Call for Papers: International Conference on Business & Human Rights - International Law Challenges, European Responses, University of Milan, 29-30 May 2017

This Conference focuses on several different legal instruments and legal areas, including: the international legal framework on Business and Human Rights (B&HR); domestic legislation and related practice and case law implementing it in Europe; the European Union (EU) legal framework on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), corporate behavior, and private international law; the EU trade and investment policy and the international agreements thereby negotiated or concluded.

The organisers encourage scholars (especially scholars expert in International Law, EU Law, and B&HR) to submit papers on the following and related topics (the list is not exhaustive):

- The implementation in Europe of the international legal instruments and principles on B&HR;

- The European contribution to the development of international principles on B&HR;

- The implementation in Europe of the Sustainable Development Goals and the relationship existing with B&HR;  

- The EU and domestic frameworks on CSR and their relationship with the international legal framework on B&HR;

- National Action Plans (NAPs) implementing the UNGPs in Europe;

- The UNGPs’ State duty to protect human rights, as interpreted and applied by the EU, the Council of Europe, and/or by European countries;

- Legislation addressing corporate behavior and the provision for a human rights due diligence process in Europe;

- Access to remedies within Europe;

- The implementation of the OECD Guidelines and the relevant practice developed by the National Contact Points established in Europe;

- The EU private international legal framework on B&HR, its application and the related case law;  

- The implications for B&HR of the EU trade and investment policy (including the negotiation/conclusion of: Free Trade Agreements, Economic Partnership Agreements and/or Investment Agreements/Chapters);

- Public/private partnerships as a means to promote respect for human rights in Europe. 

Deadlines:  

- Submission of abstracts: 31 January 2017

- Selection of papers: 15 February 2017

- Delivery of full papers: 15 May 2017

Contact: For more information, please contact: [email protected]