Identifying the importance of gender equality to the business case, companies around the world have taken steps to advance and empower women.

Presents examples of how business associations can and are contributing to sustainable development. This collection of case examples demonstrates how business associations can help their members advance sustainable development through information and knowledge diffusion; capacity building and education; technical standards and specifications; policy advocacy and public affairs; and fostering and brokering partnerships.

Business has much to gain from more inclusive economic prosperity, through access to new markets, unleashing more innovation, and greater social stability so necessary for markets to function. Conversely, business has much to lose from an economy that fails to capitalize fully on human capital, constricts markets, and experiences sluggish demand. This working paper introduces BSR’s perspective on the business role in creating inclusive prosperity.

Describes how National Human Rights Institutions and Global Compact Local Networks can collaborate to help businesses understand and meet their human rights responsibilities and commitments.

Provides an overview on the relationship between the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the UN Global Compact’s Human Rights Principles.

In June 2014, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted a new Protocol on Forced Labour. As an international response to combat contemporary forms of slavery and forced labour more effectively, the Protocol creates new legal obligations to prevent forced labour, to protect victims, and to provide access to remedy. Conducted by ILO experts, this webinar provides insight into the Protocol and discusses the role of business in its implementation, including in global efforts to eliminate contemporary forms of slavery.

In 2014, the UN Global Compact marks the 10th Anniversary of the 10th Principle against corruption: “Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery”.

Explores how responsible businesses can best respect the right to privacy of customers, employees and other relevant stakeholders – whilst protecting their own legitimate legal and commercial interests. In particular, the webinar examines the challenges faced by companies operating in locations where the right to privacy is inadequately protected and/or is undermined by local law – with a focus on ‘higher risk’ sectors such as information technology and telecommunications. This includes an examination of how responsible companies are responding to state-backed mass surveillance programs in key jurisdictions – as well as the expanding use of digital surveillance in countries with poor human rights records.

The retention of worker identity documents is a common practice among employers and recruitment agencies in many countries and sectors around the world. The practice infringes on international human rights and can make workers vulnerable to forced labour. This note calls on business to take action to address the practice and its associated risk of labour abuse. References to relevant international standards and links to additional resources provide further guidance to business.

The right of indigenous peoples to give or withhold free, prior, and informed consent (“FPIC”) for the use of their lands, resources, traditional knowledge, or intellectual property is among the special protections for indigenous peoples. This Good Practice Note provides background on the history of FPIC, without taking a definitive viewpoint on its legal status. The Note also explores the business case for obtaining FPIC and the challenges that are likely to arise in the process; outlines current company good practices to obtain FPIC; and discusses emerging practices that not only support FPIC but also long-term benefits for affected indigenous communities.

Explores the challenges responsible businesses can face when addressing gender-based discrimination and promoting gender equality in their operations and supply chains. In particular, the webinar examines how companies can responsibly navigate this issue where local cultural, legal and/or business norms permit or promote discrimination. Additionally, the webinar explores a range of relevant good practice – including the integration of the Women’s Empowerment Principles into business policies and practices – as well as examples of multi-national companies that have addressed this issue.

The examples in this publication offer an important step forward in providing companies with guidance on why and how they can make practical contributions in this area – in ways benefitting both their business and the societies where they operate.