Overview
MSI Integrity conducted its first global consultation and review process from May 1 – August 31, 2013. Comments and feedback were sought regarding MSI Integrity’s proposed MSI evaluation tool and methodology, as well as the organization’s future activities. More than 100 individuals and organizations provided written comments or participated in one of ten regional meetings in Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, North America, and South America.
The feedback received throughout this process strongly affirmed the value and need for our work to develop independent methods for evaluating MSIs, and to facilitate research and share learning about the impact and value of MSIs from a human rights perspective. An Advisory Group reviewed the comments and presented MSI Integrity’s Board with the Advisory Group Recommendations and Considerations Report in October 2013. The report reiterated overall support for the proposed evaluation framework and MSI Integrity, and provided constructive recommendations based on the comments from the consultation process.
Our Board closely reviewed the recommendations between November 2013 and February 2014. On March 17, 2014, the Board of MSI Integrity responded to the Advisory Group Report with an announcement adopting the core Advisory Group recommendations and detailing the actions being taken to implement them.
In addition, a summary of each comment received regarding the MSI Evaluation Tool during the 2013 Global Consultation process and the resulting modifications is available here.
Draft Materials Provided for Review During Consultation
In advance of the open comment period and regional meetings, MSI Integrity widely disseminated a series of draft materials for review during the consultation process. The process was initially announced and outlined in the Global Consultation announcement. A comment submission guide and comment forms were also distributed for written submissions. To inform the consultation process about the proposed evaluation criteria and methodology, MSI Integrity released working drafts of: the MSI Evaluation Tool (draft version), the proposed Human Rights Scope and Mandate Evaluation Criteria, an Overview of the Methodology (draft), and a Summary Table of the Minimum Standards (draft) (this terminology is now refined to “Essential Elements” based on consultation recommendations). To demonstrate the application and value of the MSI Evaluation Tool criteria and methodology, working drafts of pilot evaluation reports were released with the agreement of 4C (Common Code for the Coffee Community) and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
Advisory Group
MSI Integrity appointed an Advisory Group to provide guidance and additional oversight for the Global Consultation and Review Process. The Advisory Group was comprised of experts with backgrounds in business, human rights, government, and academia. The Advisory Group operated on a volunteer basis, and functioned according to a clear Terms of Reference.
The Advisory Group concluded their commitment on October 16, 2013, when they presented the Board of MSI Integrity with the Advisory Group Recommendations and Considerations Report.
Advisory Group Members
The Advisory Group members included: Greg Asbed, Brad Brooks-Rubin, Deval Desai, Alexandra Guáqueta, Mariëtte van Huijstee, and Tu Rinsche. Adam Greene and Steve Hitov were originally involved in the Advisory Group and participated in early meetings, but were unfortunately unable to contribute to the drafting of the report due to external commitments.