WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL ACTION DIALOGUE HELD AT OU LAW

Norman - The University of Oklahoma College of Law hosted a dialogue on the White House National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct on Thursday in the Dick Bell Courtroom. The College of Law is only one of four colleges nationwide to host such consultations.  

In September, President Barack Obama announced plans to develop a National Action Plan to promote responsible business conduct by U.S. companies operating overseas, consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Expanding U.S. efforts to promote responsible business conduct is intended to cement the brand of U.S. businesses as reliable and accountable partners internationally and promote respect for human rights. 

The meetings hosted by OU Law was part of a series of open dialogues during which stakeholders exchange ideas on the National Action Plan process and content. 

Seven officials from the U.S. State Department, Commerce Department, and the Agency for International Development attended this week’s meetings as well as indigenous peoples representatives, civil society representatives, and representatives from business.  Members of the OU community attending included faculty and students, as well as alumni, from the College of Law, College of Business, College of International Studies, and College of Earth and Energy.  

“Given OU Law’s core strengths in the areas of Indigenous Peoples Law, Energy Law, and International Human Rights, our faculty and students have a strong interest in these topics. We are honored to host these consultations and are proud that we have the background and knowledge needed to contribute to this important discussion,” said OU College of Law Dean Joseph Harroz, Jr.  

About OU Law:  Founded in 1909, the University of Oklahoma College of Law is Oklahoma’s premier law school and the highest ranked law school in the state by US News & World Report. OU Law is also nationally recognized as a “Best Value” law school by National Jurist magazine. OU Law has small sections and class sizes that encourage a strong sense of community, accomplished faculty with international expertise and a state-of-the-art facility featuring study rooms, court rooms and classrooms equipped with the latest technology. As Oklahoma’s only public law school, OU Law is the academic home of more than 500 students enrolled in the juris doctor program, the John B. Turner Master of Laws program, the master of legal studies program, and various dual degree programs.