Business and Human Rights Masters Course

2025 Curriculum Handbook

Welcome to 2025's Masters Course on Business and Human Rights. This webpage provides full details and reading lists for this year’s lectures. It also provides short biographies of the faculty. All times for lectures are CET.

Practical and administrative information on the course, including zoom links for the lectures, can be found online at https://mitt.uib.no (login required).

If you would like to connect with fellow students and lecturers, past and present, please request to join the BHR Masters Course LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8968379/.

Assessment

The assessment is a semester paper/academic essay assigned at the beginning of the semester. It is mandatory to submit a draft of the exam mid-semester, on which you will receive written feedback and comments. There are no specific requirements as to how developed that mandatory submitted draft has to be, but keep in mind that the value, quality, and scope of the feedback is dependent on the effort that you put into the draft.

The deadline for submitting the draft is: TBC (CET).

The draft is to be submitted on the course portal, MittUiB.

The final deadline for submitting your exam is: TBC (CET).

The final exam is to be submitted through the UiB exam portal, Inspera (see Mittuib for details).

Contacts

Feedback

We would be very grateful if you could provide feedback on the lectures/lecturers via this short survey: TBC


Week 1 Day 1: Thursday 18th September

1430-1630: Introduction - Therese Jebsen, Jostein Hole Kobbeltvedt, Andrea Mevold Zakariassen, Salil Tripathi, John Morrison

  • Introduction to Rafto - Therese Jebsen, Jostein Hole Kobbeltvedt
  • Introduction to the UIB - Andrea Zakariassen
  • Introduction to IHRB - John Morrison
  • Student Introductions

1630-1645 – Break


1645-1715: Course Outline – Salil Tripathi


1715-1745: Academic Writing and ExamsAndrea Zakariassen / Terje Knutsen


1800: Meet at Rafto House, Menneskerettighetenes plass 1, 5007 Bergen


1800-1845: Conversation with John Morrison OR Vicky Bowman


1845: Pizza, drinks


Week 1 Day 2: Friday 19th September

1000-1130: Business and Human Rights: Introduction - Salil Tripathi

Why should business care for human rights? A historical perspective setting out the rationale for the course leading up to the protect-respect-remedy framework. What are the drivers of change? Why do things need to change? Companies respond to positive and negative incentives to change their behaviour. These include statements of ethics and values, consumer activism, shareholder activism, trade union activism, multi-stakeholder initiatives, regulatory changes, legislation.

Required reading:

Additional reading::


1130-1200: Break


TBC 1200-1315: Expanding Web of Liabilities - Mark Taylor

Hundreds of human rights and environmental cases against corporations have been launched in countries around the world in the past two decades. This body of what might be called 'counter corporate litigation' involves legal actions seeking to hold business actors to account for alleged violations human rights and involvement in international crimes, or harms to the environment and biosphere. Sometimes these legal actions seek remedies for victims, sometimes they are a form of strategic litigation. Usually they are both. 

In this lecture, I will focus on mapping this "expanding web of liabilities", in particular the main patterns of counter corporate litigation and identify the kinds of business activity that give rise to litigation. We will discuss what these patterns tell us about the priorities for business regulation and legal reform, including the integration of human rights and the environment into legal instruments governing corporate activities, transnational approaches to corporate accountability, and a willingness to challenge unsustainable business models. 

Reading:

Additional resources:


1315-1415: Lunch Break


1415-1530: Business, Human Rights and Environment - John Morrison

TBC

TBC Reading:


1530-1600: Break


TBC 1600-1715 Corporate Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD): What are the Implications of Mandatory Measures? - Rae Lindsay

One of the key ways in which businesses can "know and show" that they respect human rights is by having in place human rights policies and due diligence processes aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Over the years, critics have said that business practice has moved too slowly, leading to calls for mandatory measures to require businesses to implement more meaningful HRDD. Recent years have seen an expanding web of new laws and regulations: first aimed at disclosure of steps being taken to counter abuses such as modern slavery, and more recently imposing mandatory requirements for due diligence and access to remedy that are clearly inspired by the UNGP.

The EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, adopted in 2024, is the most wide-ranging and ambitious example to date. Will these legal measures be a positive force in improving business respect for human rights and holding them to account for adverse impacts across their value chains? Or will these laws prove to be little more than a driver for tick-box compliance, or worse still result in perverse outcomes that fail to improve the outlook for individuals and communities who are adversely affected by transnational business?

Reading:

  • UN Human Rights "Issues Paper" on legislative proposals for mandatory human rights due diligence by companies (June 2020)

Optional:


Week 1 Day 3: Saturday 20th September

TBC 1000-1115: Introduction to the Business and Human Rights Framework - Anita Ramasastry

International human rights law is normative. The frameworks that apply to business and human rights are drawn from UN declarations, conventions, protocols, and norms. The class will show the evolution in the UN system leading up to the negotiations for a binding treaty.

Required reading:

Additional suggested reading:

  • Just Business: Multinational Corporations and Human Rights, John Ruggie (2013)

1115-1145: Break


1145-1300: Compliance across Jurisdictions (TBC)Joanne O’Donnell

The presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of key human rights and environmental regulations across the EU, USA, and globally that are integrated into the various stages of the product lifecycle from raw material sourcing, workforce, design and manufacture, to advertising and waste/disposal. The goal is to equip participants with the knowledge to navigate these complex requirements by outlining key obligations and recent developments.

The presentation will also cover the shift from voluntary to mandatory compliance, as well as trends such as stricter enforcement and increase in litigation. In addition, it will also address challenges and best practices in ensuring human rights and environmental regulatory compliance. The presentation will conclude with some ‘key takeaways’ and tools to help attendees navigate the continued avalanche of new laws and regulations.

Reading:


1300-1400: Lunch break


TBC 1400-1515: Norwegian Pension Fund and Ethical Responsibility of Investors - Pia Rudolfsson Goyer

Goyer's lecture is about how investors work with human rights risk in their investment work, with a particular emphasis on the Norwegian oil fund. Goyer shares her experiences from her work for the Fund's Council on Ethics, where she worked with human rights cases for 12 years. 

Reading:


1515-1545: Lunch break


TBC 1545-1700: Corporate Due Diligence: The State of PlayRon Popper


Week 1 Day 4: Sunday 21st September

1000-1115:Threats to business and human rights agenda from a deglobalising world (TBC) - Anita Ramasastry

TBC

TBC Reading:


1115-1145: Break


1145-1300: Why Sustainability and Compliance with International Standards Matter for all Companies - Malin Helgesen

In this session, we will discuss how the rapid changes to our physical environment, coupled with the decline of democracy and rule of law, are leading to substantially decreased access to raw materials, productive workforces, a stable financial system and other fundamental bases for business resilience and growth. In thshiftis context, we will explore whether sustainable business practices impede competitiveness or can act as a catalyst for business resilience and growth through the implementation of international human rights standards such as the UN Guiding Principles and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.  

Reading - compulsory:

Voluntary:

  • Shift: Climate Action and Human Rights - How the UN Guiding Principles can help companies respect human rights when responding to climate change. 
  • Transformative business models: Case study on Veja by the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights 
  • Blog by Günter Thallinger, Allianz SE, on Climate, Risk, Insurance: The Future of Capitalism 

1300-1400: Lunch break


1400-1515: HR due diligence in the garment supply chain – Andrei Vasiliev

In this lecture, Andrei will explore how meaningful stakeholder engagement can be integrated into the day-to-day practice of human rights due diligence. Drawing on field experience, he will share lessons from efforts to provide access to remedy and manage critical human rights cases—highlighting both the operational challenges and the potential for shared accountability in driving long-term change in supply chains.

Reading:


1515-1545: Break


1545-1700: Child Labour in Supply Chains (Case Study) – Salil Tripathi

The class will discuss the case of child labour use in supply chains. The lecture will also cover other instances, including Coca-Cola and sugar in Central America, garment industry in India, and sports goods manufacture in Pakistan.

