On 22 September 2021, Harvard announced the death of Professor John Gerard Ruggie, last week.

A post by Gerald L. Neuman describes him as a major figure in international relations and human rights. Ruggie was the Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights and International Affairs at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.  In the human rights field he is most famous for establishing a viable foundation for addressing the human rights responsibilities of business corporations, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011).  A brilliant strategist, Ruggie engaged in extensive consultation, study, analysis and persuasion to rescue the business-and-human-rights project from the polarized confrontation that had brought it to an impasse.  His invaluable book Just Business:  Multinational Corporations and Human Rights (2013) provides a model for the multi-dimensional negotiations that enable such achievements. John’s unique blend of kindness, rigour, insight, and attentive listening will be sorely missed.

see also: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2014/07/11/more-on-un-process-toward-contentious-treaty-on-business-and-human-rights/

HRP Mourns the Passing of Professor John Ruggie

This post was originally published on Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards.