Interviews Archives • Responsible Jewellery Council

In Conversation With…Ashish Rawat

Isabella Wild — Mon, 29 May 2023 06:28:35 +0000

What were the main reasons for Royal Touch wanting to join the RJC?

Royal Touch LLC is a leading manufacturer of fine gemstones and jewelry. We are widely known to be industry leaders in our specific sector and are highly respected among its peers for our personal and business ethics and dedication to a sustainable future. Sustainability starts with us as individuals, for our family, our people, our business, our customers and ultimately our environment and the way we conduct our business. Doing well by doing good. So no “green washing” its really within our DNA of the company and the team.Therefore, to highlight our commitment and legitimacy with current and future customers, we joined the RJC given the fact they are well recognized by the industry and beyond. There are not that many colored gemstone companies member and certified by RJC so we are happy to be at the forefront.

How is Royal Touch implementing sustainability into the heart of their business strategy?

We have divided our sustainability efforts in three categories according to the Three P’s, basically adhering though to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. 1. People: Involve and engage anyone who is interacting with us directly or indirectly in our entire supply chain including our own staff, our clients and vendors. That includes matters like equal rights and diversity in for instance gender and empowering people. Of course safety and security matters are important for our staff as well. We are highly involved in charity in India and we are expanding those efforts to Tanzania as well. 2. Planet: Responsible for the environment by using renewable energy as much as possible, striving to be a Carbon Neutral group by 2030, looking at our footprint and educate our people on these matters as well. 3. Product: Making sure that our products are sourced and manufactured according to local and international laws and standards and conducting business in a legitimate and responsible way. So making sure that for instance no child labour is involved, no smuggling, no conflict minerals, and also looking for beneficiaries of local communities.

Have you got any exciting projects or upcoming work you would like to highlight?

Our continued efforts to further consolidate our sustainability goals also include giving it back to the society. We work with several institutions in India and Africa towards betterment of education and life for the locals. A few examples to mention are:

1. Free Meals to underprivileged

2. Books for Libraries

3. Sponsoring Students

4. Women Empowerment

We are looking at a new charity project we have thought about in Tanzania, so that is something exciting to look forward too. On the women empowerment initiatives we are soon planning to launch a product line with recyclable gold and diamonds by women working on this from start to finish. For women by women so to say.

What’s next for Royal Touch?

We want to position and strengthen ourselves as global leaders in the world of gemstones and jewelry creating benchmarks for our peers to follow by keeping strict goals. We follow an inclusive agenda involving all stakeholders. In line with global efforts on managing the impact of climate change as much as humanity can, we want to contribute our fair share. So becoming Carbon Neutral as a group step by step with measured actions in the coming years is a concrete plan. It will take time though, it’s a process, a path we will walk together, we need to start somewhere.

Another important part of our sustainability strategy is gender diversity, actually in line with an important part of RJC’s work as well. We already have for instance a very large population of women amongst our teams worldwide and we want to emphasize and recognize the importance of that strategy and especially advocate equal pay, career development, promotions, education etc.

Plus make these topics part of our regular team and management meetings as well as with our customers and vendors to create a ripple effect in the sector. We also aim to step up on the network and events of organizations like the RJC and CIBJO for instance. Looking forward to meet the new executive director of RJC, Melanie C. Grant, soon as well.

Last but not least we are very busy with the RJC certification process, that is work at hand and we have engaged RSM Astute Consulting company in India to help us on the process as such. They have a lot of experience with RJC certification and we are convinced we will have a smooth certification as the guidelines and workbooks of RJC are very clear. Internally we have LuxuryFintech helping us out as well. So we really put our money were our mouth is.

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In Conversation With… Liza Blumental

Responsible Jewellery Council — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 11:39:31 +0000

What does RJC Certification mean for you?

