FAQs

The Business & Human Rights Network is a South Asia business-led multi-stakeholder initiative. The Network serves as an engagement platform for businesses and other stakeholders (such as industry associations, policy makers, international organisations, civil society, experts and practitioners) to forward the business and human rights agenda from ambition to action by

  • Awareness raising through dialogues and discussions
  • Capacity building
  • Seeking opportunities to collaborate on initiatives and ideas for greater impacts through the network
  • Policy engagement

It aims to bring together various stakeholders, including Chambers, Policy-makers, Investors, Institutions, Domain Experts, Regional Blocs, and International Organizations, to create a platform for businesses to engage with and understand the evolving policy landscape, expectations, and opportunities around Business and Human Rights (BHR).
 

The primary objective of the network is to simplify Business and Human Rights (BHR) concepts, identify opportunities, and promote the integration of BHR policies and practices by businesses. Its core aims include:

  • Mainstreaming a uniform understanding and adoption of BHR among businesses
  • Bringing the perspective of the global south to international fora
  • Enable greater cooperation and cross-learning among businesses in the South Asian region
  • Equip businesses with knowledge and information for effective implementation of BHR principles and good practices

In doing so, it aims to make businesses more competitive and resilient in the changing global BHR framework.

The Business & Human Rights Network holds significant importance for businesses in today's landscape due to several compelling reasons. As the global framework for Business and Human Rights (BHR) experiences a transformative shift, characterized by stricter regulations and policies concerning human rights due diligence, businesses are facing a heightened need to adapt and respond effectively. In this context, the network serves as a crucial platform offering numerous benefits:

  1. Resilient Value Chains
  2. Efficient Resource Utilization
  3. Navigating Evolving Legislations
  4. Mitigating Regulatory Pressure
  5. Addressing Stakeholder Expectations
  6. Enhancing Investment Prospects
  7. Holistic Risk Management

Being part of the Business & Human Rights Network offers several benefits, including access to valuable resources such as our knowledge products for capacity building and sharing good practices, insights into BHR concepts and opportunities, networking with other stakeholders, and gaining a competitive edge in the market by adopting responsible and sustainable practices.

Businesses interested in joining the network can reach out to the Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) and filling out a form to express their interest and receive further information on the membership process.

The network conducts various initiatives and activities, including workshops, webinars, knowledge-sharing sessions, policy discussions, and research on BHR topics. These activities are designed to help businesses understand BHR concepts and implement responsible practices effectively.

To remain updated on the network's activities and events, businesses have a few simple options:

  1. Website Monitoring: Regularly visiting the Business & Human Rights Network's official website allows businesses to stay informed about upcoming events and activities.
  2. Social Media Subscriptions: Subscribing to the network's LinkedIn and other social media channels is an effective way to receive timely notifications about events and developments. 
    Additionally, businesses can gain priority access and deeper engagement by becoming a member:
  3. Membership Benefits: Joining the network as a member provides priority access to events and valuable knowledge products.
  4. Membership Application: To become a member, businesses can easily fill out the form provided under the "Become a Member" tab on the network's website.

No, membership is free of charge. However, please note that there are fees for certain value-added services provided by the network, such as Human Rights Due Diligence, Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA), Sustainability Reporting, BRSR and staff training sessions.

Businesses can actively participate in network events, share good practices, and collaborate with other stakeholders to promote responsible business conduct and human rights protection. By contributing their expertise and experiences, businesses can play a vital role in advancing the network's objectives. The network also provides bespoke services, customized to the specifics provided by the member organisation.