Within South Africa, the African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC) has been established as the focal point for the project, operational from 15 January 2007. AICC’s core tasks as the focal point are:

1. Facilitating information exchange

   As the focal point, AICC will provide and distribute relevant information to the partners within the network. HOM will feed the information stream to the focal point. In this regard, AICC will:

   1. Provide and distribute relevant information on the topic of human rights and business as well as on the human rights and business tool i.e. Human Rights Compliance Assessment (HRCA) and related tools to the project organisations
   2. Act as consultation point for (project and resource) organisations, government and business enterprises in South Africa on business and human rights issues, responsibilities and strategies vis-à-vis the development of the SA HRCA. In this regard, the focal point will offer assistance with regards to the following:
      • Explanation of the issues when requested
      • Reference to other sources/organisations if needed
      • Information about the SA specific HRCA and Quick Check – online and hardcopy versions
      • Summary Country Risk Assessment
      • Summary Work Plan 2006 – 2008
      • Annual Work Plan 2007
   3. Network building and development

      In this regard, AICC’s priorities will be:

      • Maintaining national network contacts, including project and resource organisations/persons.
      • Establishing links and maintaining contacts with civil society organisations, government, business enterprises and other bodies in the field of human rights and business in South Africa.
      • Participation of AICC focal point officers in relevant activities organised by amongst others, project organisations.
   4. Advocacy/awareness raising

      The focal point will promote awareness on the topic of human rights and business as well as the use of the HRCA tool by companies and other stakeholders. This will be through bilateral meetings, presentations during conferences and workshops, partnerships and lobby activities.

      Some media engagement is envisaged within the advocacy and awareness role subject to funding sufficiency. A tentative media strategy includes developing relevant press release(s) and media liaison to ensure media coverage.

   5. In co-operation with HOM, AICC will organise project meetings such as:

      • Round Table Meetings
        Already earmarked are two Round Table meetings (July 2007 and another for 2008), during which organisations involved in the project will be brought together. The Round Tables facilitate among others training on human rights and business, the HRCA tools and networking.
      • Multi-stakeholder Conference(s)
        It is envisaged that there will be held a multi-stakeholder conference on human rights and business in South Africa during October 2007, and possibly, a follow-up conference in 2008. AICC will co-ordinate and facilitate the generation of ideas from research and project partners regarding the multi-stakeholder conference(s).
      • Other project meetings and activities, including activities towards commemorating the SA Human Rights Week, workshops to promote the subject or the SA HRCA tools etc. Please note that the project does not have budgeted extra funds for these meetings. However, the organisation of such meetings or participation in such meetings by project organisations will be discussed on a case by case basis with the focal point and funds sought for additional funds to realise these.
   6. Co-ordinating input regarding testing/ development of SA HRCA

      In addition to conducting its own testing of the HRCA with NEDBANK and Shell SA, AICC will be responsible for:

      • Collating and co-ordinating the input of the project organisations in respect of the development of the South African specific HRCA.
      • Visit to all (participating) project organisations in April-June 2007. These visits will be combined with the road testing of the SA specific HRCA and will have as one of its goals to assist in testing by project organisations as well as to collect information.
      • Co-ordinate the road testing process: contact organisations, follow-up on organisations, advice them etc.
      • Approach a number of other actors to give feedback on SA HRCA (JSE, Prof. Titus, CCC, IDASA, BUSA, SAHRC, other resource organisations; and a business reference group that will be established; etc.)
   7. Contact with/reporting to HOM

      This includes:

      • Regular contact with HOM (by electronic mail, telephone and meetings) about project activities and developments.
      • The focal point and HOM will meet at least once a year.
      • Annual evaluation and reporting to HOM.
      • Annual planning for 2007 and 2008.
   8. Evaluation

      This will be through: Meetings with HOM; and first year evaluation earmarked for the last quarter of 2007, in respect of which each project activity will be evaluated (with evaluation forms and a short report).

   9. Planning
      • In co-operation with HOM and project organisations, AICC will be involved in articulating the work plan for the project in South Africa (2007 and 2008).
      • At the end of 2007, AICC will plan for the promotion of the SA HRCA.