RIAA’s Working Group initiative goals
- Build members’ knowledge and understanding of important aspects of responsible investing and sustainable finance.
- Generate and encourage implementation of leading practice responsible investment approaches within the industry.
- Provide an opportunity for members to link with others around important areas related to responsible investment, especially to share information, resources and activities.
- Involve members in addressing some of the challenges in the responsible investment industry and working to achieve a constructive pathway forward.
- Gain members’ views and opinions to aid in the development of RIAA policy positions, advocacy, and research work.
How it works
Working groups hold regular quarterly meetings, and most meetings begin with a special presentation on a relevant topic given by an expert in the field. These presentations are open to all RIAA members. The presentations are followed by the working group meeting which includes updates on workstreams, subgroups, open discussions and resource sharing. Members of the working groups are also invited to volunteer for the subgroups for the opportunity to dive deeper and support the production of outputs.
Time commitment
Members are free to choose their level of participation, and are always welcome to just drop in and get a feel for the working group. Most meetings run for an hour and a half each. Prior to the meeting, an agenda and relevant resources are shared which members are encouraged to read. Members who would like to commit to more than a quarterly meeting are encouraged to join the various subgroups which meet outside of the working group meetings, and often produce tangible outputs such as guides, toolkit, etc.
Working Groups
Aotearoa Collaborative Working Group
The Aotearoa Collaborative Working Group is an initiative by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), providing a platform for Aotearoa New Zealand members of RIAA to actively participate and collaborate on critical responsible investment and sustainability issues.
Latest Working Group Outputs
Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights Investor Toolkit
Human Rights Working Group
The rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and challenges for investors, especially regarding human rights impacts (referred to as ‘AI-related human rights risks’). This toolkit is designed to help investors understand and navigate the key challenges, risks and human rights risks/issues in relation to AI.
Confidentiality
All discussions in the group are confidential and not to be quoted outside the group, unless approval is expressly given by members of the group. Specifically, no statements or quotes made at the working group meeting will be attributed to specific people or organisations outside of that meeting.
No self-promotion
The group (either in meetings or via electronic communication) will not be used to promote the activities, products, services or policies of an individual or organisation, unless expressly requested.
Declaration of conflicts of interest
Members will be expected to self-exclude themselves from any discussions where there are decisions or positions related to their conflict of interest.
Representation
Unless specifically agreed, group members are not authorised to represent the working group nor to represent RIAA. RIAA may speak externally to the types of issues and views being considered by the working group, without specific attribution.
Collaboration between members
The purpose of the working group is to encourage collaboration between members to share insights and leading practices.
Positive change in practice / policy
The working groups aim to influence a positive change in policy and practice within the industry. Members are encouraged to share their examples of policy and practice improvements.
Not engage in or discuss competitively sensitive information
Working groups will at times involve discussions between competitors, or potential competitors. In accordance with competition law, working group members will not discuss competitively sensitive information nor enter into anti-competitive agreements, and will not share such information, specifically that which is not publicly available information.
Apolitical
RIAA is an apolitical organisation that builds relationships with organisations and individuals with a broad range of beliefs and values.
Get involved
Join our communities of practice to build knowledge, share expertise, lift leading practice and address challenges together. If your organisation is not a member yet, visit our Membership page to learn more.
