How can companies respect human rights while pursuing profits?

The adoption of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in 2011 was a seminal moment and acknowledgement of the influence of business on people’s rights. 

In the years that have passed since, what have we learned about whether and how companies can respect human rights while pursuing profits?

To help answer this question IHRB’s CEO, John Morrison, speaks to Mike Posner, a human rights lawyer who served as Assistant Secretary of State under Hilary Clinton, and is the Director of the Centre for Business and Human Rights at New York University.

They discuss the evolving role of companies in addressing global challenges; the governance gap between powerful corporations and weakening governments; what the future might hold for responsible business under the influence of China and the new Trump administration, and other important themes from Mike’s new book “Conscience Incorporated”.

Mike’s book is described as a guide for business leaders to respect human rights whilst pursuing profits, and captures the A to Z of business and human rights and some of the critical dilemmas and cases that have shaped this agenda.  

Stream above, or you can listen on your favourite podcast player.
If you care about human rights and are curious about the impact of business on peoples’ rights, then follow Voices to get each episode straight to your feed.

Host: Deborah Sagoe, IHRB's Communications Coordinator
Producer & Editor: Helen Brown
Additional Contributors: Sam Simmons, IHRB's Head of Communications