The last decade has seen the emergence of ‘stakeholder geopolitics’. Companies and investors face expectations to act responsibly as they exert influence on global governance. Business and civil society benefit from a shared space defined by the rule of law. Civic freedoms of expression, association, and assembly are essential to the realization of good governance, accountable institutions, and all human rights.
But civic space has been shrinking world-wide over the last decade. Opportunities and incentives are proliferating for investors to support civic space, particularly as ESG, as sustainability and human rights due-diligence gains traction. Recent examples from Israel and Hong Kong indicate a growing realisation by some investors of the link between deteriorating civic space and the sustainability and profitability of their own operations. But there also remain significant barriers to investor engagement on these issues.
Please join us at Chatham House for this bespoke roundtable discussion examining:
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What is the relationship between weakening civil society and increasing investor risk, and how far do investors recognise this linkage?
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What are the analytical, cultural, and political barriers to investor support for civic freedoms?
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What are the opportunities for investors to advance civic space, both internally through due diligence and portfolio construction and externally through shareholder advocacy and public policy?
Read the Investors and the ESG blind spot report.
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