Are you confused about ESG, CSR, UNGPs, GRI, L2O, VPs, and all of that? In this introductory course, participants explore the responsibilities of businesses for the impacts of their operations on the environment, people, local communities, and societies. The course explores the incidents and conflicts that have triggered the concepts behind the acronyms used to describe these different perspectives on responsible business conduct. Participants learn about the developments that have shaped the international and national debates on responsible business conduct. We will look back, examine what is currently happening, and ask what the challenges are for the future.

We will take a close look at the principles, guidelines, and standards that have been developed to prevent negative and, where possible, leverage positive impacts. The course focuses specifically on the role and responsibilities of businesses in low-income and fragile contexts and discusses if and how companies can contribute to preventing conflicts and possibly support peacebuilding efforts.