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UNAIR NEWS – In recognition of International Workers’ Day, Uni, through its Center for ESG Studies (CESGS), hosted the third edition of the ESG Talk Series on Monday (April 28, 2025). This session focused on managing corporate resources through the lens of business responsibility and human rights. The event drew participation from academics, business professionals, and students committed to sustainability issues.

Human rights as business imperative

Aditya Aji Prabhawa, representing CESGS, opened the session by stressing that modern resource management must incorporate human rights compliance. He emphasized the need for companies to ensure their operations uphold fundamental human rights. “Human rights are no longer just a social initiative—they are now part of the regulatory framework,” he stated.

Prabhawa also explained how integrating human rights into business operations can strengthen a company’s reputation and competitiveness in the global market. Businesses that align their policies with human rights standards are better positioned to build trust with key stakeholders.

Keynote speaker Fajar Kristanto, SA, MA, noted that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved into the more comprehensive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) model. However, he warned that the social aspect of ESG is often overlooked. He stressed the importance of Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD)—a systematic process for evaluating and preventing potential human rights violations. “HRDD helps ensure companies do not infringe on the rights of employees, local communities, or those within their supply chains,” he said.

Citing United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs), Kristanto explained that HRDD requires businesses to proactively identify, prevent, and address risks to human rights. Companies are expected to take full responsibility for any harmful impacts resulting from their operations or business partners.

Toward more ethical business model

CESGS used the platform to remind the business community that sustainability goes beyond carbon reduction and clean energy; it also includes the protection of human dignity. “Human rights are non-negotiable—they are a foundational value in modern business,” Kristanto concluded.

CESGS also urged company leaders to begin implementing HRDD within their business strategies. Doing so not only advances sustainability goals but also promotes social equity for all stakeholders involved.

Author: Samudra Luhur  

Editor : Edwin Fatahuddin