Corporate Responsibility Initiative 2.0: Where does Parliament stand and how engaged is civil society?

Description

On November 20, 2020, Switzerland voted on the Corporate Responsibility Initiative (KVI). The proposal was supported by 50.7% of voters but failed due to the majority of cantons. A new initiative was launched in 2025. Like the first attempt, this KVI 2.0 aims to hold Swiss companies accountable in cases of human rights violations and environmental damages abroad. However, this time it is less extensive and aligned with EU laws. The Federal Council then presented a counterproposal, which proposes stricter rules for very large corporations. In 2020, not only the cantonal majority was a topic of discussion, but also the engagement of civil society and churches. For example, the Evangelical Reformed Church of Switzerland (EKS) clearly supported the initiative, which also brought her much criticism. Six years later, EKS consciously focuses on creating space for open exchange between political, civil society, and church actors. What responsibility do Swiss corporations bear? How far should their liability go? Should the changed global situation compared to 2020 be taken into account? Is the Federal Council's counterproposal a good compromise? And: What role should churches, NGOs, and other parts of civil society play in this debate? These and other questions will be discussed after an input presentation by David Zaugg, Public Affairs Officer of EKS, together with: Supporters: - Karolina Frischkopf, Director of HEKS and member of the initiative committee - Marc Jost, EVP National Councilor and member of the initiative committee Opponents: - Alexander Keberle, Head of Location Policy and member of the management at economiesuisse - another person Moderation: Rafael von Matt, Federal House Editor at SRF This event is organized in collaboration with one of our supporting organizations, the Evangelical Reformed Church of Switzerland (EKS). The debate will be conducted in German and is free of charge.

Highlights

• Discussion on the Corporate Responsibility Initiative 2.0
• Input presentation by David Zaugg
• Open exchange between politics and civil society

General Information

The event at Käfigturm in Bern addresses the responsibility of Swiss corporations in the context of the Corporate Responsibility Initiative 2.0. Experts and representatives of civil society discuss liability issues and the Federal Council's counterproposal.

Location

Marktgasse 67, 3011 Bern, Switzerland

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