Non-Credit Course: Business and Human Rights - Real World Accountability

Programme​

In Michaelmas Term 2021 The Bonavero Institute of Human Rights offered a non-credit course in developing strategies for the protection and promotion of human rights with a focus on Business & Human Rights. The object of the course was to introduce students to the strategic analysis of businesses’ impact on human rights, and to promote academic scholarship in the field of human rights informed by current practical human rights problems.

The seminars covered the following topics:

• An Introduction to Business & Human Rights
• Legal Mechanisms for Corporate Accountability
• Political and Public Mechanisms for Corporate Accountability

Each seminar was run by either two leading lawyers or human rights policy practitioners. Seminars involved presentations on specific strategic responses to human rights problems that have been implemented, as well as small group sessions to discuss and develop other strategic responses.

There was no formal mode of assessment but students were expected to attend every seminar. A final student presentation was held in early Hilary term with an audience of Bonavero fellows and practitioners. Upon completion, students received feedback, valuable connection with practitioners and were provided with a certificate of participation.

Co-Convenors

• Ekaterina Aristova, Postdoctoral Fellow in Human Rights and Practice
• Lisa Hsin, incoming Helsby-Kroll Postdoctoral Fellow in Business and Human Rights