Realising economic and social rights in Europe: Tips and tricks for NHRIs

Webinar series

Understanding a human rights-based approach to poverty reduction and measurement

Led by Olivier De Schutter, Professor at Université catholique de Louvain and Sciences Po and Member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the webinar is a follow-up to ENNHRI Guide for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) on “Applying a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) to Poverty Reduction and Measurement”. It explored seven key principles outlined in the Guide, while analysing recommendations for NHRIs’ work.

Promoting and protecting economic and social rights of older persons

The webinar, led by Sanna Ahola from the Finnish Human Rights Centre on 29 April, explored how can NHRIs better understand challenges and human rights violations that older persons face and how they can better support them.

  • Sanna Ahola, Finnish Human Rights Centre (from 22:03 to 34:45)
  • Nena Georgantzi, AGE Europe (from 35:36 to 50:56)
  • Dr Claudia Mahler, German Institute for Human Rights, UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons (as of 1 May 2020) (from 53:44 to 1:09:44)

Economic Recovery Based on Equality and Human Rights: What role for National Human Rights Institutions and National Equality Bodies?

The webinar, as part of the CoE-FRA-ENNHRI-Equinet Collaborative Platform on Social and Economic Rights, explored the profound and transformative societal challenges triggered by the COVID-19 outbreak and their impact on equality and human rights.  The meeting also illustrated how NHRIs and National Equality Bodies can play an effective role as key actors in the ongoing recovery efforts in their social, economic and environmental dimensions and identified new lines of thinking for strengthening the protection of equality and human rights in the context of the COVID-19 crisis

  • Aoife Nolan, Member of the European Committee of Social Rights (from 00:00 to 14:57)
  • Katarina Ivanković-Knežević, Director for Social Affairs, DG EMPL, European Commission (from 15:28 to 36:18)
  • Grigorios Tsioukas, European Agency for Fundamental Rights (from 42:16 to 51:36)
  • Kim van Sparrentak, Member of the European Parliament, Greens/EFA (from 52:39 to 59:15)
  • Sandra Konstatzky, Austrian Ombud for Equal Treatment (from 01:00:10 to 01:07:53)
  • Michael Windfuhr, UN CESCR, German Institute for Human Rights (from 01:15:31 to 01:23:39)
  • Stefan Clauwaert, European Trade Union Confederation (from 01:25:27 to 01:44:36)

Understanding the European Pillar of Social Rights

The Webinar provided an open space for discussion between ENNHRI members and the European Commission and clarified ways how European NHRIs can engage with the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Semester including tips and tricks for ENNHRI submission to the ongoing consultation on reinforcing Social Europe.

Learn more about our work on economic and social rights