Business & Human Rights Talks

As the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) turn 15 this year, our five-part webinar series explores how companies can strengthen their human rights work both nationally and across global value chains – with practical insights for Nordic businesses.

About the series

From workforce well-being to supply chain stability and investor expectations, companies that understand and manage their human rights impacts are better positioned to reduce risks, meet regulatory demands and build long-term competitiveness. At the same time, they act in line with what is expected of sustainable businesses.

Business & Human Rights Talks is a five-part webinar series hosted by the UN Global Compact networks of Finland, Sweden and Denmark. The series will start with an introduction to the UN human rights system, and then explore the human rights issues that matter most for business today – from forced labour to child’s rights, decent work, and the links between climate change and human rights – and help companies move from commitment to action.

During the series you will:

  • Gain clear, practical guidance on how to strengthen your company’s human rights work, and understand how robust human rights work supports sustainable, future-proof business
  • Learn from experts and real business cases
  • Align with global frameworks, including the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles and new regulatory obligations.

The webinars take place throughout 2026, and are held in English. The series is open to all and aimed especially at company representatives.

Part 1:

Human Rights: From Global Standards To Corporate Reality

30.1.2026 at 8–9 am CET | Online (Zoom)

Take a deep dive into the international human rights framework, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), and their relevance for companies! 

As the UNGPs celebrate their 15th anniversary, we will hear from leading experts and Finnish companies why the UNGPs matter to companies and how can businesses best identify, mitigate, and prevent human rights risks in their supply chains.

Speakers include Annamari Tornikoski and Katja Fokin (Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland), Anna Vainikainen (Outokumpu) and Sophia Lawson Hellu (UN Global Compact Finland).

Part 2:

Family-friendly practices in the workplace as a tool to respect children’s rights

26.3.2026 at 13–14.30 CET | Online (Zoom)

What do family-friendly workplace practices look like in the Nordics? How do working conditions for parents and caregivers affect children’s rights? How can companies use family-friendly practices as a concrete tool to respect children’s rights?

Every child has the right to survival, development, protection, and participation. Even when companies do not work with children directly, their employment practices can significantly impact children’s lives, including through wages, parental leave, flexible working arrangements, and work–life balance policies.

The aim of this webinar is to help companies understand how workplace practices relate to children’s rights and how family-friendly policies can support the corporate responsibility to respect human rights.

Part 3:

How to Tackle Forced Labour in the Nordics

5.5.2026 at 8.30–10.00 CET | Online (Zoom)

What does forced labour look like in the Nordics? Which companies will be impacted by the EU Forced Labour Ban regulation?

Forced labour is not something that takes place somewhere far away from us, as shown by many Nordic cases related to, for example, wild berry picking, cleaning, restaurants, logistics, and construction.

This webinar helps companies identify, mitigate, and prevent forced labour in the Nordics, as well as understand the upcoming EU regulation on the topic.

Part 4:

Decent Work

TBC | Online 

Registration opens soon

Part 5:

Just Transition

TBC | Online 

Registration opens soon

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) turn 15 this year, marking a decade and a half of defining the global standard for responsible business conduct. Yet many companies still struggle to turn the principles into practice.

    Human rights expectations for companies are rising faster than ever. New regulations, shifting investor demands and growing public scrutiny mean that no business can afford to treat human rights as a side issue. At the same time, global risks, from conflicts to climate impact, are making value chains more vulnerable and increasing the likelihood of harm to people.

    This is the moment to close that gap. Acting now not only protects people, it strengthens resilience, reduces risk and builds the trust every company needs to thrive. Our five-part event series gives you the tools, insights and networks to take the next step.

  • The event series is free of charge and open to all. It is aimed especially at company representatives.

  • All webinars are held virtually on Zoom. Each session will be recorded and we will send the link to the recording to registered participants.

  • You’re very welcome to join any of the sessions that interest you most – but there is no requirement to attend all five. However, we do warmly encourage it, as each event builds on the other and together they give a fuller picture of the topic.

  • You can be in touch with us via email at info@globalcompact.se. The UNGC Sweden team is happy to help!