Now this is interesting and it kind of reminds me of the discussions we had over at Jake’s Combat Operator website awhile back. Once you determine the standards, the next step would be certification. So what these folks are doing is getting everyone under the tent and talking shop as to the best way to go about that. It is stuff like this that help governments figure out their certification process, so that is why I pay attention.
Although I would like to note that no one from this group has made any effort to contact me, and I have yet to see anything mentioned about this process on any of the forums or websites. You would think that if they wanted a lively and honest discussion about PSC’s and certification, that they would put out an invitation like this at the places that security contractors hang out.
So with that said, I think it would be pretty cool to see a bunch of us ‘knuckle draggers’ attending this thing online or in person to give our two cents. After all, these so-called experts are putting together the ideas and concepts that will later be applied to how to govern this industry. I care that they get it right, and I hope a few of you out there care as well.
Also, be sure to check out the 1st and 2nd webinar series by following the instructions below. –Matt
OPEN INVITATION – PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY
Webinar Series
CERTIFICATION IN THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY:
DISCERNING BEST PRACTICES AND APPLYING LESSONS FROM OTHER SECTORS
You are cordially invited to participate, either in person or via the Web, in the final in a series of webinars examining best practices in the certification of voluntary business standards. After the November 9 signing of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers by 58 companies, the focus of multi-stakeholder discussions will move to the next phase: the development of mechanisms for effective governance and oversight. These webinars provide information from experts familiar with the certification of management, process, environmental, labor, and supply chain standards—a useful resource for participants in and supporters of the code. Through an open, expert-led dialogue, these webinars hope to foster learning and consensus building and ensure that best practices pave the way forward.
Webinar 3: Labor standards and supply chain certification, Wednesday, December 1, 12:00-1:30pm EST
Chair: Rebecca DeWinter-Schmitt, Assistant Professor, School of International Service, American University
Moderator: Krista Hendry, Executive Director, Fund for Peace
Presenters: Jorge Perez-Lopez, Executive Director, Fair Labor Association
Elly Harrowell, Campaigner, Global Witness – to speak on the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
Rochelle Zaid, Executive Director, Social Accountability Accreditation Services (accreditation body for SA 8000)
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPATING:
You can participate in person or remotely. To attend in person, please come to:
American University (4400 Massachusetts Ave, Washington DC), Ward Building Room 102.
To join via the Web, use Mozilla Firefox (free download available at www.mozilla.com) as your browser and click on the link below. (You can use other browsers but may run into compatibility issues.) When prompted enter your first and last name, and hit the “Run Wizard” to ensure your software is compatible and up-to-date. The Wizard will prompt you to plug in a microphone to finish. Hit “Next” to skip this step, as you only will be able to type questions to the panelists during the Q and A session through the “chat box” function. Please direct questions for the panelists to Heather Elms and technical questions to Sophie Grumelard.
Go here.
No RSVP required. Please feel forward this invitation to anyone you feel might be interested in participating!
For more information or questions, contact:
Rebecca DeWinter-Schmitt at rd9171a@american.edu or rdewinter@rcn.com
*****
NOW AVAILABLE: VIEW THE ARCHIVED WEBINARS
Webinar 1: Management and process standards, Wednesday, October 27, 12:00-1:30pm EST
Chair: Heather Elms, Associate Professor, Kogod School of Business, American University
Moderator: Rebecca DeWinter-Schmitt, Assistant Professor, School of International Service, American University
Presenters: Claire Mahon, Senior Researcher, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Dr. Marc Siegel, Commissioner, ASIS International, Global Standards Initiative
David Simpson, Director of Standards and Collaborative Governance, AccountAbility
Webinar 2: Environmental certification, Wednesday, November 10, 12:00-1:30pm EST
Chair: Heather Elms, Associate Professor, Kogod School of Business, American University
Moderator: Jorge Rivera, Associate Professor, George Washington University School of Business
Presenters: Petra Tanos, Coordinator, Sustainable Value Chains, Rainforest Alliance Sarah Buffaloe, LEED Associate, US Green Building Council Ben Cashore, Professor, Environmental Governance & Political Science, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
To access the archived webinar, enter American University’s BlackBoard site here. Use “new12” as your Username and Password. Under My Courses, click on Certification Webinar Series. In the left hand navigation toolbar, you will find the presenters’ Power Point slides. To watch a playback of the webinar, go to Wimba Classroom and Archives and click on the Wimba Classroom link. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and hit the blue arrow under Enter to start the playback. (Sound will kick in with the video after approximately 20 seconds.)