RJC certification not only bestowed upon our Company, Mitchell K., an honor and a distinction shared by few, but also served as a concrete affirmation of our Company values and core philosophy. The rigors of the certification process forced us to scrutinize the entirely of our business practices, both internal and external, and those of our suppliers and business partners to ensure transparency and a shared commitment to do what’s right. RJC Certification ensures that we do not simply accept the status quo but rather commit to always doing better. That commitment to excellence in our craft is what sets us apart.

How important do you feel sustainability and responsible business practices are to the consumer?

We live in a world of interconnectedness and global dependence no longer hampered by geography nor distance. Images, headlines, stories and movements travel at light speed across continents that now no bounds. Consumers, motivated and strengthened by online communities are empowered to take-action; said actions invariably include favoring brands which act responsibly and have a social conscience towards people and our planet. Therefore, as global citizens, in my opinion, consumers in this fully digital age, will continue to seek out companies whose sustainability and responsible business practices best align wither their own personal philosophies.

As an SME, what you would describe some of the biggest challenges and benefits in achieving RJC Certification?

The RJC Certification process for an SME is both challenging and plentifully rewarding at the same time. The biggest challenge facing an SME in this process is being held to the same exact standard as a large multinational conglomerate made up of numerous divisions and departments tasked with small pieces of the “puzzle” backed by unbridled resources. A SME, on the other hand, with more limited resources, (both fiscal and personnel), must quickly and efficiently learn to be more resourceful where team members are not afraid to take on new or different roles, accept wearing multiple hats, and are dedicated to carrying out the same mission. Despite the obvious challenges, the benefits of achieving Certification far outweigh any momentary challenges faced in its process. Among said benefits, is our ability as a SME to state with confidence that we have been audited by an independent third party who has conferred upon us and our practices a seal of approval that we meet and surpass the rigorous standards set for any Jewelry company small or large. Said accomplishment affords our retail partners, our suppliers, and ultimately our consumers, confidence and trust in all we do.

What’s next for Mitchell K?

From its inception, we have strived to create a company and brand that one would be proud to wear and gift. Our collections focus on highly personalized jewelry with each piece as unique as its creator. RJC certification is by no means an end but rather a beginning of a continuous journey for betterment and continuous evolution. In such, we will continue in our efforts to give back to our local and state communities. We will continue to work with One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization, dedicated to reforestation as well as providing charitable contributions to our local hospice community. Our collections are not simply fine personalized jewelry, but a celebration of love, life and family. It’s the stories and the people behind every one of our products that motivates us to always do better.

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In Conversation With… DR. SAID DERAZ

Responsible Jewellery Council — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 13:29:23 +0000

Dr. Said Deraz – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer – Gold Coast Refinery

What inspired Gold Coast Refinery to join RJC?

We are very proud of our certification. Gold Coast Refinery (GCR) believes that a successful refining business must be conducted in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, not just in an economically viable way. This will also help GCR to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its business operations in line with its vision of promoting sustainable gold supply chains. As well as demonstrating commitment to the protection of human rights, labour rights, the prevention of environmental pollution, traceability and transparency.

As the first certified gold refinery in Ghana, what were the biggest challenges and opportunities you faced in achieving certification?

Achieving RJC Code of Practices certification is a continuous improvement process, that requires time and investment. All the members of the CGR team have worked tirelessly to prepare for the rigorous third-party audit. We have learnt a lot about our own operations, improved some of our processes and developed and implemented new ones. We have also had strong engagement with our business partners and stakeholders.

How do you see the future of sustainability within the precious metals industry in Ghana?

Ghana is a country known for its gold, timber and cocoa production. It is the number 1 gold producer in Africa, and number 6 worldwide. The challenges have always been adding value to the raw materials prior to exporting, curbing smuggling out of the country.. The gold is largely produced by Artisanal Small -scale Miners, who often use mercury which is highly detrimental to their health and the environment.

Regardless, we believe Ghana has an enormous potential and the ability to meet its ambitious domestic gold purchase programme and the development of responsible supply chains of gold from artisanal and small scale mines. GCR’s vision is to contribute positively to the country’s programmes by adding value to precious metals.

