Initatives

While there are a multitude of initiatives in this sector, the Madison Dialogue will focus on profiling those that meet the following criteria:

• Promoting Sustainable Development (We did not seek to define this term instead we accepted this as an intention.)
• Multi-Sector (Including, for example, commercial actors and NGOs or civil society groups in a direct role.)
• Working Towards Independent, 3rd Party Verification (Success, progress or effectiveness would be verified through an independent 3rd partyi.e. not the participants themselves or associations representing a particular sector or sectors.)
• Transparent (The process or project would be open and transparent in its development, execution and reporting.)
• Other Criteria (We recognized that this may be a partial list of criteria and we welcome input and further development of these criteria.)

The Madison Dialogue Manufacturing Working Group The Madison Dialogue Manufacturing Working Group has developed a set of principals for manufacturing fairly made jewelry. Seeking collaboration with other agencies, it is currently in the process of developing standards. If you wish to get involved, email Marc Choyt at reflective@cybermesa.com

The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA): A multi-sector (including mining companies, jewelers, NGOs and community groups) effort to create a standards and a verification systems for minesite compliance with environmental, social and human rights issues at large-scale mines.

The Association for Responsible Mining (ARM): The Association for Responsible Mining, ARM, is an independent, global-scale effort, and pioneer initiative, created as an international and multi-institutional organization to bring credibility, transparency and legitimacy to the development of a framework for responsible artisanal and small-scale mining. The Association for Responsible Mining, ARM, is an independent, global-scale effort, and pioneer initiative, created as an international and multi-institutional organization to bring credibility, transparency and legitimacy to the development of a framework for responsible artisanal and small-scale mining.

The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) :The Canadian Boreal Initiative works with a wide range of conservation organizations, First Nations, industry and other interested parties to link science, policy and conservation activities in Canada's boreal forest. The CBI is behind the Boreal Forest Conservation Framework - developed in concert with leading conservation organizations, resource companies and First Nations. Convened by the Canadian Boreal Initiative, this group forms the Boreal Leadership Council, committed to the conservation and sustainable development of Canada's boreal forest region.

The Diamond Development Initiative: More than a million African artisanal diamond diggers and their families live and work in absolute poverty, outside the formal economy, in countries struggling to recover from the ravages of war. The Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) is a unique effort to address their problems, bringing NGOs, governments and business together in a common effort that aims to convert diamonds from a fuel for war into an engine for development.

The Kimberley Process:The Kimberley Process is a joint government, international diamond industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds - rough diamonds that are used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. The trade in these illicit stones contributed to devastating conflicts in countries such as Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is an innovative, voluntary system that imposes extensive requirements on Participants to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are free from conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process is composed of 45 Participants, including the European Community. Kimberley Process Participants account for approximately 99.8% of the global production of rough diamonds. The international community, including the UN General Assembly and Security Council, and the World Trade Organisation, have all recognised the importance and effectiveness of the KPCS.

Responsible Jewellery Council: The Responsible Jewellery Council's certification system, also known as the "RJC System", requires Members of the Responsible Jewellery Council to be audited by accredited, third party auditors to verify their conformance with the Council's standards, which are set out in its Code of Practices. Members who have been independently verified as conforming to the Code of Practices will become Certified Members of the Responsible Jewellery Council. The RJC System is expected to become fully operational in the 2nd Quarter of 2009, once independent auditors have been trained and audit firms accredited.