Business and human rights 2026

As global standards tighten, companies are increasingly expected to respect human rights throughout their operations and supply chains. This course provides professionals with a clear understanding of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, human rights due diligence, and emerging legal and ESG requirements. Drawing on real-world case studies, it offers practical tools to identify, mitigate, and manage human rights risks — including in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

Join us for a twelve-hour course, held over four days.

When and where?

2 to 5 November 2026, 9:00 - 12:00 SAST

This course will be held remotely, most likely on Zoom.

Course outline

Businesses today face growing scrutiny for their human rights impacts — from supply chain abuses to environmental harm and community displacement. This postgraduate-level course offers participants a deep and practical understanding of the business and human rights (BHR) agenda and its relevance for corporate governance, sustainability, and compliance. 

Grounded in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), the course explores the responsibilities of states and companies to prevent, mitigate, and remedy harm. It examines how human rights due diligence is conducted, how grievance mechanisms can strengthen accountability, and how emerging laws — including the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive — are changing expectations of business conduct. 

Participants will also consider specialised issues such as gender impacts, operating in conflict-affected areas, and integrating BHR approaches into climate and ESG frameworks. Through case studies and interactive exercises, they will learn how to apply these concepts in practice. 

The course is designed for lawyers, ESG professionals, development practitioners, and others seeking to understand or implement human rights standards in business operations.

Presenter

Dr Orly Stern is a human rights lawyer, researcher and consultant, with two decades of experience working across the African continent. Orly has consulted for international organizations, companies, governments, research institutions and NGOs, and has published extensively in her field. 

Orly holds a PhD in international humanitarian law from London School of Economics, and a Masters in international human rights law from Harvard Law School. She has served as a visiting fellow of practice with the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict, Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University, and has held a senior fellowship with the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Harvard School for Public Health. She has taught international criminal law at the University of Cape Town. 

How much?

R6,600 per person

Certificate

A digital certificate of attendance from UCT will be issued to those who attend the full course.

Please note that the digital certificate can only be viewed on a secure portal. It cannot be downloaded or printed. You will have the option of ordering a hard copy of the certificate at your own cost, including the cost of the courier fee. More information is available here.

SIGN UP HERE: Business and human rights | UCT Law at Work