Environment
International SOS Foundation to Host 2024 Duty of Care Awards & Summit in Sydney
The International SOS Foundation has announced its 2024 Duty of Care Awards & Summit, set to take place on October 31, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. This prestigious event will bring together global experts to discuss and share best practices for ensuring employee well-being and safety. The summit will also honor organizations and individuals for their commitment to protecting the health, safety, security, and well-being of their global workforce.
With a theme of "Leading Change for a Re-Imagined Future," this year’s summit will feature industry leaders discussing topics such as AI, climate resilience, geopolitical instability, workplace violence, diversity and inclusion, mental health and well-being, and travel and mobility trends.
As businesses worldwide prioritize employee well-being, the Middle East is emerging as a significant hub for global enterprises and innovation, emphasizing the importance of Duty of Care responsibilities. In line with this, organizations in the UAE and the broader Middle East are implementing measures to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of their workforce.
Since its inception in 2016, the Duty of Care Awards have recognized outstanding contributions from a diverse range of organizations, including technology conglomerates, non-profits, airlines, financial services, and manufacturing companies.
The 2024 awards will be presented in six categories: Duty of Care Ambassador (individual contributor), Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG), Inclusion & Diversity, Innovation, and two new categories, Crisis Agility & Response and Workplace Wellbeing. Winners will be selected by a panel of expert judges and announced live at the event in Sydney.
Kai Boschmann, Executive Director of the International SOS Foundation, emphasized the significance of this year’s event, stating, “As the risk environment continues to evolve, the need for organizations to uphold their Duty of Care responsibilities is more crucial than ever. This year’s Summit & Awards aim to reimagine the future of organizational resilience and promote positive change.”
Judging Panel for the 2024 Duty of Care Awards:
- Jennifer Syed, Deputy Head of Region, Asia-Pacific, Adam Smith International
- Dr. Jennifer Sisson, Dean, Faculty of Travel Medicine, Australian College of Tropical Medicine; Chair, International Society of Travel Medicine’s Travel for Work
- Amy Elleway, Special Counsel, Lexbridge Lawyers; Project Manager & Legal Counsel, National Hydrogen Regulatory Review, DCCEEW, Australian Government
- Kevin Zuccato, General Manager Group Security, Australia Post; Member, Forum of Australasian Security Executives (FASE)
- Peter Koh, Chair, Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) APAC
- Er. Ho Siong Hin, President, International Association of Labour Inspection (IALI)
- Franck Baron, President, International Federation of Risk & Insurance Management Associations (IFRIMA)
- Annacel Natividad, Chairperson, Pan-Asia Risk and Insurance Management Association (PARIMA)
- Deborah de Cerff, Founder, The Employee Mobility Institute (TEMI)
- Dr. Rob McDonald, Adjunct Professor, Monash University’s Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health; Advisory Council, Turner Institute for Brain & Mental Health
- Neil Solomon, VP, Asia-Pacific & Latin America, UKG
ISO 31030 Training Course: On October 30, 2024, the International SOS Foundation will host a CPD-accredited ISO 31030 training course. This course is designed to equip individuals responsible for travel risk management with the necessary competencies to enhance their organization’s travel risk management program.