What is the Learning Tool?
The Learning Tool is an entry-level e-learning course for companies on Human Rights and Business. It has been developed for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) by the UN System Staff College, in consultation with the Global Compact Office.

The tool focuses on the two Global Compact human rights principles and related concepts of spheres of influence and complicity.

The course comprises three modules:
• Module 1: Introduction to Human Rights
• Module 2: The Concept of Sphere of Influence
• Module 3: The Notion of Complicity

What is the tool’s objective?
The tool's objective is to help managers and CSR professionals in companies participating in the UN Global Compact to understand what human rights are and how they are relevant to their business operations, particularly in relation to the two Global Compact principles. While the course is designed to be directly useful to Global Compact participants, it may also be relevant to companies not (yet) participating in the Global Compact.

How does the tool work and how do you access it?
The Learning Tool is web-based. It is accessible on the websites of OHCHR (www.ohchr.org) and the Global Compact (http://www.unglobalcompact.org). Companies can access the training tool from anywhere. And work is underway to allow people with slow internet access to use the tool without additional difficulty. The tool is interactive: links, exercises and case studies will help the participant understand the various concepts presented. As the tool is web based, there are plans to update it regularly. Further modules may be added as well.

What is the purpose of the pilot phase?
The current version of tool is a draft. Comments on this draft have already been provided by a number of companies and human rights experts. The tool is available for further comments from any user for a period of two and a half months, after which the tool will be finalized and officially launched. Comments and suggestions must be sent to humanrightsandbusiness@ohchr.org or faxed to +41 22 917 9010 before 1 June 2007. A final version of the tool will be launched during the Global Compact Leaders Summit on 5-6 July 2007.

For any query, please contact us at: humanrightsandbusiness@ohchr.org