SDG Ambassador Community session KICK OFF: Business and Human Rights

On February 26, 2025, we had our KICK OFF “From Agenda 2030 to Pact For The Future” at the Marie-Elisabeth Belpaire building. Participants came together for a day of insights and collaboration. The event featured two plenary sessions and six action learning sessions. The action learning session for the SDG Ambassador Community included speakers such as:

• Astrid Van Parys from CIFAL Flanders Board of Directors & Colruyt Group, moderated the session.
• Leen De Ruck from VS Advocaten, provided a legal perspective on human rights in business.
• Boris Verbrugge from KU Leuven & Möbius, discussed the CSRD’s impact and due diligence requirements.
• Stephan Parmentier from KU Leuven, introduced a human rights test designed for Flemish universities.

•   LinkedIn Astrid Van Parys
•   LinkedIn Leen De Ruck
• LinkedIn Boris Verbrugge
• LinkedIn Stephan Parmentier

UN HOUSE VISIT

On Tuesday 29 April we had the pleasure of organising an insightful visit to the UN House in Brussels for our SDG Ambassador Community. This was a joint initiative by CIFAL Flanders and Voka in collaboration with the UN in Brussels.

The visit allowed for the members of the SDG Ambassador Community – BelOrta, DNS Belgium, Fruit At Work, Upgrade Estate, and Willemen Groep – to connect with several UN agencies in Brussels. Through presentations, Q&A sessions, and informal networking, they were able to gain a deeper understanding of their work and explore meaningful ways to collaborate.

Venue

Morning Programme

Welcome words by Camilla Brückner

Ms. Brückner, Director of the UN/UNDP Office in Brussels, welcomed participants: “The SDG agenda is the best, most comprehensive, and ambitious peace plan that we have, and it allows for all of society to engage — especially the private sector. It sets the market of the future, identifies the needs of the future, and underpins the global ambition of maintaining a stable world.” Ms. Brückner also reflected on the United Nations’ current challenges such as funding cuts from the United States of America and the need for Europe to remain invested.

• LinkedIn Camilla Brückner

Opening words by Peter Wollaert

Mr. Wollaert, Managing Director (CIFAL Flanders) and UNITAR fellow, opened the visit with an inspiring welcome speech, emphasising the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing. He then introduced the speakers, highlighting their expertise and contributions to the programme. His introduction set the stage for an engaging and insightful exchange.

• LinkedIn Peter Wollaert

Opening words by Jens De Vos

Mr. De Vos, Director of Projects at Voka, explained that Voka is the largest and most dynamic network of entrepreneurs in Flanders. Their approach is built on three pillars: to connect, strengthen, and defend. They organise the Voka Charter Sustainable Entrepreneurship project ( VCDO) and have been cooperating with CIFAL Flanders on the 17 SDGs since 2016: “Flemish enterprises are not proud enough to communicate on their SDG efforts, we should communicate more about our ambitions.”

• LinkedIn Jens De Vos

Members of the SDG Ambassador Community and CIFAL Flanders’ Board of Directors introduced themselves to the UN agencies.

BelOrta

When consumers think of healthy food, they often think of fruit and vegetables. BelOrta is aware of their great responsibility to continue earning this trust. Their goal is and remains to bring healthy, tasty, fresh and local fruit and vegetables from the field or greenhouse to the consumer’s plate in a sustainable way.

• LinkedIn Wim Hubrechts

DNS Belgium

Through reliable and recognised domain name services, DNS Belgium seeks to promote a digital and sustainable society. They also aim to be an example to others in the field of corporate social responsibility.

• LinkedIn Sofie Dings

Fruit At Work

Fruit At Work cares about the health of your team and your business, with an extra touch of care for our beautiful planet. In doing so, they like to play a positive role in society. Socially responsible and ethical business is in their DNA.

• LinkedIn Yannick Aerts

Upgrade Estate

Upgrade Estate wants to contribute to society and is always looking for added value that extends beyond meeting financial targets and results. They are committed to ecological & social sustainability, through which they can have a positive impact on society.

• LinkedIn Griet Sinove

Willemen Group

Willemen Groep wants to be the preferred partner that realises future-oriented infrastructure works, projects and buildings in an efficient and climate-conscious manner with care for people and society. They have shaped their sustainable strategy with three focal points: ‘efficient and future-oriented construction’, ‘climate action and sustainability’, and ‘people and society’.

• LinkedIn Franky Van den Berghe
• Linkedin Freke Vermeiren

BESIX

BESIX Group actively supports the Agenda 2030’s peace, humanity, planet and prosperity goals, aiming for sustainable solutions that benefit society and future generations. The Group is particularly focused on SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production) and SDG 13 (Climate action), based on the conviction that these goals are in line with the Group’s core activities and that these are the SDGs to which it can add the most value.

• LinkedIn Muriel Sacré

Presentation by Christophe Yvetot

Mr. Yvetot, UNIDO Representative to the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and the OACPS, Belgium and Luxembourg, and Head of the UNIDO Brussels Office, stated that Industry can become a major engine to rescuing the SDGs: “SDG 9 is the cornerstone of inclusive and sustainable industrialisation. It enables the innovation and infrastructure necessary to achieve the full SDG agenda. UNIDO’s work in sustainable supply chains, clean energy, and industrial development directly contributes to creating resilient economies and addressing climate, energy, and food security challenges.”

• LinkedIn Christophe Yvetot

Presentation by Marise Habib and Rob De Lobel

Ms. Habib, Chief of Mission IOM, and Mr. De Lobel, Head of Unit IOM, underlined the importance of helping migration work for all. In Belgium they focus on “creating effective action with and for diaspora, supporting organisations with their diversity and inclusion strategies, and facilitating diaspora’s work in protecting and assisting migrants”.

• LinkedIn Marise Habib
• LinkedIn Rob De Lobel

Lunch Break 

Participants were able to enjoy a vegan lunch by Groot Eiland, an organisation working on social economy.

Afternoon Programme

Presentation by Marian Blondeel

Ms. Blondeel, Head of Benelux & EU Desk UNRIC, focused on the UN communication priorities for 2025 and highlighted potential areas of cooperation between UNRIC and the SDG Ambassador Community such as awareness campaigns, promoting the SDGs, and providing expertise.

• LinkedIn Marian Blondeel

Presentation by Veronika Hunt Safrankova

Ms. Hunt Safrankova, Head of the UN Environment Programme Brussels Office, provided an overview of UNEP’s mandate and key global milestones in 2025. She emphasised the private sector’s vital role in sustainable development, advocating for multi-stakeholder partnerships to tackle nature, climate, and pollution systematically.

• LinkedIn Veronika Hunt Safrankova

Online presentation by Emily Sims

Ms. Sims, coordinator of the ILO Helpdesk for business on international labour standards in the Unit for Multinational Enterprises and Responsible Business Conduct, outlined the ILO’s role in setting international labour standards that shape responsible business practices globally: “Even if a government doesn’t have its act together, you can still act as a business.” She introduced practical tools available to companies which provide information on the application of these standards such as the ILO Helpdesk for business and business platforms such as the ILO Child Labour Platform and ILO Global Business Network on Forced Labour.

• LinkedIn Emily Sims

Networking Reception

Interested in the presentation? Access the PowerPoint here.