A Timeline
Significant events in the history of the Voluntary Principles, 2000–2006
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2000
- March
- Initial convening of companies, NGOs and governments on security and human rights issues.
- May
- Second convening identifies three key areas of focus: risk assessment, relationships with public security and relationships with private security.
- July
- Participants review the first draft of the Voluntary Principles.
- September
- Final drafting meeting for the Voluntary Principles.
- October
-
The US Department of State and the UK Foreign Office revised and fine-tuned the set of principles.
- Novermber
- The final draft was circulated to the participating companies and NGOs for final review, with only minimal changes proposed.
- December
- The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights are announced by the US and UK governments.
2001
- March
- Participants reconvene to discuss implementation efforts.
- November
-
A joint US Department of State and UK Foreign Office team visited Nigeria for the purpose of briefing the host country government at senior levels on the Principles, and convening interested companies to address ways to integrate the Principles into their country policies and practices.
- December
- The Dutch government and additional company and NGO join the Voluntary Principles process.
2002
- January
- An additional company joins the Voluntary Principles process.
- March
- A joint US Department of State/UK Foreign Office team visits Indonesia to promote the Voluntary Principles.
- May
- An additional company joins the Voluntary Principles process.
Norway joins the Voluntary Principles
- November
- A joint US Department of State/UK Foreign Office team visits Nigeria to promote the Voluntary Principles.
2003
- January
- A Steering Committee with a rotating membership of governments, NGOs and companies is established.
- June
- First Steering Committee meeting hosted by the UK Foreign Office.
- September
- An in-country process begins in Colombia.
2004
- January
- Secretariat established, co-managed by BSR and IBLF.
An annual plenary meeting was hosted by the Dutch government in the Hague.
- November
- Voluntary Principles website launched.
2005
- January
- Two additional companies join the Voluntary Principles process and two working groups are formed.
- September
-
The Information Working Group of the Voluntary Principles released an update on the in-country working group processes in Indonesia and Colombia.
2006
- January
-
The annual plenary session was held in London, marking the 5-year anniversary of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.
- April
-
The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights Plenary opened participation to more extractives companies, non governmental organizations (NGOs) and host governments.
- May
-
The 5-year review of company implementation efforts and in-country working group progress is made public on the Voluntary Principles website.
- June
-
Explored implementation of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights in Nigeria.