The Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) is pleased to offer this training in the area of Business and Human Rights. Business and Human Rights is a multidisciplinary field of research that examines the human rights and environmental implications of business activity and considers how to prevent and redress such harm. It is also an area of social advocacy, legal practice, and consultancy.

This one‑day online course will introduce participants to the field of business and human rights (BHR). It will cover the foundations of BHR in international human rights law, the distinction between BHR and corporate social responsibility (CSR), the concept of human rights due diligence, the right to an effective remedy, and key BHR standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The course will also feature expert-led sessions on gender‑responsive human rights due diligence as well as the links between BHR and climate change.

The program will be offered in English. Enrolment is limited to 40 participants. Those who successfully complete the class will receive a certificate of recognition from the HRREC, University of Ottawa.

The course is open to students, academics, lawyers, journalists, government employees, the non-profit sector and community organizations. It will be taught by leading Canadian BHR scholars and other international experts.

This program is eligible for up to 6 hours of Substantive Content with the Law Society of Ontario.

$250 + tax

Instructions for payment will be sent upon confirmation of registration.
Inquiries can be answered by contacting HRREC@uOttawa.ca.

Application deadline: April 23, 2026

9:15 a.m. | Welcome & Introductions

9:30 a.m. | Business & Human Rights: Fundamentals (Part 1) — An introduction to international human rights law, the normative basis of BHR, the state obligation to protect human rights, the distinction between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and BHR
Penelope Simons | Director, Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) & Full Professor, Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, University of Ottawa

11:00 a.m. | Break

11:15 a.m. | Business & Human Rights: Fundamentals (Part 2) — The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, an introduction to the concept of human rights due diligence and the right to an effective remedy
Penelope Simons | Director, Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) & Full Professor, Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, University of Ottawa

12:45 p.m. | Lunch

2:00 p.m. | Gender Responsive Human Rights Due Diligence
Nora Götzmann, Chief Advisor, Human Rights, Tech and Business, Danish Institute for Human Rights

3:30 p.m. | Break

3:45 p.m. | Business and Human Rights and Climate Change
Sara Seck, Professor, Schulich School of Law & Director, Marine & Environmental Law Institute, Dalhousie University

5:15 p.m. | Conclusion and closing remarks