What do the next 3 years look like for Gold Coast Refinery?

Looking ahead, we envisage an expansion of the responsible sourcing program and sustainable business practices including environmental, social and governance components across our precious metal value chain in Africa.

We will accelerate our engagement upstream with artisanal and small scale miners we source from to develop a robust, responsible and traceable supply chain that has a positive impact on the mining communities.

We are planning the introduction of decarbonisation technology to reduce the carbon footprint in small scale mining in line with international standards.

GCR is exploring the increase of its line of product to the addition of minting of medallions and Jewelry production, one of such examples was the production of Commemorative Coins of the King of Ashanti Region, HRM Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene the /the Ashanti region in South Ghana is known as the “Kingdom of gold”.

We also intend to partner with key stakeholders in Ghana such as the School of Mines to provide practical training for students, and the chamber of mines to ensure the enhancement of standards across the country.

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In Conversation With… Daniela Colaiacovo

Responsible Jewellery Council — Mon, 09 May 2022 11:24:09 +0000

Daniela Colaiacovo – CEO and Co-Founder – MAKAL

What does being RJC certified mean to you?

To become certified, we had to complete a rigorous examination of all aspects of MAKAL’s operations: right from the first extraction and sourcing of each material, to the processes in the manufacturing studio in Italy and the final packaging.

The certification extends to other business areas including Human Rights, Responsible Supply Chain and Labour Rights, as well as how MAKAL creates Social Impact in communities, especially where we source our materials.

The RJC certification confirms MAKAL’s dedication to responsible sourcing and sustainable business practices, including our operations and our core strategy. But we are on a journey of continuous improvement, so being certified doesn’t mean we stop trying.

For us, as a small, young brand, being RJC-certified feels like a great accomplishment and a symbol of a lot of hard work and belief. I am super-proud that we have received this prestigious validation for our genuine commitment to responsible practices.

Can you give us some more details on your work with women and ASM?

Mining is not an easy industry for woman to work in, especially in developing countries. However, if you strongly believe in what you are doing, and you are determined to make positive changes and innovate, nothing is impossible. There are actually lots of women in the industry, albeit they can sometimes be hidden. They are extremely capable and eager to learn. But they need to be supported and to be recognised for the good work they are doing.

MAKAL has a commitment to supporting women in mining. In the last few years, we invested in two incredible projects in East Africa. In the first, we developed a programme to help women miners in eight artisanal small-scale mining groups to reduce their exposure to harmful mercury in the extraction process. This programme is part of MAKAL’s wider efforts to improve the safety and cleanliness of mine site operations through capacity-building and investment.

In the second initiative, we aimed to develop a training and mentoring programme to support a young mining engineer to learn more about the industry and how to mine in a responsible way. With our support and the support of a local NGO, she has gained a deeper understanding of the ASM sector in East Africa. Not only she has been able to visit mine sites and personally interact with miners, but she also had opportunities to reflect on the needs of the community. Thanks to our programme, she is currently working full time with the NGO as a junior mining engineer.

As an SME, what have been some of the challenges and highlights of your certification journey?

Going through a certification process required time, effort and investment, which for a small company are all big challenges. However, once the process started and the new policies and procedures were in place, not only did they increase the effectiveness of MAKAL’s due diligence, but they also increased the efficiency of MAKAL’s operations. The certification crystallised a methodology that has resulted in a network of trusted suppliers. This gives our customers confidence in what they are buying, added to the excitement and pleasure they get from owning their new pieces.

What does the next three years look like for MAKAL?

As with many businesses, we have had to work even harder and be even more creative during the pandemic. It has never been plain sailing. But we made time to think about new ways to expand the business, for example, enhancing our e-commerce platform, making more of our social media presence and finding other ways of communicating with our customers.

