MOOC on Human Rights Due Diligence for Decent Work attracted over four thousand participants

GENEVA (ILO News) – The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on "Human Rights Due Diligence for Decent Work" (HRDD4DW) attracted in its first edition over 4,000 participants from different regions and a wide range of sectors, and professional backgrounds. In the course of two weeks, participants engaged in rich discussions and online self-guided modules on the role of Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) in promoting decent work and respect for internationally recognized human/labour rights in business operations. The course highlighted how HRDD serves as an essential responsible business conduct tool to advance to decent work, in line with the guidance provided by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Responsible Business Conduct.

Participants emphasized that the MOOC arrived at a pivotal moment, amid a growing landscape of voluntary and mandatory due diligence initiatives across various countries and policy areas. Discussions underscored the importance of ensuring that HRDD processes transcend box-ticking exercises and contribute to real improvements in working conditions and greater opportunities for decent work.

The ILO-IFC Better Work Programme, the Vision Zero Fund and the RISSC project, presented good practices on applying HRDD in national contexts while strengthening the capacity of different actors on HRDD including relevant government institutions and employers and workers’ organizations.

The knowledge gained from this course will empower participants to apply HRDD effectively in their own contexts, helping to create more sustainable business practices and supply chains.

The HRDD4DW project, co-funded by the European Commission, supported the MOOC and will continue over the next four years to provide more MOOCs, in-depth trainings, and other initiatives. The journey towards advancing Human Rights Due Diligence for Decent Work continues.

About the Human Rights Due Diligence in support of Decent Work project: The ILO “Human Rights Due Diligence in support of Decent Work” (HRDD4DW) project, in partnership with the European Commission, aims to support governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, enterprises and other interested actors in conducting and engaging in HRDD processes in a way that effectively advances labour rights and fosters decent working conditions. Throughout the project, activities will focus on increasing knowledge, building capacity, and enhancing engagement in HRDD practices that align with international labour standards and decent work.