List of tools

Human Rights Translated - A Business reference guide, A joint publication of Global Compact Office and Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 2008

The purpose of this publication is to contribute to this process of clarification by explaining universally recognized human rights in a way that makes sense to business. The publication also aims to illustrate, through the use of case studies and actions, how human rights are relevant in a corporate context and how human rights issues can be managed. The ‘Navigating the Guide’ card is provided to help managers make the best use of this reference publication.

OHCHR and UN Global Compact web-based Human Rights and Business Learning Tool

The Learning Tool is an entry-level e-learning course for companies on Human Rights and Business. It focuses on the following two Global Compact human rights principles:

Principle 1: Business should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights, and
Principle 2: Make sure that they are not complicit in human right abuses.

The tool's objective is to help managers and Corporate Social Responsibility professionals in companies participating in the UN Global Compact to understand what human rights are and how they are relevant to their business operations. While the course is designed to be directly useful to Global Compact participants, it may also be relevant to companies not yet participating in the Global Compact.

The course comprises three modules:

•  Module 1: Introduction to Human Rights
•  Module 2: The Concept of Sphere of Influence
•  Module 3: The Notion of Complicity

The tool is interactive: links, exercises and case studies will help the participant understand the various concepts presented. As the tool is web based, it will be updated regularly. Further modules may be added as well.

It was developed for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) by the UN System Staff College, in cooperation with the UN Global Compact. The tool's development followed a period of consultation with companies participating in the UN Global Compact concerning their learning needs in relation to human rights. The tool also benefited from consultations with company representatives and experts during the drafting phase, and from additional comments received during its 3-months pilot phase.

Guide for Integrating Human Rights into Business Management - A joint publication of BLIHR, Global Compact Office and Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights  May 2006

This publication - prepared by business for business - offers practical guidance on how to implement human rights within business practice. It is based on the accumulated experience of the ten companies in the BLIHR (ABB, Barclays, Gap, Hewlett-Packard, MTV Networks Europe, National Grid, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Statoil and The Body Shop International).  This experience is supplemented with practical examples of human rights implementation from other companies including BP, Carrefour, Cemex, Codelco, Copel, Eskom, Li & Fung (Trading), MAS Holdings, Shell, Taj Hotels, Tata Enterprises, Telefonica and Valeo.  The final publication also benefited substantially from a wide range of thoughtful feedback provided on a consultation draft.

Embedding Human Rights in Business Practice - A joint publication of the Global Compact Office and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights  December 2004

This publication offers a thorough analysis of the human rights principles from the perspective of the UN, business, academia and civil society. Its main focus is the practical meaning of the principles for companies, presenting four detailed case studies and a policy report on business practice in different industries. The main conclusion drawn from these cases is that proactive efforts to address human rights concerns better equipped businesses to manage risks and helps secure and maintain their license to operate.

The Global Compact and Human Rights: Understanding Sphere of Influence and Complicity - an OHCHR Briefing Paper  December 2004

This briefing paper provides a broad overview of the current understanding of what "sphere of influence" and "complicity" mean in the context of the Global Compact's human rights principles.

Consultation draft – A Guide for Integrating Human Rights into Business Management (http://blihr.zingstudios.com/) Open for an initial consultation period until 30 June 2009

This Guide to Integrating Human Rights into Business Management is an online tool produced jointly by the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights (BLIHR), the UN Global Compact and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

This online publication offers practical guidance to companies wanting to take a proactive approach to human rights within their business operations and is of use primarily to business leaders and managers in large and medium-sized enterprises, private and state-owned, who would like to develop their understanding of human rights in business practice.

The publication is open for an initial consultation period until 30 June 2009. Comments are invited either via the website http://blihr.zingstudios.com/ or to the following address: globalcompact@un.org

Comments are also welcome from Guide online users after this date via the feedback form.