The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, will host a 5-day intensive short course on Business and Human Rights.
Course date: 2 - 6 June 2025
Venue: Hybrid
Online (Zoom)
In-person (University of Pretoria)
About the course
The course aims to provide much-needed knowledge and scholarship in BHR for law teachers, private sector actors, governments and civil society. Academics from African Universities are strongly encouraged to apply. It aims to offer a platform for exchange and networking for University teachers to meet and share knowledge, teaching resources and teaching methods (best practices) on Business and Human Rights. Teachers from relevant non-legal backgrounds including but not limited to the following disciplines are also encouraged to apply:
- Gender studies
- Sociology, and
- Political science
Business organisations and transnational corporate actors operate in a complex global environment, especially when operating in high risks sectors such as oil and gas, mining, construction, banking and health care amongst others. Understanding human rights responsibilities, impacts and socially responsible behaviour for companies is, therefore, an essential component of corporate risk management in our current world. The release of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, an instrument consisting of 31 principles on this issue, has further underscored the emergence of a rapidly developing set of international law norms on human rights responsibilities of businesses and transnational corporations. In addition to minimizing litigation, financial and reputational risks, understanding and demonstrating corporate respect for human rights is vital to building a culture of trust and integrity amongst local communities, investors and shareholders. With these questions and contexts in mind, Business and Human Rights Short Course will examine, clarify and unpack the nature, scope and practical implications of emerging business and human rights norms in international law.
Fees
The course will be offered in a hybrid format.
Participation in the course online is $150 (USD).
In person attendance is $250 (USD)
Scholarships
Participants wishing to attend physically are required to write a short motivation for attending the course in person. A limited number of scholarships are available. These scholarships are awarded on a very competitive basis.
Application procedure
Documents to be submitted:
- Curriculum Vitae (short CV in PDF or Word document, maximum 3 pages, maximum 10 MB in file size)
- One Letter of Recommendation (PDF or Word document, maximum 10 MB in file size)
- Academic Records (students only) (combined in one PDF or Word document, maximum 10 MB in file size)
Important Notice:
A high proficiency in English is required to attend this course. All lectures and materials are in English. Prior to applying for this course, please read through the information on the practical Information and the payment details pages.
* Please note that in order to apply for any of the Advanced Human Rights Courses, you are required to use a Google Gmail account.
Application deadline
21 May 2025
If you do not hear from us within 5 days after applications have closed, please consider your application unsuccessfull.
Overview of the past Advanced Human Rights Course: Business and Human Rights in Africa
Contact
For more information, please contact:

Tel: +27 (0) 12 420 4197
Fax: +27 (0) 86 580 5743
dennis.antwi@up.ac.za