ABSTRACT
The Voluntary Principles represent an unprecedented step in the field of corporate responsibility. The role of governments as convenors is an emerging trend in corporate citizenship. The ability to assess accurately risks present in a Company's operating environment is critical to the security of personnel, local communities and assets; the success of the Company's short and long-term operations; and to the promotion and protection of human rights. The quality of complicated risk assessments is largely dependent on the assembling of regularly updated, credible information from a broad range of perspectives—local and national governments, security firms, other companies, home governments, multilateral institutions, and civil society knowledgeable about local conditions. While public security is expected to act in a manner consistent with local and national laws as well as with human rights standards and international humanitarian law, within the context abuses may nevertheless occur.
