To advance respect for human rights, UConn faculty engage with policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders and support student learning and professional opportunities in business and human rights.
ENGAGEMENT
With the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)
Shareen Hertel, Molly Land, Kathy Libal, Glenn Mitoma, and Stephen Park, members of the BHR Initiative's steering committee (along with Audrey Chapman, the Joseph M. Healey, Jr. Chair in Medical Humanities and Bioethics at UConn Health Center) participated in stakeholder consultations on the Draft General Comment on "State Obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Context of Business Activities"
Our written contribution may be found here
A media article on our engagement may be found here
The adopted General Comment No. 24 on State Obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Context of Business Activities may be found here
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With the Global Network Initiative (GNI)
GNI is a multi-stakeholder group of companies, civil society organizations, investors and academics dedicated to protecting and advancing freedom of expression and privacy in the information & communications technology sector. Molly Land, professor of law and human rights and member of the BHR Initiative's steering committee, is an alternate member of GNI's Board of Directors.
EDUCATION
The Business & Human Rights Initiative supports student learning and professional opportunities by:
Assisting the development and delivery of courses and the incorporation of business and human rights topics through the UConn curriculum. Among current course offerings are: Corporate Social Impact and Responsibility, Business Solutions to Societal Challenges, Assessment for Human Rights and Sustainability, and Politics and Human Rights in Global Supply Chains.
Facilitating student internship and practicum course opportunities with corporations, civil society organizations, international organizations, and government agencies. The Human Rights Institute, the Thomas J. Dodd Center, and the Eversource Energy Chair in Business Ethics, partners of the BHR Initiative, support undergraduate internships in business and human rights.
Supporting and promoting student engagement through on-campus organizations and workshops.
Advancing business and human rights education through national and international organizations.