BUILDING BACK BETTER: A FOCUS ON THE RIGHT TO HEALTH AND THE RIGHT TO FOOD

The global COVID-19 crisis is exposing and exacerbating existing inequalities and violations of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR), with devastating effects on vulnerable groups and societies. The challenges brought about by the pandemic have placed even greater strain on the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Can the SDGs and ESCR, in particular the rights to health and to food, provide substantial guidance for immediate crisis response and for long-term recovery strategies towards fair, resilient and sustainable societies that leave no one behind? How can United Nations (UN) human rights mechanisms monitor pandemic recovery programs to ensure that they sustainably combat inequalities made evident during the crisis? How can they contribute to building back better, with the SDGs and the rights to health and food at the centre?

This training course builds on a series of training delivered during the last years around different ESCR and their links to the SDGs. The 2022 edition will focus on the topical question of the COVID impact, including backlashes in the progress towards the SDGs, with a focus on the rights to health and food.

IN GENEVA AND ONLINE

This training course can be followed in Geneva or online.

PROGRAMME

The course covers the following issues:

  • Human rights-based approaches to development
  • The inclusion of human rights in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
  • 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
  • The High-Level Policy Forum on Sustainable Development
  • The global COVID-19 crisis’ impact on the rights to health and food and related SDGs
  • Collection of disaggregated data and indicators
  • The role of UN human rights mechanisms in monitoring pandemic recovery programs (Human Rights Council, Special Procedures, and Treaty Bodies)
  • The potential contribution of UN human rights mechanisms to building back better, with the rights to health and food, and related SDGs at the centre
  • 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 differences and similarities between ESCR and the SDGs
  • Familiar with the content of specific ESCR and related SDGs
  • Knowledgeable about data collection and indicators to monitor ESCR and the SDGs
  • Able to describe the global COVID-19 crisis’s impact on the rights to health and food and related SDGs
  • Aware of the role that UN human rights mechanisms play in monitoring pandemic recovery programs (Human Rights Council, Special Procedures and Treaty Bodies)
  • Able to discuss the potential contribution of UN human rights mechanisms to building back better, with the rights to health and food, and related SDGs at the centre
  • Cognizant of the obstacles faced by international mechanisms responsible for monitoring ESCR and the SDGs
  • Able to integrate tools for implementing and monitoring ESCR and the SDGs, and for contributing to building back better in their work.

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.

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

Learn more about the course and apply here