Fact Finding Missions

A Fact-Finding Mission is more or less self-explanatory: a visit by a group of people, usually to another country, to obtain accurate information or to determine the facts about a specific, often contested, issue. The group usually write up and disseminate a report of their findings.

The Corner House has participated in several fact-finding missions to gain information directly from people affected by a development project (a proposed dam or oil pipeline, for example). Sometimes the information is general, sometimes more specific, such as whether they were consulted or not about the project.

The information gathered is used to press the companies, financing agencies and governments involved to adhere to and implement rules and standards on social, environmental and human rights impacts.