Reading:



Week 2 Day 1: Friday 10th October

TBC 1300-1415: The China Question - Isabel Hilton

China is now the world’s second largest economy and a major global investor. It also has a distinct approach to human rights and an announced intention to rewrite the global rules on this and a number of other established norms.  Can it succeed and what would it mean for human rights? 

TBC Reading:

TBC Additional optional resources:


1415-1445: Break


1445-1600: Oil and Nigeria – Nnimmo Bassey

Oil, Human Rights, the Environment and the Niger Delta explores the state of oil in the Niger Delta, by examining the current state of play in the region, the continued impunity and recent landmark reports on the human and environmental health conditions. The lecture also looks at “divestment” moves by international oil companies to avoid responsibilities for almost 7 decades of environmental genocide. Also reviewed are the future of fossils and implications forthe wider region. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the Niger Delta struggles for socioecological alternatives and equally look at lessons for the rest of Africa.

TBC Optional reading:

  • Wengraf, Lee: Extracting Profit
  • Bassey, Nnimmo: To Cook a Continent
  • Galeano, Eduardo: The Open Veins of Latin America

1600-1630: Break


TBC 1630-1745: Just Transitions - Nick Robins

TBC The climate crisis poses a significant challenge to human life. But steps taken to mitigate those risks also create human rights challenges, including loss of jobs and the need for retraining workforce. Governments and businesses have to undertake significant cost-benefit analyses to arrive at just solutions that seek to protect the planet while ensuring livelihoods. The lecture will look at the role finance can play and how human rights framework can inform policy-making. Participants are asked to identify a practical example from their own experience where the just transition imperative has come alive which can then be discussed in the session.

TBC Reading:


1745-1815: Break


TBC 1815-1845: Title TBC Haley St Dennis

TBC Reading:


Week 2 Day 2: Saturday 11th October

TBC 1300-1415: Cultural Rights and the Extractive Sector – Deanna Kemp

TBC In May 2020, the mining company Rio Tinto destroyed rock shelters of considerable cultural and historic significance at Juukan Gorge, near the Brockman Iron Ore Mine, in Pilbara, Western Australia. Human rights and environmental groups protested; the community was outraged; investors revolted; the company apologized; and major personnel changes took place. The class will discuss the case.

TBC Reading:


1415-1445: Break


TBC 1445-1600: Dalits and Discrimination – Beena Pallical

TBC India has laws that outlaw untouchability and discrimination, yet discrimination persists. India has extended job quotas to historically underprivileged groups but only in the state sector, and discrimination persists in the state sector. How do human rights defenders campaign for change? Pallical, from the Rafto Laureate National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights, will speak of Dalit workers in supply chains and the campaign against inequality in India and beyond.

TBC Reading:


1600-1630: Break


1630-1745: LGBT (TBC) - Frank Mugisha

TBC

TBC Reading:


1745-1815: Break


TBC 1815-1930: Race and the corporation

TBC

TBC Reading:


Week 2 Day 3: Sunday 12th October

1300-1415: Migrant Workers and Forced Labour in Supply Chains - Bonny Ling

Bonny will talk about recruitment policies of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan and then bring it to responsible investments, as I see that as having one of the most important leverages right now.

TBC Reading:

TBC Additional reading:


1415-1445: Break


1445-1600: Accountability: Ethical Trade and Sustainable Supply Chain: - Heidi Furustøl

TBC Globalisation has created complex supply chains where goods are manufactured in distant parts of the world and sold in distant consumer markets, with many intermediaries in between, including agents and brands. How practical is it for supply chains to reflect ethical behaviour and conform to international standards, and what powers do consumers have? This lecture will include an introduction to the new Norwegian Transparency Act.

TBC Reading:


1600-1630: Break


1630-1745: Human Rights Across Complex Supply Chains – Duncan Warner

The products we buy and use every day often come from some of the most recognised retailers in the world. As consumers, we expect these companies to have carefully considered a range of factors in how they source and produce these goods. Yet, retail supply chains are inherently complex and nebulous. They often stretch across the globe, involve many tiers, and can be characterised by opaque practices that impact vulnerable rightsholders who may not be afforded the protections many take for granted. This complexity can limit a company’s ability to trace impacts, deliver suitable due diligence and effectively leverage influence – so when there are so many products and risks where do you start? How do you generate business engagement and commence the process for mapping, understanding and remediating rights holder impacts? When you find them, what do you do and who can support you? 

