CI Consumer Justice and Protection programme

Indrani ThuraisinghamCI Office for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East

Background

• CI’s work on CP at 3 levels: international, regional and national

Two-fold approach: • Institutional • Lobbying

• Lack of legal basis for consumer rights• Weak enforcement of CP laws and avenues • No recognition of the right of associations • No resources to maintain consumer

associations

Relevance

Rationale

• Lack of consolidated database of resources • Limited advancement of CP measures• Narrow scope of UN Guidelines • Limited access to justice• Weak designated CP Government agency/

independent consumer associations

Objectives of the CJP Programme

• Facilitating development and enhancement of legal/enforcement framework

• Enabling easy access to database of resources • Integrating CP measures in the work of IGOs• Strengthening global CP architecture • Capacitating CI members on access to justice

Implementation strategies

• Global coordination by CIAPME with other CI offices

• Establishment and consultation through CJP Expert committee

CJP and strategic components

Component 1: Global Consumer Protection Architecture

• Research on CPM & Consumer issues• Engagement with UNCTAD• Expert Committee on CJP/ UNGCP network meetings• Campaigns and Trainings

CJP and strategic components contd…

Component 2: Sustainable Consumer Organization Business Models

• Research on Business & Funding Models• Capacity Buidling of CosComponent 3: Partnerships with Intergovernmental

organization Component 4: Development and enhancement of

legal/enforcement framework on CP

CJP and strategic components contd…

Component 5: Asset Library (Database of resources on CJP)

• Communication tools• Sharing of information and linking to database

Component 6: Complaints handling by CO / CP organizations

Expectations from members

• Actively support and follow CI’s work on CJP as well as share information

• Take part in the research and conduct advocacy at the national level

• Networking with relevant agencies• Handle consumer complaints

CJP Programme for 2013

1. Strengthening global consumer protection architecture• Initiate the process to review effectiveness of CP

measures in at least two countries• Conduct analysis of the Global survey on CP

measures• Joint publication of CUTS and CI on CP Regimes

in the world• Global Expert Committee meeting on CJP

2. Support and empower sustainable consumer organization business models.

• Complete final phase of global survey analysis of the sustainable consumer organisations business models

• Capacity Building of COs by conducting at least one online training

3. Develop partnership with IGOs• Engagement with UNCTAD• Establishing at least one partnership with

IGOs • Drafting and submitting project proposals

4. Enhance legal framework on CP• Provide technical assistance to members• Report on recommendations for review of UNGCP5. Establish Asset Library• Database of Resources• Highlight member stories6. Capacitate CI members on consumer redress• Developing guidelines/ standards for consumer

redress

• CJP programme is an excellent opportunity to facilitate co-operation between CI and its members and relevant consumer protection agencies to collaborate on joint initiatives for consumer protection.

- indrani@ciroap.org