[13 May 2026]

The German sustainability network, Econsense, organised a webinar focused on conflict-specific due diligence in conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs). TrustWorks CEO and founder, Josie Lianna Kaye was invited together with TrustWorks Senior Advisors Claude Voillat and Benjamin Miller, to introduce conflict-specific due diligence and the ‘what’, ‘where’, ‘how’ and ‘why’ of the ‘responsible business in conflict’ agenda.

Josie began the session by introducing the evolving conflict landscape, how companies are increasingly exposed to conflict risks and the different elements that constitutes conflict-specific due diligence. Her introduction was followed by a short intervention by Benjamin Miller on the key differences between Human Rights Due Diligence (HHRD) and heightened HRDD (hHRDD), a cornerstone of conflict-specific due diligence. Claude then covered the importance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the legal implications concerning business activities in conflict-affected areas. Finally, Josie ended the session by providing an overview of the upcoming legislation related to the CAHRA-topic and highlighting how the most significant risks to business – spanning legal, brand, investor, and operational issues – and the most salient human rights and conflict risks for stakeholders all occur in CAHRAs.

TrustWorks would like to thank Econsense for organising the webinar and its members for their participation.

About the organiser: Econsense is a sustainable development forum that brings together German businesses and organisations from various sectors to promote corporate social responsibility. The network includes companies from a wide variety of industries, including: Financial Services & Consulting; Industry, Mechanical Engineering & Electrical Engineering; Automotive & Mobility; Chemistry & Materials; Energy & Utilities; Telecommunications & IT; Logistics & Transport; Health & Biotechnology and Consumer goods, retail & media.