This lecture will explore how large, diverse businesses such as retailers can align with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). It will examine the practical and ethical challenges they face, from limited traceability to the difficulties of operating responsibly potentially many tiers and time zones away from those most at risk of impact whilst ensuring businesses understand the risks and realities of impactful remediation and obligations based on actions and omissions.

Readings:


1745-1815: Break


1845-1930: Gender-based discrimination and corporate issues - Harpreet Kaur

TBC This class will examine gender-based discrimination and the role of companies to prevent discrimination, harassment, and bullying, and ensuring equality for workers, consumers, and the society. The class will also introduce the gender guidance on the UNGPs from the UN Working Group.

TBC Reading:

TBC Additional reading:

Week 3 Day 1: Friday 31st October - Technology

1300-1415: Tech Privacy and Human Rights - Iain Levine

Protection of human rights in the digital world is an existential challenge for the human rights movement , especially with the rapid development of AI. The class will cover some of the critical opportunities and challenges for human rights in the digital world, will track some of the key geopolitical trends impacting the discourse around digital rights and then will deep-dive into my own experiences working for the human rights team at Meta. We will look at the relevance of the UNGPs for developing a human rights policy; human rights due diligence and impact assessments; the challenge of stakeholder engagement - especially with underrepresented communities; protecting human rights defenders, racial and religious minorities, women and LGBTQ communities; crisis and conflict. We will also touch on the respective role of advocates within the company and those outside and how their efforts frequently don't align.

Reading:


1415-1445: Break


1445-1600: Regulating digital rights: how multi-stakeholder collaboration in technology can support freedom of expression and privacy - Vicky Bowman    

Tech companies and users need to be regulated, but how to strike is the right balance between protection and overreach? This session will draw on current challenges and examples, and the role of the Global Network Initiative in promoting accountability and good practice.

Reading:


1600-1630: Break


TBC 1630-1745:

TBC

TBC Reading:


1745-1845: Break


1845-1930: Unpacking Fairphone: Systemic & Circular Thinking for Ethical Electronics – Sean Ansett

In a world addicted to rapid technological turnover and opaque supply chains, Fairphone stands as a radical experiment in ethical consumer electronics. This session explores the Fairphone journey as a living case study in systemic and circular thinking.

Through the lens of Fairphone’s bold experiment, we’ll explore how a single company is attempting to rewire an exploitative system by embedding human rights and circular economy principles into its core business model. Key themes include responsible mineral sourcing, the right to a living wage, labor rights in global supply chains, product modularity as a path to consumer empowerment, and designing out waste.

Through Fairphone’s evolution, students will gain insight into the interconnected nature of social, environmental, and economic challenges in the electronics sector.

This class challenges will challenge participants to critically assess the role of business in upholding—or undermining—human rights, and to explore the potential and limits of ethical innovation in high-impact industries.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Analyze how systems thinking is applied in real-world sustainable business models.
  • Evaluate the trade-offs and tensions in ethical sourcing and production.
  • Map circular economy strategies in product design and supply chains.
  • Reflect on the role of consumer behavior, policy, and activism in transforming industries.

Format: Interactive case study from one of the company’s founding team members. 

Reading:

TBC Olafsson case – Salil Tripathi      SALIL IS THERE TIME FOR THIS?


Week 3 Day 2: Saturday 1st November

1300-1415: National Contact Points as Remedy - Frode Elgesem

The lecture will follow up on the importance of accountability and access to remedy for victims of business-related human rights impacts and examine the OECD National Contact Points as a non-judicial complaint mechanism and its effectiveness in offering remedy.

Required reading:

Optional resources:


1415-1445: Break


1445-1600: Role of Investors –  Elisabeth Andvig

The lecture will assess how Norway's systematic approach to transparency and engagement has developed over time, examining both successes and limitations of this model. Attendees will gain insights into evaluation methodologies, engagement strategies, and practical implementation, offering lessons for institutional investors considering how different approaches to responsible investment might align with their own contexts and objectives while balancing sustainability goals with fiduciary responsibilities. Different milestones in defining the ethical criteria for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund, looking at minority shareholder responsibility, and stewardship practice in the context of ESG-backlash will be explored. 

