The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) provide a globally agreed upon standard and framework for states and companies to prevent, address and remedy human rights abuses linked to business operations. Since their adoption ten years ago, the concept of human rights due diligence – which was first introduced by the UNGPs – has seen increasing uptake in policy frameworks, and is currently at the centre of legislative developments, particularly in Europe. 

This episode discusses the role mandatory measures can play in further driving respect for human rights in business, what mandatory measures need to look like to be effective and how we can make mandatory due diligence work across regions.

Your panel for this episode includes:

• Mauricio Lazala, Deputy Director, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
• Anabella Sibrián, Director, Protection International Mesoamerica
• Joan Carling, Global Director, Indigenous Peoples Rights International
• Johannes Blankenbach, EU/Western Europe Researcher & Representative, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre 

Standards on investor responsibility for human rights have evolved substantially over the past decade. Guidance including the UNGPs and OECD guidelines expect investors to clearly state, identify and address how they are respecting human rights within, and how they are using their influence over companies to ensure access to remedy. But how has this translated into action, what can we learn from the positive impacts and how can we mitigate the limitations?

Your panel for this episode includes:

• Christen Dobson, Senior Programme Manager & Researcher, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
• Michelle Cook, Founder, Divest Invest Protect
• Steven Heim, Managing Director, Boston Common Asset Management
• Anita Dorett, Program Director, Investor Alliance for Human Rights

Any securities mentioned during the podcast are not a recommendation to buy or sell. 

Gender discrimination and intersecting structures of marginalisation mean women and girls experience unique and disproportionate business-related human rights abuses. Recent work on the UNGPs acknowledges the structural gender barriers at play, but much still needs to be done by governments and businesses to translate policies into practices that protect and advance the rights of women and girls. How do business operations both perpetuate and exacerbate gender discrimination? Has the UNGP framework been a useful tool for gender justice - and what opportunities and challenges lie ahead?

Your panel for this episode includes: 

• Golda Benjamin, Programme Director, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
• Anannya Bhattacharjee, International Coordinator, Asia Floor Wage Alliance
• Professor Surya Deva, Vice Chair of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights
• Kayla Winarsky Green, Human Rights and Business Adviser, Danish Institute for Human Rights