Road testing human rights
To Novo Nordisk it is crucial that business interests are balanced with the protection of human rights. And as a business leader Novo Nordisk also has a commitment to act as a role model and source of inspiration to others. This is one of the primary reasons behind Novo Nordisk’s joining the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights (BLIHR) and in 2004, Novo Nordisk began to implement a human rights management system across its own organisation.
Managing human rights
For decades, Novo Nordisk has been pursuing a more sustainable development. In the 1970’s this led to the formation of one of the world’s first environmental management systems and later Novo Nordisk was among the pioneers to implement the comprehensive ‘Triple Bottom Line’ approach to business performance. The management system ensures that sustainability issues are integrated in the strategic development of the business.
In 1998 Novo Nordisk took yet another step by signing the UN Global Compact, which is a commitment to support, respect and protect human rights within the scope of the company’s business. And in 2004, the first steps towards designing and implementing an actual Human Rights Management System were taken.
Work in progress
“A major challenge in implementing this system is getting decision makers in the global organisation to understand and consider the aspects of human rights in every strategic decision they make - just as environmental considerations are already an integral part of the Novo Nordisk Way of Management. We are still in the process of designing the system and are developing it continuously, as we progress with the implementation. The overall approach, however, is that the right management decisions should promote and support the Novo Nordisk business as well as human rights. It is work in progress and it will take time to before the system is effectively embedded throughout the organisation, but we are on track. And in the process, we share our experiences and get new inspiration through our networking with other global businesses,” explains Elin Schmidt, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility Management at Novo Nordisk.
Business leaders initiative
In late spring of 2003 Novo Nordisk joined the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights (BLIHR) together with 6 other global companies. The purpose is to exchange know-how and create a ripples-in-the-water effect that will further integrate human rights into the global business society. Today, 10 global enterprises have joined and committed themselves to the 3-year initiative.
The BLIHR member companies discuss and develop best practice tools and ‘road-test’ the UN Norms1 to suggest constructive improvements that will make the global business society more adaptive to considering human rights in their decision-making.
“Ultimately, the responsibility for upholding human rights lies with the governments of the world, democratically elected or not. But this should not keep us from trying to inspire and engage businesses and other actors in society to working together promoting awareness and increase the international focus on this important issue,” says Elin Schmidt.
1. The United Nations Norms on the Responsibilities of Trans-national Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights
