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Conscience incorporated: pursuing profits while protecting human rights

Hosted by the Department of International Development

In-person and online public event (Sheikh Zayed Theatre, Cheng Kin Ku Building)

Speaker

Professor Michael Posner

Chair

Professor Duncan Green

Join us for the launch of Conscience Incorporated by Michael Posner. In today’s world, where corporations wield immense power and influence, how can business leaders balance the pursuit of profits with ethical responsibility?

Drawing from decades of experience as a human rights lawyer, former State Department official, and Director of the Centre for Business and Human Rights at NYU Stern School of Business, Posner presents a clear roadmap for business leaders to align profitability with ethical practices. Through well-researched case studies of major corporations—including Nike, Coca-Cola, Walmart, and Meta—he explores how companies can, and must, do better in addressing human rights abuses within their supply chains, labour practices, and digital platforms. With governments, particularly in Europe, stepping in to regulate corporate behaviour, Conscience Incorporated is a guide for executives, investors, and policymakers navigating the evolving landscape of corporate accountability.

Meet our speaker and chair

Michael Posner (@mikehposner) is the Professor of Ethics and Finance at NYU’s Stern School of Business and Director of the Center for Business and Human Rights at the School. Mike served in the Obama Administration from 2009-2013 as Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. 

Duncan Green (@duncangreenlse.bsky.social) is Director of LSE's new Activism, Change and Influence programme and Professor in Practice in the International Development Department.

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The Department of International Relations (@lseid.bsky.social) at LSE is now in its 97th year, and is one of the oldest as well as largest IR departments in the world, with a truly international reputation. The Department is ranked 2nd in the UK and 5th in the world in the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2024 tables for Politics and International Studies.

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This public event is free and open to all. This event will be a hybrid event, with an in-person audience and an online audience.

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For the online event: Registration for this event via LSE Live will open in mid April.

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