Reading:

Suggested additional reading:


1600-1630: Break


1630-1745: The Human Rights impacts of tariffs on Supply Chains Sanchita Banerjee Saxena

Despite the claims of many global brands to engage in responsible sourcing practices, it is far more common for them to engage in transactional or indirect relationships with their suppliers in the global South. Research has shown, however, that a partnership or direct relationship model can create better business opportunities for both sides, as well as contribute to better labor conditions, especially during times of crisis. This class will introduce the concept of shared responsibility in global supply chains by focusing on the impetus for rethinking these relationships, the reality of the partnership model as it stands, and what elements are needed to truly build collaborative and resilient relationships. The class will include a lecture on these topics and small group work to brainstorm a new partnership model.

Reading:


1745-1845: Break


TBC 1845-1930: Corruption, Business, and Human Rights - Morten Koch Andersen

Reading:


Week 3 Day 3: Sunday 2nd November

TBC 1300-1415: Business and Human Rights – The Role of Human Rights Defenders – Andrew Anderson

TBC Front Line Defenders' latest Global Analysis again highlights that "HRDs denouncing business-related human rights abuses continued to be subjected to numerous attacks, both online and offline, perpetrated by multiple actors, including State forces, company staff and company-linked individuals." Those working on human rights in the context of land rights, indigenous peoples' rights and environmental rights continue to be those at highest risk. Corruption continues to be the key driver of this violence. Strengthening the protection of human rights and human rights defenders requires better laws and more effective implementation. It also requires better engagement between businesses and human rights defenders. For many businesses this is also in their interests. In the UK  39 investors representing £3.9 trillion have expressed their support for a Business, Human Rights & Environment Act with liability provisions for companies failing to prevent harm.

TBC Reading: As embedded


1415-1445: Break


1445-1600: What does the field of business & human rights offer workers and trade unions?Ruwan Subasinghe

The vast majority of workers producing goods and providing services to the largest global multinationals are not directly employed. Instead, multinationals operate through contractual relationships within a non-transparent network of suppliers. This often makes them immune from legal accountability, as there is often no legal cause for action when violations occur in supplying companies. At the same time, workers are also often impeded from seeking justice against local companies, which are often under-resourced, thus making them effectively judgment-proof. Moreover, multinationals tend to prefer business relationships in countries with low wages, weak labour laws and ineffective judicial systems. Trade unions fighting to improve conditions in these countries are up against foreign chambers of commerce blocking minimum living wages or regulations designed to ensure safe and secure work.

The UNGPs, the OECD MNE Guidelines, the ILO MNE Declaration, and current and emerging corporate accountability legislation at the national, regional and global level offer trade unions and workers a concrete framework to effectively realise their human rights, including the enabling rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. In this lecture, we will explore trade union strategies, success stories and the ever-increasing challenges in this space.  

Reading:


1600-1630: Break


TBC 1630-1745: OECD Guidelines as a framework for business and human rights (with group exercise) 

TBC

TBC Reading:


1745-1845: Break


1845-1930: Operating in Occupied Territories - W Sahara example Erik Hagen and Asria Mohamed; Commentary by Mark Taylor

Western Sahara is treated by the United Nations as the last unresolved colonial issue in Africa and the territory’s people have the right to self-determination and independence. This right is rejected by neighbouring country Morocco, which occupies the territory. Corporations – primarily in the sectors of renewable energy, fisheries, minerals and infrastructure – strike deals with Morocco for exploitation of the territory’s resources, without taking into account the applicable international law. International courts repeatedly conclude on the Saharawi people’s side. Western Sahara Resource Watch will present how they expose the foreign corporate activities in the territory, and how they challenge them, with success.

