"Equipping Professionals for the Next Challenges: The Design and Results of a Multidisciplinary Business and Human Rights Clinic," 22 June 2017

Since the 1990s, the subject of business and human rights has evolved from an academic critique of ‘corporate social responsibility’ as an approach to understanding business’s social impacts, to a movement and a field of study… As the field grows, so too does the demand for professionals... The need to equip professionals with the skills to analyse and address complex business and human rights challenges is steadily gaining recognition at universities across the globe... [P]rofessors share and debate teaching techniques – across topics related to global labour supply chains, extractives and social licence, and privacy and censorship – including case studies, role plays, simulations, debates and direct engagement with practitioners... This piece examines the experience of...a year-long multi-disciplinary business and human rights clinic housed at a school of public policy. Combining seminars, guest lectures, skills training, group work and discussion, field visits and self-reflective exercises, the [School of International and Public Affairs] SIPA Business and Human Rights Clinic (the Clinic) [at Columbia University] is designed to provide students cutting-edge skills with strong career potential while deepening students’ knowledge and experience of business and human rights...