UNITAR Online Catalogue
UNECA & UNESCWA Timezone: Free e-workshop on the challenges and drivers of the State duty to protect and promote human rights
Multilateral Diplomacy
Background
Human rights are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Paragraph 67 of Agenda 2030 calls on “all businesses to apply their creativity and innovation to solving sustainable development challenges” and for States to “foster a dynamic and well-functioning business sector, while protecting labour rights and environmental and health standards in accordance with relevant international standards and agreements and other ongoing initiatives in this regard, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”
Endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011, the UNGPs represent the internationally-accepted framework for enhancing standards and practices with regard to BHR.
Despite the unprecedented impact of the UNGPs in global and national policy-making and corporate practice, their implementation still faces significant challenges, while corporate human rights abuses threaten progress in sustainable development efforts
This activity is supported with funding allocated from the Swedish International Development Agency’s (Sida) contribution to the UNITAR Strategic Framework Fund. UNITAR is grateful to Sida and other contributors for supporting the SFF. The SFF was established by the UNITAR Board of Trustees in 2018 to support projects and activities that respond to needs of developing countries and in particular the least developed countries, African countries, the small island developing States and countries in and emerging from conflict, in order to strengthen capacities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Event Objectives
UNITAR in collaboration with CRED Research Center of the ESA Business School is organizing a series of e-workshops focusing on Pillar 1 of the UNGPs.
This e-workshop will particularly focus on the significance of National Actions Plans (NAPs) as an essential tool to align country needs and priorities, set an implementation framework for the UNGPs, and establish effective measures for monitoring, reporting and evaluating implementation.
At the end of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Define the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs);
- Assess policy and regulatory frameworks on the State duty to protect human rights in the context of business operations;
- Appraise the significance of National Action Plans (NAPs).
Content and Structure
Session 1 | 1 March 2021 | 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Beirut time) / 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm (Addis time) / 11:00 am - 15:00 pm (Geneva time) | online via zoom
Session 2 | 2 March 2021 | 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Beirut time) / 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm (Addis time) / 11:00 am - 15:00 pm (Geneva time) | online via zoom
Methodology
In light of the ongoing global pandemic and related travel restrictions the training programme will be held exclusively online via the platform zoom enabling participants form different countries to join and engage in peer-to-peer learning without necessitating travel.
UNITAR’s training programmes are designed to be highly interactive and participatory and will include a variety of simulation exercises and pedagogical tools to enable participants to acquire a thorough knowledge and understanding of the core legal issues, while also promoting a gender- sensitive approach.
The e-workshops will be built on the following pedagogical pillars: concept learning (lectures, presentations), experience sharing (panels, working group discussions) and exposure to real world problems and policy choices.
Participants will be provided with a comprehensive set of training material, prepared in close cooperation with the resource persons, consisting of copies of presentations, selected readings, instructions for the interactive exercises and discussion group assignments, relevant publications, etc. The material, enabling participants to partake in a well-informed, effective and prepared way, can also be shared with colleagues who have not benefited from the training.
Targeted Audience
The workshop is open to up to 35 participants from the ECA and ESCWA region who are either:
- Members of the private sector,
- Members of Permanent Missions accredited to the United Nations,
- Delegates of Ministries of Foreign Affairs and other government officials,
- Representatives of international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations
- Academia and students interested in the field of business and human rights.
Priority will be given to LDCs and SIDS nationals. Please visit the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States: http://unohrlls.org/
Additional Information
Technical Requirements
UNITAR recommends that all prospective participants test Zoom for free at Zoom.us prior to joining the final e-workshop.
Basic system requirements:
- Stable internet connection
- Speakers and a microphone
- A webcam or HD webcam
- Or, a HD cam or HD camcorder with video capture card
Please see further information about all technical requirements for participating in this e-workshop here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-Requirements-for-PC-Mac-and-Linux