Building Forever

Episode Three: Leading Ethical Practices Across Industry

In this episode, we talk about our commitments to sourcing diamonds responsibly, using our rigorous industry-wide standards, the Best Practice Principles (BPPs). We also shine a light on the not insignificant 25% of the industry made up of small-scale and artisanal miners. We share how we’re dedicated to keep standards high, no matter the source.

We begin by talking to Feriel Zerouki, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at De Beers, Elodie Daguzan, Executive Director at the World Diamond Council, and Iris van de Veken, Executive Director of the Responsible Jewellery Council. They share their views on how, together, we make sure diamonds are conflict-free in a complex and constantly evolving industry.

Later in the episode, we hear from Raymond Alpha and Rebecca Kumba Missa of GemFair who are working with small-scale and artisanal miners in Sierra Leone to introduce safe and sustainable standards. We also answer one of our listeners’ burning questions on Leading Ethical Practices Across Industry.

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us.

You’ll find us at [email protected] or reach out on Twitter, @debeersgroup, using the hashtag #BuildingForever

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at ANCHOR.

Today, you’ll learn about:

· Conflict diamonds – unpacking the description 03:52

· The Kimberly Process and what it means to the industry 04:05

· Standards – and why you should care 12:03

· The strength of the Best Practice Principles 13:12

· What consumers want: the shift 17:37

· The benefits to local economies and communities 33:00

· Small scale and artisanal mining 35:44

· The hazards – and how De Beers is making a difference 38:06

Resources

Find out more about the Best Practice Principles

Read more about GemFair

Explore De Beers’ Building Forever goals

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.

Episode Two: Protecting the Natural World

On this episode, we talk about what we see as our responsibility to protect beautiful landscapes, unique plants and remarkable wildlife for future generations. We’re passionate about preserving them; diamonds are a treasure of nature so, as we recover them, it’s only right that we treasure nature in return.

We speak to Werner Taljaard, broadcasting from his home at our Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve in South Africa, and Eben van Heerden, our ecology manager, as they discuss how together, we’re committed to proactive action to ensure positive outcomes for the natural world for generations to come. And listen to the mystery animal sound and see if you can guess which creature Werner was with when he recorded it for us.

Stay tuned later to hear from some of the bright new voices from our Developing Conservation Leaders project in partnership with Fauna & Flora International, as well as the answers to one of the burning questions asked at our protecting the natural world live Q&A.

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us.

You’ll find us at [email protected] or reach out on Twitter, @debeersgroup, using the hashtag #BuildingForever

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at ANCHOR.

Today, you’ll learn about:

Resources

Find out more about the Conservation Leadership Programme

Read more about Fauna & Flora International’s pioneering work

Explore De Beers' Building Forever goals 

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of of this episode.

Episode One: Accelerating Equal Opportunity

On this inaugural episode, we talk about how huge barriers still get in the way of progress towards a future that is fair and equal for all – and that means action is more important than ever.

UN Women’s Dinal Limbachia and our own Katie Fergusson, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Impact, share how we’re committing to making a difference.

Stay tuned to hear from our Head of Equity and Inclusion, Shahila Perumalpillai, as she answers one of the burning questions we heard at our Accelerating Equal Opportunity live Q&A.

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us.

You’ll find us at [email protected] or reach out on Twitter, @debeersgroup, using the hashtag #BuildingForever

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts.

Today, you’ll learn about:

Resources

Take 10 seconds to join the millions of people who have shown the world they stand on the right side of history and make a HeForShe commitment.

If you’re still struggling with what to do and how to help, look out for UN Women’s Proven Solutions, coming 27 May.

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.