Ethical Supply Chains

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Labor rights and other social responsibility standards play a pivotal role in trade, supply chains, business, diplomacy and development. Recent tariff and trade policy changes have ratcheted up global tensions, with treatment of workers serving as a flash point, particularly regarding access to critical resources. Businesses are responding through sophisticated supply chain management systems, while labor and human rights actors are struggling with creative but piecemeal efforts, hampered by growing disparities in wealth and power, the expansion of AI, and the changing nature of employment. How will business, investors, governments and civil society effectively act in this dynamic environment? The class addresses three themes: International Labor Standards, Free Trade Agreements & Customs Law, and Corporate Supply Chain Due Diligence, taking an interdisciplinary approach, with latitude for students to address countries, regions and topics in their interest. Guest speakers will be invited to address key topics.