The role of the private sector in society is profound. Societies depend on business for upholding social welfare and the centrality of business is likely to become even more crucial going forward. Business, however, can also adopt socially harmful practices, and be a major contributor for example to ecological destruction, climate change, and inequalities. Business practices may also encroach the human rights of individuals (both as employees and beyond).
The Business of Human Rights is intended for learners interested in understanding implications of the protection of the human rights of individuals in various business and organizational contexts, how to transform policy into action, and how different legal and political human rights frameworks are embedded in the activities of business and organizations. After completing the courses, learners will have an understanding of the connection between business and human rights in a globalized world, and be equipped with analytical insights into how human rights are (or are not) realized in a business environment.
The Business of Human Rights consists of the following courses:
- The Law and Policy of Business of Human Rights
- Human Rights in Doing Business
- Thinking and Acting Ethically
- Power and Politics in Organizing
- Preventing and Addressing Corruption
You are free to choose any course, but we strongly recommend to start with ”The Law and Policy of Business of Human Rights” as the course introduces learners to regulation and frameworks of human rights in a business context.
The courses are in English and are completed online, at the learner’s own pace. However, learners enrolled to the courses will be notified of events (workshops, guest lectures, seminars) held at the Åbo Akademi University campus in Turku (the ASA-building) and/or online; these are optional and open for the learners. The schedule of the course live/online events is the following
- The Law and Policy of Business of Human Rights: Jan 7 (14:30–17:00), Jan 14 (14:30–16:00), Jan 21 (14:30–17:00), Jan 28 (14:30–16:00)
- Human Rights in Doing Business: Feb 4, 11, 18, 25 (14:30–16:00)
- Thinking and Acting Ethically: March 4, 11, 18, 25 (14:30–16:00)
- Power and Politics in Organizing: April 1, 8, 15 (14:30–16:00), April 22 (14:30–18:00)
- Preventing and Addressing Corruption: April 29, May 6 (9:00–10:00)