Despite increased attention on risks and adverse impacts of business
operations on human rights, and the development of guidelines, initiatives
and case-law, many challenges and obstacles are still hampering desired
progress. Examples of workers in terribly risky environments, women
trafficked in the supply chains, or migrants exploited for profit are still
numerous. In addition, there are other ways in which businesses harm human
rights: in the last five years, over 2000 attacks took place against human
rights defenders working on businesses-related abuses; among the 615 attacks
that have been tracked in 2021, nearly 70% were against climate, land and
environmental rights defenders; today, about 108 million defenseless
children still work in the agricultural sector, often in dangerous
conditions and under limited socially responsible regulation by enterprises.
In this light, business and human rights are still often in opposition:
companies hardly value the human toll of their profitable production.
Governments often fail to protect business-related human rights defenders.
But responsible businesses can prevent potential damages and offer space for
accountability and redress. States regulations and policies can shape
business behaviour and help ensure human rights protection. Recent promising
initiatives can foster transformation. If business and human rights actors
understood better how they could support each other, change would be more
feasible.
This MOOC is a contribution to such understanding. It looks at international
standards and principles as well as regional and national practices. In
particular, it focuses on the links between business and human rights
defenders, case-law, due diligence and children’s rights protection in this
area. It aims to be relevant for businesses themselves, state
representatives, grassroot organisations working on business related issues,
workers and ordinary citizens who wish to inspire a transformation in the
way business and human rights relate to each other.
Course Outline
The course is articulated in two modules:
Module 1 focuses on the
general international framework
on the relation between business and human rights. In particular, it
summarily explains standards, mechanisms, benefits and challenges in the
current set up, especially at the United Nations and regional level.
Specific attention will be paid to the UN Guiding Principles, the UN Global
Compact, and other recent initiatives, examples and practices.
Module 2 is dedicated to specific themes
of pressing value: the protection of human rights defenders working on
business-related abuses; the case-law emerging from recent developments;
corporate responsibility to respect human rights and the development of
legislation on mandatory due diligence; the challenges of intersectionality
and in particular the rights of children in relation to business practices.
In so doing, the course analyses the links with the international framework
and provides examples from different regional areas.
Lecturers and Experts
Drawing extensively from recent debates organised by the UN Global Study Team with high-level stakeholders as well as experts, lecturers and students of the 7 Regional Master’s Programmes of the GC, the MOOC offers a wealth of specialised knowledge and examples, enabling participants to benefit from rich and varied competences. Lecturers/experts include, among others (read all bios here):
Zdzisław (Dzidek) Kędzia
Honorary President, Global Campus of Human Rights
Maria Pia Bianchetti
Programme Specialist, Child Rights and Business,
UNICEF
Claire Methven O’Brien
Senior Researcher and Chief Adviser, Danish Institute
for Human Rights
Maria José Veramendi
Human Rights Officer, OHCHR
Arnold Kwesiga
Manager, Business and Human Rights Unit, University of
Pretoria
Ravi Prakash Vyas
Assistant Professor, Kathmandu School of Law
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course participants will have gained:
Knowledge about key standards, documents and approaches
Understanding of progress and obstacles in terms of more viable
cooperation, from the point of view of companies, states and affected
rights-holders
Ability to identify multi-faceted aspects (pros and cons of each side of
the matter)
Capacity to discuss specific areas and groups/cases of concern
F.A.Q.s
+
Enrolment
How do I enrol in the course?
You can start the enrolment process by clicking the "enrol" button.
Is there a selection procedure to participate in the course?
The course is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), which means we do not select participants on any basis. Rather, we welcome anyone who is interested in learning more about the topic to enrol and participate for free.
+
Fees
I would like to know if the course is free or if some parts are to be paid
Our course is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), which means all components are open and totally free for anyone.
Do I need to pay any fee to attend the course?
There are no registration or tuition fees. The certificate of participation is also free and offered to all those who successfully complete all the course requirements (see below for details on the certificate).
+
Accessibility
Is the course accessible to persons with disabilities?
We want all participants in our courses to enjoy a great learning experience and we strive to always improve accessibility. Each week of the course includes one or two video lectures with accompanying transcripts and reading materials. The texts are in PDF format, work at low bandwidths, are printable and can be zoomed to the desired size. Some readings may include pages from accessible websites. This makes all of them accessible to those who use assistive technology software such as screen readers. Likewise, weekly discussions and module quizzes can be completed through our platform which is accessible, for example, to people who use speech input, keyboard accessible controls or text to speech tools. For more details please visit EdX Website Accessibility Policy.
+
Structure and content
Is there a schedule for the course or is it self-directed?
The course is self-paced so participants can study in their own time.
+
Certificate of completion
What does it mean “Audit-only”? Will I get a certificate?
Auditors can complete any or all the parts of the course at their own pace, but will not receive a certificate. Participants who want proof of completion can simply print the progress chart that they will find in their course page.
I am not interested in a certificate. Can I still audit the course?
Yes. All our courses can be audited for free. If you audit a course, you can participate in any or all activities and quizzes and complete them, but you will not receive a certificate. Do you still want some proof of participation? You can simply print the progress chart that you will find in your course page.