Reading:

Week 4 Day 1: Friday 21st November

1000-1115: Corporate Due Diligence in the Extractive Sector – Froydis Cameron-Johansson

In a world where the supply of critical metals and minerals are key to the low carbon energy transition, how does responsible business navigate the human rights landscape from early-stage exploration in remote areas, to project development (often with joint venture partners, usually governments) through the logistics and supply chains and on to closure or divestment?

Using real examples, we will step through the key challenges and considerations a responsible company would go through to practically apply the UNGPs and VPSHR.

TBC Reading:


1115-1145: Break


1145-1300: Shipping and human rights – Francesca Fairbairn

Description:

When we think of supply chains we tend to think of mines or farms, construction workers or factories, possibly fulfilment warehouses or retail stores, cars or phones. But between every stage of processing, stuff is transported, sometimes multiple times and mostly by ship. 90% of world trade travels by sea. Raw materials may end up make many journeys by ship before they reach their end consumer. And all of this is managed and delivered by the world's merchant navy: 1.8 million seafarers on 60,000 vessels. Who is responsible for their welfare?

TBC Reading:


1300-1400: Lunch


1400-1515: Challenges for the Extractive Sector, Hydro - Nina Schefte

TBC The Norwegian extractive sector has made significant pledges to work towards sustainability. Norway also has an exemplary programme to channel oil revenues towards public good through the investments of its sovereign wealth fund. Marte Stensrud has led work on social responsibility at Equinor, and Nina Schefte, at Hydro, two large Norwegian companies in the extractive sector. In this conversation they will share dilemmas, experiences, challenges, and solutions the companies have developed, through examining corporate conduct, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability principles.

Reading:


1515-1545: Break


1545-1700: Post-conflict Reconstruction - Giulio Ferrini

TBC

TBC Reading:


TBC 1700


Week 4 Day 2: Saturday 22nd November

TBC 1000-1115: Corporate Complicity in Armed Conflict - Mark Taylor

TBC

TBC Reading:


1115-1145: Break


TBC 1145-1300: Operating in high-risk environments:  Sinisa Milatovic


1300-1400: Lunch


1400-1515: Conflict and Humanitarian Law: Challenges for Business in High-Risk Areas – Claude Voillat

Businesses may wish to avoid operating in or being associated with conflict-affected regions or high risk areas, but many of them do not have that luxury. When operating in conflict-affected regions, businesses run the risk of triggering adverse impacts both on the conflict dynamics as well as on the people and communities, either directly though their operations or indirectly through their products, services or relationships. 

The session will explore the particular context of conflict environments, the laws that businesses are expected to uphold and the legal protections they enjoy in such environments, etc. The lecture will be delivered by a former official of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who has worked closely with conflicts for +30 years and is passionate about the challenges of business activities in such environments.

Reading:

Additional non-compulsory reading:


1515-1545: Break


TBC 1545-1700: Western Petroleum case – Salil Tripathi


TBC Dinner speaker: Conversation with a Rafto Laureate – Rhouba Maissen


Week 4 Day 3: Sunday 23rd November

1000-1115: Benchmarking and Measuring Corporate Human Rights Performance - Namit Agarwal

In this lecture, Namit will explore how data-driven tools such as the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark (CHRB) are transforming the way we assess and hold companies accountable for their human rights impacts. Drawing on CHRB’s latest trends, the session will highlight persistent gaps in human rights due diligence, remedy, and supply chain transparency, areas where corporate performance remains weak despite growing regulatory and investor pressure. Namit will examine how benchmarking not only reveals sector and company-level performance but also drives change by creating a common standard, enabling stakeholder engagement, and pushing companies to improve over time. The lecture will also reflect on the strategic use of benchmarks to influence policy, investor engagement, and corporate behaviour in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Reading

1115-1145: Break


1145-1300: The Business and Human Rights Treaty and its Future – Anita Ramasastry

TBC

TBC Reading:


1300-1400: Lunch


TBC 1400-1515: Human rights in challenging times


1515-1545: Break


1545-1700: “Last Lecture” – Salil Tripathi

As we end the course, some questions for the future. What is the purpose of a company? What should it do? Who does it benefit? Who does it serve? What should individuals working for companies do? What should drive their conduct?

Not required reading but worth reflection: