Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast / Show Iris Van der Veken - Responsible Jewellery Council - Executive Director & Board Member
Iris Van der Veken is Executive Director and Board Member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (https://www.responsiblejewellery.com), the world’s leading standard setting organization for the jewellery industry, promoting standards that underpin people’s trust in the worldwide jewellery. Responsible Jewellery Council was founded in 2005 by 14 member organizations including: ABN AMRO, BHP Billiton Diamonds, Cartier, World Jewellery Confederation, Diamond Trading Company (part of De Beers), Diarough, Jewelers of America, National Association of Goldsmiths (UK), Newmont Mining, Rio Tinto, Rosy Blue, Signet Group, Tiffany & Co., and Zale Corporation. With a University of Antwerp Bachelor of Law, Iris is a coalition-builder with over 20 years global experience of working in technology, diamonds and jewelry, fashion and government. Iris was actively involved in the development of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Code of Practices, and managed the first global RJC pilot audit in partnership with SGS - the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. Iris is also a board member of Diamonds Do Good (https://www.diamondsdogood.com), a global nonprofit organization whose mission is supporting programs that develop and empower people in natural diamond communities and sharing these stories of positive impact. Iris established and chaired the Network of the United Nations Global Compact Belgium in partnership with the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, chaired the consultative and advisory body to the Office of the Children’s Rights Commissioner in Flanders, and was honored by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs of Belgium for initiating the Global Compact and for her work on promoting corporate social responsibility with a focus on human rights including children’s rights and the role of business.