Seminar Recap: A solution in plain sight for a better world: a Human Rights Economy
Held in conjunction with the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and OHCHR’s Human Rights 75 initiative, this seminar focused on rekindling the spirit of the UDHR and its five sets of essential rights: political, civil, cultural, social, and economic rights. The seminar commenced with opening remarks from Keith Holmes, Research Coordinator, UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme Team, UNESCO, and Konstantinos Tararas, Programme Specialist, Inclusion, Rights and Dialogue Section, Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO. Their remarks set the stage for the discussion.
The session featured experts on human rights economy and its potential for creating a more equitable world, including Chitralekha Massey, coordinator of Countering Inequalities, Development, Economic, Social Issues Branch at OHCHR; Nomthandazo Ntlama Makhanya, UNESCO Chair Oliver Tambo Chair of Human Rights, University of Fort Hare, South Africa; Savitri Bisnath, Senior Economist at the SURGE Initiative, OHCHR; and Grieve Chelwa, Director of Research at the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, The New School, New York, United States of America.
Throughout the seminar, participants discussed how human rights principles can be incorporated into economic systems, societies can work towards greater inclusivity, social justice, and sustainable development. It underscored the significance of establishing a human rights economy and the transformative potential of higher education institutes in driving this change. By embracing human rights principles in economic decision-making, societies can strive towards a more just and equitable world.
