nations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Fiji, Sudan, Thailand and Uzbekistan, among other places. Prior to this, he worked as a lawyer with the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security. He is a Cincinnati native.

Event sponsored by:

US Foreign Policy Matters

When US Foreign Policy Goals Conflict with
the Conduct of American Businesses Abroad

Presented by Qaisar Shareef

Monday, March 26, 2017

5:30-7 p.m. – Reception
7:00-8:30 p.m. – Presentation and Discussion
Schiff Conference Center at Xavier University

Mr. Qaisar Shareef concluded in 2011 a career of nearly 30 years with Procter & Gamble. He joined the company at headquarters in 1981, and spent a dozen years living and working abroad as P&G country manager in startup ventures in the emerging markets of Pakistan and Ukraine. The subsidiaries he led in those two countries continue to thrive today in spite of difficult circumstances. P&G Pakistan received from the U.S. State Department an Award for Corporate Excellence in 2012.

In his first book, When Tribesmen Came Calling: Building an Enduring American Business in Pakistan, published in 2017 by Blue Ear Books, Qaisar narrates his experiences successfully building American businesses in emerging markets, sharing learning about how business success was achieved and exploring the interplay among business, economics, culture, and politics. He was witness to historical political events that continue to shape Pakistan and Ukraine. He tells these stories in an engaging and informative way – as only an eyewitness can.

He is an advisory partner at Ward Howell International, a global executive search and management consultancy firm. He has taught as adjunct faculty in International Marketing in the School of International Business at the George Washington University.

Based in the Washington, DC area, Qaisar serves on the boards of many organizations from the Pakistani-American and American Muslim communities. He also serves on the Leadership Council of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, a D.C.-based think tank. Originally from Pakistan, Qaisar moved to Cincinnati in 1977. He has a B.S. degree in Management from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey and an MBA from the University of Cincinnati.

Event sponsored by:

Xavier University - Edward B. Brueggeman Center for Dialogue

World Affairs Council

CHINA Town Hall: Local Connections, National Reflections

Dr. Henry A. Kissinger and Dr. Tom Gold
China on the Road to Rejuvenation: Challenges to the U.S.

Tuesday, October 18 – 6:30 Doors open / 7-9 p.m.
Kennedy Auditorium, Conaton Learning Commons
Xavier University

Dr. Henry A. Kissinger

Dr. Henry A. Kissinger

China’s emergence as a global player and potential partner with the U.S. ensures that the Sino-American relationship will directly impact the lives of us all. To help us understand this complex relationship, the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations will conduct the 10th annual CHINA Town Hall, a national day of programming on China involving about 70 cities throughout the United States. We will participate in a live webcast discussion from 7-8 p.m. with former Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger, moderated by National Committee President Stephen Orlins.

At 8 p.m., Dr. Thomas B. Gold will be with us in person. A 1966 Walnut Hills graduate, Dr. Gold is professor of sociology at the University of California, Berkeley.

Dr. Thomas Gold

Dr. Thomas Gold

He began his study of Chinese at Oberlin College and received his M.A. and PhD from Harvard. He was part of the first group of government-sponsored American exchange students to go to China, studying at Fudan University from 1979-80. Subjects of his publications range widely, including youth, guanxi (关系), popular culture, private business, microfinance, laid-off (下岗) workers, civil society, social change in Taiwan, and cross-Strait relations. He serves on the board of the Asia Society/Northern California and has served on the board of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. In 2012 he returned to Fudan to teach in the University of California Education Abroad Program. Dr. Gold will discuss China’s “Road to Rejuvenation” and how it presents challenges to the U.S., as well as opportunities.

Event Sponsored by:

Crime, Espionage and War in Cyberspace

Exploring Global Critical Issues

Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m.
The James and Caroline
Duff Banquet Center in the
Cintas Center @ Xavier University

The greatest threats we face may no longer be traditional wars and crimes but those committed in cyberspace. Can terrorists shut down our electrical grids? Can criminals bring down our financial systems? Are our military secrets at risk? Is any of our personal information really safe? In an era of ever-increasing connectivity, governments, corporations and individuals need to reassess how they view national security.

Join us to discuss these and other issues with Richard A. Clarke, who advised three presidents on security, counter-terrorism and cyber-security. He currently teaches at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Event sponsored by: