Cross-sector conferences and online seminars
Ralf Rühmeier
In addition to the sector dialogues, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) organises cross-sector events. The online seminars and conference formats enable knowledge exchange, networking and capacity building across sectors.
Expert inputs and practical examples are used to discuss specific aspects and challenges of human rights due diligence. Members of the sector dialogues regularly share their outputs and discuss their learnings with key stakeholders.
Further information on specific events
16 September 2025: Cross-sector event “Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement – From Principles to Practice”
- Summary:
At the conference “Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement – From Principles to Practice,” 150 international experts exchanged ideas on how principles of meaningful stakeholder engagement can be implemented in practice. Building on the work of the sector dialogues, the participants discussed together with stakeholders from the Global South challenges and success factors.
- Further information:
02 July 2025: Cross-sector event (online seminar) “Sustainability Initiatives and Antitrust Law: Challenges, Opportunities and Practical Recommendations”
- Summary:
Members of various initiatives discussed the possibilities and legal limitations of cooperation on sustainability issues and human rights due diligence with antitrust law experts. Practitioners from the automotive, energy and agricultural sectors shared their experiences with multi-stakeholder projects. The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) presented its fact sheet on sector initiatives in the context of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act.
- Further information:
03 April 2025: Sector dialogues at the CSR Award 2025 network meeting
- Summary:
The members of the Energy Sector Dialogue discussed their practical experiences in meaningful stakeholder engagement and responsible business conduct with the nominated companies and other experts at the CSR Award network meeting.
- Further information:
25 February 2025: Cross-sector event (online seminar) “Collaboration on Grievance Mechanisms – How to make Complaint Channels more Effective”
- Summary
Grievance mechanisms support companies in identifying adverse human rights impacts at an early stage and taking appropriate actions. By collaborating across companies, businesses can pool resources and strengthen these mechanisms, making them more accessible and impactful for rightsholders.
In this online seminar, experts presented examples of effective cross-company grievance mechanisms in the automotive, coffee and textile industry.
- Further Information:
29 November 2024: Cross-sector event “Voluntary Sustainability Standards – Understanding Strengths and Weaknesses for Human Rights Due Diligence”
- Summary:
More than 100 representatives from EU institutions, other member states, business, civil society and trade unions discussed the potential of multi-stakeholder approaches for corporate due diligence in Brussels.
- Further Information:
23 September 2024: BMAS and BMZ event in Brussels “Together Towards Effective Implementation of CSDDD: Multi-Stakeholder Approaches in Corporate Due Diligence”
- Summary:
More than 100 representatives from EU institutions, other member states, business, civil society and trade unions discussed the potential of multi-stakeholder approaches for corporate due diligence in Brussels.
- Further Information:
31 May 2024: Cross-sector event (online seminar) “Fair Purchasing Practices: Responsible Contracting to Strengthen Collaboration along the Supply Chain”
- Summary:
Participants were given an overview of the regulatory requirements of responsible purchasing and possible approaches for implementation. Human rights challenges in international value creation can only be addressed through responsible cooperation along the supply chain. Fair purchasing practices and responsible contracting play an important role in this process.
The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) and, in particular, the EU Supply Chain Directive (CSDDD) mention responsible purchasing and contracting practices, as well as cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as central instruments of due diligence.
27 June 2023: Cross-sector event “Supply Chain Transparency in Politically Sensitive Contexts”
- Summary:
Initiated by the BMAS and in cooperation with the Automotive Sector Dialogue, this cross-sector event on supply chain transparency took place with a focus on politically sensitive contexts. More than one hundred participants shared their experience and knowledge on traceability methods and responsible disengagement.
- Further information:
27 September 2022: Cross-sector event “Sector Dialogue Automotive Industry - Shaping Fair Supply Chains”
- Summary:
The results of the Sector Dialogue Automotive Industry were presented to the public for the first time at the conference. More than 150 participants, including board members of the organisations, took part. The main focus was the presentation and publication of guidelines for the five core elements of human rights due diligence, which were developed by the Automotive Sector Dialogue. In addition, panel discussions and interactive workshops on responsibility along global supply and value chains were held.
Impressions from the conference ‘Sector Dialogue Automotive Industry – Shaping Fair Supply Chains’ on September 27, 2022
State Secretary Lilian Tschan, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), and moderator Tanja Samrotzki open the conference.
Ralf Rühmeier
Event Location: Humboldt Carré in Berlin.
Ralf Rühmeier
Panel Discussion: “Jointly shaping corporate due diligence in global supply chains”.
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Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA).
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State Secretary Lilian Tschan, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), with Renata Jungo Brüngger, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Board member / Integrity & Law, and Dr. Ralph Obermauer, Board member / Mobility & Automotive Engineering, IG Metall.
Ralf Rühmeier
State Secretary Lilian Tschan, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS).
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The panelists from left to right: Prof. Dr. Stefanie Lorenzen, Germanwatch, Sabine Jaskula, ZF Group, Lilian Tschan, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), Renata Jungo Brüngger, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Dr. Ralph Obermauer, IG Metall, Filiz Albrecht, Robert Bosch GmbH and Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) during the presentation of the guidelines.
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Michael Windfuhr, German Institute for Human Rights.
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Participants at the Humboldt Carré.
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Presentation of the automotive sector dialogues' results with representatives of the German Institute for Human Rights, BMW Group, SÜDWIND, Schaeffler AG, and DRÄXLMAIER Group.
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Topic Stations: Presentation of results from the sector dialogue.
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Topic Stations: Presentation of results from the sector dialogue.
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Topic Stations: Presentation of results from the sector dialogue.
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Workshop: Corporate due diligence in politically sensitive contexts – scope and threats.
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State Secretary Kerstin Griese, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), opens the workshop: Corporate due diligence in politically sensitive contexts – scope and threats.
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Workshop: Corporate due diligence in politically sensitive contexts – scope and threats.
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Workshop: Effective complaints management: successfully implementing sector and cross-company concepts.
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Workshop: Challenge tier-n – Due diligence in the deeper supply chain.
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Susanne Salz, German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and moderator Tanja Samrotzki.
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Closing statement by Michael Windfuhr, German Institute for Human Rights, with moderator Tanja Samrotzki.
Ralf Rühmeier