Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals

A view of Delmas 32, a neighborhood in Haiti

World Bank

How complementary are economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2015? Which mechanisms exist to monitor their implementation? What is the role of UN human rights mechanisms in monitoring ESCR and the SDGs? Which lessons can be learned from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) period?

This training course explores the relationship between ESCR and SDGs and provides participants with practical tools to include ESCR and the SDGs in their work. Three examples of national implementation – in India, Colombia and Switzerland – are discussed. Themes covered include the rights to health, food, water, sanitation, housing, education, work, and social security, and the SDGs related to these rights.

Throughout the course, participants will have the opportunity to engage with international human rights experts.

Online

This short course is offered exclusively online.

Programme

The course covers the following issues:

Human rights-based approaches to development
ESCR and the MDGs: lessons learned for the SDGs
The inclusion of human rights in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Focus on specific SDGs and ESCR: the rights to health, education, water and sanitation, food, housing, work, and social security
SDGs 1 to 17: towards the full realization of ESCR for all?
No one will be left behind: the end of inequality and discrimination?
Gender, ESCR and SDGs
Collection of disaggregated data and indicators
Accountability at the international level: the High-Level Policy Forum on Sustainable Development and beyond
National ownership of the implementation and monitoring of ESCR and the SDGs
Examples of national implementation: India, Colombia and Switzerland.
The role of UN human rights mechanisms in monitoring ESCR and the SDGs (Human Rights Council, special procedures, and treaty bodies)
Discussions with international human rights experts

Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will be:

Familiar with human rights-based approaches to development
Able to identify the main achievements and weaknesses of the MDGs from a human rights perspective
Familiar with the content of specific ESCR and related SDGs, in particular, the rights to health, education, water and sanitation, food, housing, work, and social security
Able to identify the main differences and similarities between ESCR and the SDGs
Aware of the challenges to the full realization of ESCR and the SDGs
Knowledgeable about data collection and indicators to monitor ESCR and the SDGs
Aware of the role played by UN human rights mechanisms in monitoring ESCR and the SDGs, in particular, the Human Rights Council, special procedures, and treaty bodies
Cognizant of the obstacles faced by international and national mechanisms responsible for monitoring ESCR and the SDGs
Able to integrate tools for implementing and monitoring ESCR and the SDGs in their work.

Lecturers

The training course is given by members of academia and senior professionals from the Geneva Academy, international organizations, including from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and NGOs.

Methodology

The course is interactive and participants are encouraged to share their own experiences and perspectives on the issues. The training sessions include lectures and discussions with experts, as well as practical examples and case studies. Sessions are designed to enhance knowledge exchange with peers and facilitators.

Audience

This training course is designed for staff of NGOs, development and human rights institutions, UN bodies and other international organizations, as well as representatives of governments and members of academia.

Certification

Participants who successfully complete the training course receive a certificate of participation from the Geneva Academy.

Fee

The training fee for this five-day programme is 1,250 Swiss Francs (30 percent discount for PhD and master students). In case of cancellation by the participant, CHF 200 won't be returned.