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prioritize the full framework’s application where needed. 
It will also act as a comprehensive resource for learning, 
governance, and stakeholder engagement.
María Fernanda Chacón, sustainability program manager 
at the Pulte Institute, notes, “Our initiative transforms 
in-depth research into actionable solutions, 
bridging the gap between analysis and real-world 
impact. We firmly believe that thorough human 
rights risk assessments can protect communities 
and enhance corporate accountability.”
“By implementing the RRW framework, we aim to lead 
environment-intensive industries in understanding and 
upholding human rights, no matter the legal, social, or 
environmental context.”
Sharing information to create greater awareness about 
the framework has been an important part of phase 
three’s efforts. In October 2023, the RRW framework was 
showcased to Deloitte Innovation Solutions executives 
during a workshop in Chicago, part of the Notre Dame 
Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership’s Fall Forum. The 
team has also submitted proposals to present at the UN 
Conference on Business and Human Rights and the World 
Water Congress and Exhibition 2024, to bring findings to 
a wider audience.
Human Rights and Environmental Stewardship: 
The “Realizing Rights for Water” Framework
The Pulte Institute for Global Development
Following a year of research assessment, the Pulte 
Institute’s ongoing partnership with multinational mining 
corporation BHP has yielded a framework ready for real-
world implementation. The “Realizing Rights for Water” 
(RRW) framework empowers industry actors to uphold 
the human right to water by guiding them to consider 
the potential human rights impacts of their operations.
In its third phase, the “A Rights-Based Approach for 
Water Governance in a 21st Century World” project 
has achieved significant milestones. These include the 
creation of a streamlined, user-friendly framework, 
stakeholder engagement, and comprehensive case 
study research. 
Researchers identified 15 historic case studies of water-
intensive industry operations affecting local populations 
in countries from Colombia and Mongolia to the United 
States. The framework was applied to these cases, 
taking into account various political and environmental 
contexts. This analysis has created a knowledge base 
for practitioners to assess the human rights impacts 
of their operations and has the potential to serve as 
a broader educational tool. Academics may use the 
database as training material, and industry actors will 
benefit from understanding the framework’s scope 
and outcomes.
A website, designed to present the project in an 
accessible manner, is expected to launch in the second 
half of 2024. This platform will enhance understanding 
and facilitate the application of the RRW framework.
To further broaden the framework’s impact, researchers 
and students are working to simplify the RRW tool. 
This streamlined version will enable water-intensive 
industries to rapidly assess multiple projects and 
27 | 2023-24 Annual Review

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