IE Law School hosts 4th Edition of the Business and Human Rights Forum organized by the UIA

From October 3 to 5, the International Union of Lawyers (UIA) held the fourth edition of the Business and Human Rights Forum for Legal Practitioners in Madrid. This prestigious event, organized in collaboration with the International Human Rights Committee of the American Bar Association (ABA), IE Law School, and the Ilustre Colegio de la Abogacía de Madrid (ICAM), brought together leading legal experts from around 20 countries.

Held in the Aula Magna of IE University, the forum addressed critical issues at the intersection of human rights, business, and sustainability. Participants explored the evolving relationship between human rights and key sectors like the environment, energy, and climate change, focusing on areas such as finance, contracts, litigation, and advertising.

As part of the collaboration agreement between IE Law School and the UIA, students from the Master in International Legal Studies (LL.M.) program attended, seizing the chance to engage with the latest legal developments in corporate sustainability, including the CS3D directive, as well as emerging legislative trends in the United States and other regions. Discussions also covered key issues such as the ethical and legal implications of artificial intelligence (AI), the evolving responsibilities of the legal profession, and approaches to responsible financing.

Anita Ramasastry, former member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and Henry M. Jackson Professor of Law at the University of Washington, delivered the keynote address. She reflected on the tragic events that catalyzed the Business and Human Rights (BHR) movement, such as the Bhopal disaster in India and the murder of environmental activists in Nigeria, underscoring the ongoing need for corporate accountability.

Other notable speakers included Carlos de Miguel Perales, professor at Universidad Pontificia Comillas; Irit Tamir, director at Oxfam America; Claudia S. de Windt, CEO of the Inter-American Institute on Justice and Sustainability (IIJS); Isabel Winkels, Vice Dean of ICAM; Maite Parejo, partner at MAIO Legaland Co-President of ICAM's Human Rights Observatory; and Eugenia Castrillón, Vice Dean of Programs at IE Law School.

Since its founding in 1927, the UIA has become a global and multicultural organization representing legal professionals in 110 countries. Committed to promoting the rule of law and fostering professional development, the UIA’s annual forum has become a key platform for international discussions on human rights and responsible business practices.