Banks are under attack for empowering human rights violations around the globe. Lenders can improve corporations' practices and sensibilities. They can also empower businesses to run amok. Questions addressed will include: What international governance structures come into play? How do they work and are they effective? What are banks' best practices and actual roles? How do different kinds of financial institutions, including development banks and state-owned financial institutions, operate in this area with different purposes and values? Do banks help or harm human rights?

Mark Wielga is Director of Nomogaia, a non-profit think tank devoted to business and human rights policy and practice. He is active in field work on business in human rights in Africa, Asia and Latin America and in creating leading models of human rights due diligence. Mr. Wielga is a career lawyer, law professor and lecturer.