Human Rights Reporting

Course Overview

Course Description

The training course aims to equip participants with a comprehensive grasp of human rights reporting using the GRI Standards as the framework. This includes a detailed examination of vital elements in human rights reporting, such as policy commitments, due diligence processes, and grievance mechanisms. Widely acknowledged as a transparent and comprehensive framework for sustainability reporting, the GRI Standards offer an essential tool for reporting on human rights. By adhering to these standards, companies and participants can demonstrate their commitment to upholding human rights and provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of their human rights impacts and management strategies.

Dedicated to human rights reporting, this course provides a comprehensive session divided into three modules for thorough comprehension. Module 1 serves as an introduction to human rights and human rights reporting. Moving on to Module 2, participants will delve into the Fundamentals of the GRI Standard from a Human Rights Perspective. Finally, Module 3 concentrates on Reporting expectations and disclosure for the human rights in the GRI Standards.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, the participants should be able to:

• Understand why human rights and transparency in reporting on them are important to businesses.

• Explain the major concepts and components of the GRI Standards, including how to assess human rights impacts and select relevant human rights subjects for reporting.

• Understand the specific disclosures related to human rights reporting under the GRI Standards, including the mandate and recommendations for reporting on human rights impacts, due diligence processes, and grievance mechanisms.

• Apply the GRI Standards to report on human rights impacts, using examples and case studies to demonstrate how to report on human rights in a clear, transparent, and meaningful way.

This course is ideal for:

Human Rights Advocates and Activists: Individuals actively engaged in human rights work, whether through NGOs, grassroots movements, or advocacy groups, looking to enhance their skills in documenting and reporting human rights violations.

Journalists and Media Professionals: Reporters, editors, and media practitioners aiming to cover human rights stories comprehensively, ethically, and accurately. This course equips you with the tools to tell compelling, impactful human rights narratives.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Business Professionals: CSR practitioners and business leaders committed to ensuring their organisations respect and protect human rights within their operations and supply chains. Learn to integrate human rights reporting into corporate sustainability strategies.

Government Officials and Policy Makers: Public servants and policy makers involved in shaping and implementing policies related to human rights, seeking to understand best practices in human rights reporting for governance and accountability.

Legal Professionals: Lawyers, legal advisors, and legal researchers interested in human rights law and its practical application. This course offers valuable insights into the role of human rights reporting in legal advocacy.

Students and Researchers: Aspiring scholars and researchers eager to delve into human rights studies, advocacy, or policy research. This course provides a strong foundation in human rights reporting methodologies.

Educators and Trainers: Teachers, trainers, and educators looking to incorporate human rights reporting content into their curricula and training programs, fostering awareness and activism among students and participants.

Global Citizens: Concerned citizens seeking to raise awareness about human rights issues and advocate for positive change. This course empowers individuals to be effective advocates in their communities and beyond.

Course Structure and Content

Module 1: Introduction to Human Rights and Human Rights Reporting

The module will be comprised of the following sections:

• An overview of what Human rights mean.

• Myths about human rights.

• Human Rights and Business.

• Responsibility to respect human rights.

• Human Rights and Sustainable Development.

Learning outcomes

• Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the concept of human rights, its importance, and its relevance to businesses and organisations.

• Participants will learn about common misconceptions surrounding human rights and gain clarity on the true meaning and implications of human rights in the context of business operations.

• Participants will explore how business activities can have positive or negative impacts on human rights, both within their operations and throughout their value chain.

• Participants will learn about the responsibility that businesses have to respect human rights and the ethical and legal implications of failing to do so.

• Participants will understand the connection between human rights and sustainable development goals, acknowledging the role businesses play in contributing to a more sustainable world.

Module 2: Fundamentals of the GRI Standards from a Human Rights Perspective

This module will be comprised of the following sections:

• An overview of the GRI Standards system.

• Relevant Considerations for Human Rights in the Universal Standard.

• Key concepts in the universal standard from a human rights perspective.

• Process for identifying and determining material topics with considerations regarding human rights impacts.

Learning outcomes

• Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the structure and components of the GRI Standards system.

• Participants will learn about the specific considerations and principles in the GRI Universal Standard that are relevant to human rights reporting, such as Principle 1 (Materiality) and Principle 2 (Stakeholder Inclusiveness).

• Participants will explore key concepts within the GRI Universal Standard that are essential for reporting on human rights impacts, such as the reporting principles, disclosures, and indicators related to human rights.

• Participants will understand the process of materiality determination in the context of human rights reporting. They will learn how to identify and prioritise the most significant human rights impacts of a company's operations.

• Participants will learn how to use the information derived from the materiality determination process to inform their reporting on human rights issues to provide stakeholders with a clear picture of their sustainability performance and risks related to human rights.

Module 3: Reporting expectations and disclosure for the human right set out in the GRI Standards

The module will be comprised of the following sections:

• Disclosures in the GRI Standard related to human rights, requirements, and guidance.

• Connect human rights to potential GRI Topics and GRI Sector standards disclosures.

• Practical approaches from industry study.

Learning outcomes

• Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the specific GRI Standard disclosures and indicators that pertain to reporting on human rights impacts and management processes.

• Participants will learn how to effectively apply the GRI Standard disclosures to report on their organization's human rights impacts and management efforts.

• They will understand the requirements and guidance provided by the GRI Standards in the context of human rights reporting.

• Participants will learn how to connect human rights considerations to potential GRI Topic and GRI Sector Standards disdisclosures. This integration will allow them to tailor their reporting to the specific risks and impacts associated with their industry.