Looking ahead, we will continue to expand our ethical sourcing, by developing a wider network of responsible nuggets, gold and gemstone suppliers. I would like to deepen the sustainability and ethical basis of every link in our supply chain, even, for example, in terms of delivery methods.

We are also looking at new collaborations with other brands that share our values. And we continue to expand and explore our collection by working with young female designers, as well bringing in novel materials, like the yarn from recycled plastic bottles we introduced last year. In three years’ time I would like to be known around the world for being the gold nugget brand – the brand that made these amazing natural and organic rarities internationally renowned and widely admired, while maintaining the highest ethical and sustainable standards.

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In Conversation With… Hayley Henning

Responsible Jewellery Council — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 12:11:18 +0000

Hayley Henning – CCO – Greenland Ruby.

You have recently become certified against RJC’s COP – why was it important for you as a company to achieve this milestone?

For Greenland Ruby, it’s imperative that we stay true to our business principles. By achieving the RJC certification, we can prove that we do so, which is very important to us. The independent verification of our claims, especially by a reputable organisation like the RJC, assures us of our judgement. We expect the certification to have great value in our ability to cooperate with our stakeholders and customers, both locally and internationally.

How do you see sustainability evolving in the coloured gems market?

Greenland Ruby is the first colored gemstone mining operation that has become certified by the RJC, for which we are extremely proud. Despite the difficulties in this process, Greenland Ruby was able to comply with these standards quite efficiently, mainly due to our commitment to a responsible mining operation since the beginning.

Our company hopes to be able to set an example and lead the way for other miners and dealers to follow suit. It goes without saying that the colored gemstone market, like all other raw materials, is being scrutinized and consumers are demanding supply chain transparency when it comes to colored gemstone sourcing. Within a short time, the gemstone industry will need to respond to these requirements, or at least do as best they can, to be able to provide the consumer with the confidence they require. Consumers will rely on brands and manufacturers to have done their due diligence, and source their gems from a reputable source and chain of custody.

Colored gemstones are steeped in mystery – it is after all what makes them so intriguing, exciting and exotic. As an industry we will need to figure out how to remove the mystery, while keeping the mystique!

Also, we feel that coloured gemstone desirability these days is more than about aesthetics – it can also represent a positive footprint on the communities from which they originate. As such, all parts of the trade will have to adapt to this new kind of business, and the opportunities that such resources represent and how companies manifest themselves throughout these communities. It is not enough to have pure philanthropy anymore, but rather to invest in local sustainable community development. This in turn will add enormous value to coloured gemstones and their markets.

Could you tell us some more about The PinkPolar Bear Foundation and how it is generating impact?

The PinkPolarbear Foundation is Greenland Ruby’s CSR arm and was initiated by the company to support the communities in which we mine our gems. Every gem that Greenland Ruby sells contributes to the Foundation, which is concerned with International Polar Research into the effects of Climate Change and those affected by associated cultural changes. To date the Foundation has contributed to a sewing workshop near Aappaluttoq, as well as sponsoring 2 PHD Students from the University of Greenland, helping them fund part of their projects. It’s these efforts, no matter how small, that impact communities at the source of where gems are mined.

What’s next for Greenland Ruby?

To ensure our value chain even further by certifying our other offices/operations against the RJC’s COP (Paris, Bangkok, New York.)
To develop the sustainability of our community through partnerships for quality education, clean and affordable energy, and new business opportunities, creating shared value for all. This will be done by the continuation of the great work of our employees and partners, as well as creating new partnerships for change locally and internationally.
Striving to achieve and uphold the 17 SDG’s as set out by the United Nations.
Continuing to build the PinkPolarbear Foundation, with increased contributions and additional partnerships.

We welcome new ideas and input, so please do not hesitate to contact us, so we can go through this journey together. Send us an email at info@greenlandruby.gl

Responses by CCO, Hayley Henning and Compliance Officer, Thorbjørn Friis

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In conversation with… Jean-Christophe Babin

Responsible Jewellery Council — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 15:30:54 +0000

Jean-Christophe Babin – CEO – Bulgari

What is Bulgari's view on sustainability in the industry?

The link between luxury and sustainability has already begun a few years ago. There are many companies in different sectors that have understood how seizing the opportunity to embrace this value has positive repercussions for the planet and for sales. The pandemic has only accelerated paths in this direction and the target audience of many brands, the Z Generation for example that will be most influential in the future, reward brands that have a positive impact on the environment and society. On the contrary, it is evident that they are beginning to distance themselves from those who do not have a position on these issues. Therefore what was once unthinkable is now essential.

This is an important milestone, what is Bulgari's view on sustainability?

For Bvlgari, sustainable development and social responsibility translate into a constant commitment, aimed at improving the quality of life of the society in which we live through a proactive approach to ethical behavior, social and economic development and environmental principles, capable of involve both company employees and customers, the production chain and the community in general. Bvlgari is constantly committed to promoting correct ethical, social and environmental behavior through the continuous improvement of its activities.

Why are you as a CEO so driven toward sustainability?

When I started my career in Bulgari as CEO I was impressed and attracted by the manufacturing. The clever hands behind wonderful creations. Today I feel like saying that Bello e Benfatto is no longer enough. It is a start, but to arrive at what is beautiful and good, for people and for the planet. It is a challenge and its beauty lies in being able to talk about the brand and creations in a different way, showing corners never explored and reaching the customer through new channels. Today we feel closer than ever to the wishes of the end customer. We listen to him more carefully and are proud to be able to share what really interests him.

Do you also see your customers asking more questions on sustainability credibility?

Luxury in general has included the growing consumer demand for more sustainable luxury goods. Surely what a customer is looking for today comes from the desire for more durable and quality products. We no longer speak only of fashion and trends but of a real structural revolution.

What is Bulgari's next step on its sustainability journey?

In December 2020, pursuing even more ambitious targets, LVMH launched the new LIFE 360 program, a ten-year environmental performance roadmap for the LVMH Group setting three key deadlines – 2023, 2026 and 2030. LIFE 360 is focused on 4 strategic priorities: Creative Circularity, Transparency, Biodiversity and Climate. The program will guide Bulgari through constant improvements of its environmental performances for the creation of products in harmony with nature. More specifically Bulgari will be particularly focused on different activities starting from the Supply Chain Due Diligence on gold, diamonds and colored gemstones. We are planning to accelerate the achievement of key certifications (e.g. Responsible Jewellery Council Chain of Custody and Code of Practices; Leather Working Group; ISO 14001) across our value chain. We will focus on biodiversity through regenerative agriculture projects (e.g. Flower of Gems of India) and reforestation projects (e.g. support to Forestami in Milan area). We’ll invest in innovative technologies for the continuous improvement of environmental performances with a focus on our Stores. Furthermore, we are planning to implement Life Cycle Assessment analysis of our products and promote Circular Economy projects.

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In Conversation with… Pamela Fierst-Walsh

Responsible Jewellery Council — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 16:57:52 +0000

Pamela Fierst – Walsh – Senior Advisor on Conflict and Critical Minerals and the US Representative to the Kimberly Process at the US State Department

What are 1-2 focus areas related to the jewelry supply chain that you think will be important priorities for the Biden Administration in the coming years?

The global gold supply chain is a real opportunity to have a positive impact on national security threats. It touches on transnational organized crime networks, environmental stewardship, counter-narcotics efforts, and terrorism – pretty wide impact, but not all jurisdictions have the exact same fact pattern. Policy makers are well-advised to look at how the U.S. domestic market can drive most sustainable practices, including through greater border controls, and to ensure it becomes its very own policy issue. Too often we tend to try to break it down to its smallest part, which can eclipse the global nature of the commodity as a concern. In addition to that, maintaining strong partnerships with the private sector to reinforce the importance of supply chain due diligence and responsible business practices as a reflection of how important these steps are for national security.

Is there something that you wish the private sector understood better about how policy/regulatory work is actually done in the US government?

It is a lot of different agencies with overlapping equities all trying to drive better results. Sometimes private sector counterparts have thought it could be a “one stop shop” approach to government relations. Alas, that’s not always the case.

What is one message you have for RJC members?

RJC membership is filled with so many passionate professionals. Sometimes, especially due to the number of smaller dealers, there is this sense that they are being singled out unfairly. In truth, there is no supply chain immune from the need for meaningful due diligence. The jewelry industry would be well-served to maintain its sights on the most comprehensive solutions, which starts with truly knowing where and how their goods come to market. Otherwise you simply get businesses looking to do the bare minimum, and this makes it worse for everyone.

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In Conversation with… Tiffany Stevens

Responsible Jewellery Council — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Tiffany Stevens – CEO, President and General Counsel – Jewelers Vigilance Committee

What is the role of JVC in the global watch and jewellery indsutry?

For more than 100 years, JVC has been the jewelry industry’s independent advocate in the US. Our mission is to help jewelers build robust businesses that operate with the highest levels of integrity, ethics, and legal and regulatory compliance. We educate and advise manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and designers – from the largest brands to small, local operators – about their rights and responsibilities as business owners, employers, and advertisers. Our team includes on-staff attorneys who have in-depth knowledge about all aspects of the jewelry industry’s legal and regulatory landscape, and deep relationships across the industry, government, and international organizations.

What does sustainability mean to you, and how does it link to JVC?

Personally, this is my greatest interest. I have been involved in the environment and global trade since my pre-law school fellowship at the National Wildlife Federation in Washington, DC where I represented the organization at (the time, low level!) United States Trade Representative (USTR) sessions on sea turtle conservation. At the JVC our focus is legal advocacy and education around ethics in our trade. So many aspects of our work lead to sustainability as it’s such a large and timely topic hotly debated in all industries currently. In our world, from how Anti Money Laundering protocols can also support locating criminal behavior in human and wildlife trafficking, to helping our members follow employment and labor rules around the globe– and most obviously all the work we do to both advocate and educate on advertising terminology, the JVC is committed to moving the sustainability conversation forward in a real way. We track and educate the trade on all the policy shifts on this topic in the US and around the world, so keep quite busy. It’s time well spent as we see this as the issue driving consumer behavior in the future so want our members well positioned and educated to thrive in this new world.

“The RJC’s mission is more critical than ever in this moment. As momentum builds in the ESG space around the globe, RJC is leading the way in a comprehensive and effective approach to responsibility for all types of jewelry entities. JVC greatly values our long term working partnership with RJC and shared core beliefs of ethics and integrity.”

Tiffany Stevens

Why do you choose to work closely with RJC?

JVC and RJC consider ourselves sister organizations. Our missions and values are closely aligned, although we do our work in slightly different forms. Both organizations are commercially neutral and instead focused on impact. We both act to support human rights, the environment and all the other SDG priority areas and believe that law, democracy and open debate is the best way to live our values as an industry. All of this while actively while supporting our members in having thriving businesses

How do you see the agenda of sustainability evolve in our industry?

Sustainability will take a large step forward in the US beginning in 2022. The Federal Trade Commission, the part of our government that regulates all advertising in the US market, has announced they will review the FTC so called “Green Guides”-the document that defines exactly what is meant by eco, green and all sustainability terminology in for the US market. As of now, the definitions and rules in the US are too vague, which is what creates room for so much uncertainty in the market and among consumers. We aim to work closely with industry and the US government to shape definitions and real meaning behind sustainability so we can bring clarity and results to these noble concepts. We will work with the FTC to voice the opinions of our industry around all aspects of sustainability, transparency and environmental equity.

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In Conversation with… Ivana Ciabatti

Responsible Jewellery Council — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Ivana Ciabatti – Managing Director – Italpreziosi SPA

What does sustainability mean to you, and how does it link to Italpreziosi?

Sustainability is a path that I have undertaken for over 15 years and it represents a way of acting in a concrete way in everyday life, a path and an inner maturation. It is much easier to pronounce than to put it into practice.

Always, and especially in times of crisis such as that of 2020, I have made the sustainable path and humanistic capitalism the guide of my journey as an entrepreneur. With our sustainable strategy, I want to promote a more equitable and harmonious future, respectful of the environment, of the planet’s resources, of human dignity by enhancing education, training and awareness. I believe that sustainability is a social pact with future generations as with this path, in my small way, I want to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Why do you choose to work closely with RJC?

For me RJC represents an important roundtable where we can discuss and collaborate with all the stakeholders of the jewelry supply chain to create more transparent, equal and just businesses. I’m very proud of the job that the association is doing, especially the commitment to the SDGs, which is raising a strong awareness campaign on the importance of sustainability nowaday.

What makes SDG5 Gender Equality such an important and critical topic for you?

I’m a woman in a sector which has always been ruled by men. I believe there is still a lot of work to be done to solve the inequalities, and the first thing to do is act concretely. In a year where 70% of the people who lost their jobs were women, Italpreziosi has hired them. In a year where social well-being has declined, Italpreziosi has supported even more initiatives to combat it both inside and outside the company.

We as women must be more united and cohesive, to help each other, which in my role I try to do and transmit everyday with humility.

I believe in the strength and capacity of women who, in force of their own characteristics, different from men, can contribute in a concrete way to the growth of GDP in their country. I am also convinced that in countries where there are women in power there will be more peace.

Can you tell us some more about your ambitious work on gender equality?

I have always been at the forefront to support initiatives that enhance women’s rights, their potential, their genius and above all initiatives against the violence against them.

For me working towards gender equality and empowerment means to act not only within our everyday lives and our businesses but also participating actively in roundtables to dialogue and give added value bringing our experience.

That is why I believe associations like RJC are crucial. I’m also a member of:

Women in Mining UK, which involves women in the mining industry from around the world.
Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs), is an initiative of UN Women and UN Global Compact and consists of a set of principles that offer guidance to businesses on how to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women in the workplace, on the market and in the community.
As Italpreziosi, we support the He for She initiative, a UN Women project that invites men to join to support gender equality. We campaigned internally to invite our employees to join.

In 2020 we carried out various internal campaigns to increase awareness of the existence of a dramatic phenomenon, namely domestic violence. In a period of great difficulty due to Covid19, with the imposition of the lockdown, many people may have found themselves trapped in their homes. We therefore invited everyone to be sensitive to the issue and to support people who could be subject to it, also giving information on the services that work every day in order to support them 24 hours a day.

Every year we also support the initiative Women for Women Against Violence Camomile Award, where courageous women are rewarded for their courage in fighting this violence, sharing their own experiences that inspire other women.

I am very active locally being president of the Peace Entrepreneurs of Rondine Cittadella della Pace, an association close to women from all over the world. In the past I also promoted the “Premio Internazionale Semplicemente Donna”.

As mentioned, acting is a concrete answer to the issue. In line with the SDGs, we have always tried to create equal opportunities and employ women, starting with our team: from being 35% in 2015, today women represent 45% of our workforce.

In 2020 we also signed the “OECD Stakeholder Statement on Implementing Gender-Responsive Due Diligence and ensuring the human rights of women in Mineral Supply Chains”, through Women’s Rights and Mining (WRM). The objective is to create more awareness on the issue of gender equality through:

The request for information relating to women (number and role) within the companies we work with.
The participation of working groups and projects developed in the supply chain which also provide for the support of miners from small communities, in partnership with public and private sector actors.
Raising awareness of the issue through training and information campaigns and initiatives in the supply chain.

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