Jakarta, Indonesia | 10 December 2024 — The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) successfully convened a groundbreaking two-day workshop in Jakarta on Business, Human Rights, and the Environment (BHRE), gathering over 20 academics, civil society actors, and sustainability experts from Indonesia and Cambodia. The workshop aimed to equip key stakeholders with knowledge and tools to address emerging human rights and environmental responsibilities in business, particularly in the context of the EU’s upcoming Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria.
Held on 9–10 December 2024 at the 101 Hotel Jakarta, the workshop focused on integrating BHRE concepts into academic research, teaching modules, and business practices—particularly within the critical minerals and biofuels sectors. Sessions explored frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), global reporting standards like GRI and ESRS, and sector-specific certification systems including IRMA.
Dr Radu Mares of RWI focused on the importance of integrating risk management and RBC into the curriculum, suggesting that using case studies would bring these topics to life and make them more engaging for students. Case studies should be diverse, incorporating real-world examples from various industries to better illustrate the practical application of sustainability principles in business practices.
Discussions tackled gaps in corporate transparency, the need for stronger regulatory compliance, and the disproportionate environmental impacts on vulnerable groups. Participants highlighted the role of transformative research, interdisciplinary curricula, and student-led case study development as levers for long-term change.
The workshop also laid the groundwork for future partnerships between universities and civil society organizations to advance sustainability education, responsible business conduct, and inclusive economic transitions in the region.