Empowering sustainable growth: The human rights economy

As part of the UN Transformation Series, this webinar will explore the transformative potential of the Human Rights Economy (HRE)—a bold, rights-based approach to economic policymaking that seeks to address the structural injustices of the current global system.

Rooted in the recognition that economic, social, and cultural rights are legal obligations, not just aspirational goals, HRE emphasizes the integration of human rights norms and standards into budgets, taxation, and economic decisions to ensure more equitable outcomes. This approach aims to prevent policies that exacerbate inequalities, undermine labor and social rights, or contribute to climate emergencies.

The concept of a Human Rights Economy, formally launched by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2023, has garnered significant attention and support across the United Nations(UN) system, Member States, economists, and civil society organizations. It is positioned as one of the strategic priorities in the Office Management Plan guiding OHCHR’s work and will be integral to future UN joint advocacy and programming.

In this webinar, we will explore the following key themes:

• How the current global economic system is failing to address inequalities and climate crises.
•  How a Human Rights Economy can be developed and mainstreamed across UN operations.
• The role of the UN and other international actors in advancing this transformative agenda.
•  Practical challenges and capacity-building needs for implementing the HRE approach.

 Speakers: 

• Welcome and opening: Silke Weinlich, Deputy Director, Learning and Knowledge Services, UNSSC 
• Moderation: Sandhya Balasubrahmanyam, Learning Portfolio Manager, UNSSC 
• Panelists:  
• Todd Howland, Chief of the Development, Economic, and Social Rights Branch, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) 
• Shahrashoub Razavi, Director, Universal Social Protection Department, SOCPRO, International Labour Organization (ILO) 

The webinar will take place on Thursday, 10 October 2024, from 14:00-15:15 CEST. Interested participants are invited to register below:

This is the fifth webinar of the UN Transformation Series: Building Capacities Amidst Crises. Learn more about it here.