All Articles About Human Rights

BSR Insight Article: Overcoming the Myths of Government Partnerships

Racheal Meiers (née Yeager), Director, HERproject

Partnerships between companies and government, commonly known as public-private partnerships, are nothing new for business. Over the last two years, however, BSR has seen a significant uptick in interest from companies in partnering with governments. This is likely due to two main factors: the growth in the role of national governments in addressing sustainability challenges, and the increasing opportunities for companies in emerging markets. Read more →

Posted: April 13, 2010 | Topics: Economic Development, Human Rights, Strategy & Integration

BSR Insight Article: On the Horizon: BSR’s Research & Innovation Agenda 2010

Interview with Faris Natour, Director, Research & Innovation, by Eva Dienel, Manager, Communications

Each year, BSR’s Research & Innovation department produces independent, applied sustainability research to help BSR members stay ahead of the curve and to advance corporate responsibility as a whole. The team’s aim is to offer practical solutions that will address the key sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow, with insights informed by BSR’s consulting work, interviews with business leaders, and our active participation in global initiatives that address sustainability issues for the private sector. Read more →

Posted: March 30, 2010 | Topics: Ecosystem Services, Environment, Human Rights, Reporting & Communications, Stakeholder Relations, Strategy & Integration

BSR Insight Article: International Sporting Events Shine Light on Human Rights

Faris Natour, Director, Human Rights

Each year, global sporting events draw media attention to human rights challenges surrounding the events, and coverage of these issues is already in full swing for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa, the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Read more →

Posted: March 23, 2010 | Topics: Human Rights, Strategy & Integration

Blog: Google and China: When Should Business Leave on Human Rights Grounds?

By Aron Cramer, President and CEO, and Dunstan Allison Hope, Managing Director, ICT Practice, BSR

With Google’s decision today to shut down its Chinese-based search engine, google.cn, the company has won considerable praise from organizations concerned about its human rights record. This approval stands in stark contrast to the condemnation the company received when first entering the country in 2006. The Financial Times cartoonist Ingram Pinn captured these contrasting perspectives perfectly, depicting Google as the speech-suppressing “Great Firewall of China” in 2006, then casting the company as the lone protestor stopping the tanks in their tracks in 2010. Read more →

Posted: March 22, 2010 | Topics: Conflict Minerals, Human Rights, Information & Communications Technology

BSR Insight Article: Malaysia Reconsiders Right-to-Work Policy for Refugees

In an attempt to mitigate labor shortages and improve its image as a rights-respecting nation, Malaysia—an important country to global supply chains—is considering granting refugees the right to work, which would allow companies operating in the country to directly recruit migrant workers living in Malaysia. This could help companies reduce their reliance on an international recruitment process that can be risky and expensive for both business and workers. The government's move is supported by some Malaysian civil society organizations and the Malaysian Trades Union Congress. Read more →

Posted: March 9, 2010 | Topics: Human Rights, Labor Migration