General Information

The evolving economic and regulatory environment, coupled with heightened public awareness of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), has led to mounting expectations and obligations on both states and business to adopt sustainable business strategies, encompassing respect for human rights and the environment. Companies have sought to enhance their corporate social responsibility (CSR), pursue sustainable development, or integrate ESG strategies. In essence, these terms collectively aim to ensure that business is conducted in a responsible manner.

The Centre for Human Rights of the University of Zurich (UZHR) has observed a rise in demand for guidance on how companies can meet their responsibilities regarding human rights and environmental standards. This demand is currently being amplified by the tendency towards binding due diligence legislation at the European Union and national levels. Businesses, public institutions, and agencies are seeking to gain precise and specialised knowledge in order to navigate the complex web of emerging legal requirements and political expectations.

For this purpose, it is imperative to train a new generation of business professionals with expertise in responsible business conduct in both the private and public sectors. These professionals must be able to anticipate and assess the impacts of business activities on people and the planet, prioritising measures that prevent, mitigate, and remedy such impacts. Moreover, they must possess a robust and comprehensive understanding of the interdisciplinary field of responsible business conduct, along with the expertise to effectively apply this knowledge in practice.

The CAS RBC offers a tailored course for professionals and practitioners. The programme is based on the key international standards of RBC as set out in the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. A key focus of the course is the implementation of risk-based due diligence in business activities.

The CAS RBC is designed for professionals from a range of backgrounds, namely business, government, civil society, and academia. This may include, for instance, lawyers, compliance officers, and risk managers who are responsible for ensuring responsible business conduct and corporate governance, conducting sustainability due diligence, or implementing ESG policies.

The CAS is conducted entirely online, allowing participants from around the globe to benefit from this convenient, flexible format. The virtual format and customised content of the CAS RBC are designed to meet the diverse professional needs of individuals who encounter RBC issues in their daily work.

The CAS RBC provides a comprehensive virtual programme that combines real-time sessions with a self-study component. It is a requirement that all participants attend the online sessions and actively participate throughout the six-month programme, which runs from February to July. Online sessions are typically three hours in length and held on Fridays and Saturdays on a biweekly basis.

The self-study component of the CAS RBC involves preparing for online sessions through reading materials and analysing case studies, as well as delivering two short presentations - one as part of a group and one individually for the final individual project. A significant and integral part of the self-study process is devoted to planning and writing this final individual project on a specific topic of choice, which is completed over the course of the entire semester.

Upon successfully completing the program, participants receive the Certificate of Advanced Studies UZH in Responsible Business Conduct and are awarded 10 ECTS.

The CAS will be conducted with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 30 participants. Additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list.