UNICEF and business community launch Business Advisory Council for Children in Georgia

TBILISI, 28 June 2022 – UNICEF, in partnership with leading business sector representatives, launched a Business Advisory Council for Children (BACC) – an innovative platform aiming to support the realization of children’s rights in the context of the workplace, the labour market and the community.

A Business Advisory Council for Children is an independent group of people composed of external partners, representing different business sectors, business groups and platforms, public sector, academia and media.

“Harnessing the power of business and markets for children is one of UNICEF’s core strategies for achieving programme results for children”, - Ghassan Khalil, UNICEF Representative in Georgia.

“Partnership with businesses includes addressing child rights in the business ecosystem, supporting the companies to respect child rights through their policies and practices, advocating and raising awareness of communities around key issues affecting children. We are thrilled with the launch of the Business Advisory Council for Children to advance child rights and to improve wellbeing of children and families in Georgia together with the Government and other partners.”

Business Advisory Council for Children will:

1. act as a platform for the exchange of knowledge, and good practice, focusing on increasing the visibility of children’s rights on the business agenda and to leading protection and realisation of children’s rights;
2. gather knowledge and experience from different areas (business, academia, the state, children) to provide better understanding of the impact of business on children in order to motivate companies to contribute to protecting and promoting children’s rights through their actions.

Business directly and indirectly impacts the lives of children as consumers, family members of employees, young workers and as future employees and business leaders. Children are also part of the communities and environments in which business operates. Business leaves a footprint on the lives of children through its products and services, supply chains, manufacturing methods, marketing methods, distribution practices, environmental and social impacts and investment in local communities.