10.07.2008 - 09:01am ET

(CSRwire) VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA. - October 7, 2008 - The Steering Committee for the human rights impact assessment (HRIA) of Goldcorp Inc.'s operations in Guatemala announced today the selection of On Common Ground Consultants to conduct the Assessment and International Alert to serve as the peer reviewer. The Steering Committee also announced that it has established a website on which documents relevant to the Assessment are posted (www.hria-guatemala.com). It will be regularly updated throughout the Assessment process. The Steering Committee directing the assessment process is made up of a company representative, a representative of investor groups and a Guatemalan representative.

Information regarding On Common Ground is available at www.oncommonground.ca. The On Common Ground team will be comprised of Giselle Huamani-Ober, Susan Joyce, Eduardo Bryce, and Myriam Cabrera. The team will be lead by Giselle Huamani-Ober and she will guide the conflict analysis approach and identify conflict sensitive perspectives throughout the Assessment process. Giselle has extensive experience in system design for dispute resolution, conflict resolution program development, training for capacity development in conflict analysis, negotiation and mediation, design and facilitation of multi-stakeholder processes, and evaluation of program and processes for peace building and conflict resolution. Eduardo Bryce has a double expertise in anthropology and law, and his role in the project will be as a leading expert on cultural issues and human rights. Eduardo has been involved with human rights work since 1984 and also has worked extensively in the issue of indigenous rights, and has an important history in ethnographic and indigenous filmmaking. He worked as a United Nations Verification Officer, Program for the Assistance and Compensation of the Victims of the Armed Conflict, for the United Nations Mission in Guatemala and also served as International Observer on Human Rights, Chief of the Human Rights Regional Office of the Huehuetenango Department - United Nations Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA). Myriam Cabrera has extensive experience and expertise in the field of intercultural negotiations, conflict management and reconciliation processes. Her role will be to assist in the design and development of multi-stakeholder participatory processes providing the needed contextual and culturally sensitive approaches. Susan Joyce, Principal of On Common Ground, will bring senior expertise to the assessment of corporate policies and performance, and contribute to the development of constructive recommendations for this project.

Information on International Alert is available at www.international-alert.org. The International Alert team will be comprised of Salil Tripathi, William Godnick, Cristina Sganga, and Diana Klein all of whom participate in International Aler's Peacebuilding Issues Programme. Mr. Tripathi, Senior Policy Adviser in the area of business and conflict, has been closely involved with the conception and development of several key global initiatives, such as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the Voluntary Principles for Security and Human Rights for the Extractive Sector, and the Global Compact. Mr. Godnick, Senior Policy Adviser for Latin America, recently has focused on issues of security and human rights among extractive industry operations and local economic opportunities for demobilised combatants, displaced persons and vulnerable populations. Ms. Sganga, Senior Training Coordinator, has worked in the human rights field since 1985 with the specific focus of promoting a better understanding and use of human rights standards to enhance the capacity of States to fulfill their obligations and promote the participation of industry and civil society in the protection and promotion of rights. Ms. Klein, Project Manager, has worked on engaging private sector actors in peacebuilding and using economic approaches to peace and reconciliation.

The Steering Committee wishes to express its appreciation for the more than thirty submissions from individuals and organizations to the request for proposals (RFP) issued last month. The large number of responses is indicative of the interest in this project.

Click here to access the Spanish Version of this release

Inquiries regarding the Assessment may be directed to the Steering Committee by e-mail at: steering.committee@hria-guatemala.com.