Where is the Business and Human Rights Arena Headed?
In December last year, IBLF advertised for a Programme Coordinator to work on business and human rights. Needing to get someone in quickly, we set a one-week deadline and an essay of 250 words, themed ‘In your opinion, what does the future hold for business and human rights over the next five years?’
We were inundated with very high calibre candidates – all with multiples degrees and varied work experience. Their essays were impressive too. While some focused on the ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework’ advanced by John Ruggie, the UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights, his recent Guiding Principles, and ruminated on 2011 and what is set to be an important year for business standards, others chose to focus on what specifically companies should do in next five years. Many stressed the need for business to undertake human rights due diligence; to develop human rights policies that signal their commitment, to assess potential human rights risks, and to critically address any adverse human rights impacts.
Credit: Sven Torfinn
The contrasting responses intrigued me, and in a way, are similar to the varying approaches adopted by different actors in the business and human rights field over recent years. While a huge generalisation, key actors can be seen to cluster into three different levels:
While there have been significant advances over the years in the business and human rights field, real change will only come about through a change in attitude and behaviour by all stakeholders, and a commitment to put differences aside and work in partnership. Understanding the respective positions and challenges of each relevant actor, by all actors, will be necessary if the end goal – the eradication of corporate-related adverse human rights impacts on stakeholders – is to be achieved.
Business Fights Poverty is proud to be a Founding UK B Corp.
© 2021 Business Fights Poverty. The Business Fights Poverty logo and tree device are registered trademarks. View Terms and Conditions.
