Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals

Bentiu, South Sudan, two boys walk in a river Bentiu, South Sudan, two boys walk in a river

8 May 2018

Our new Research Brief Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals discusses the mutually reinforcing relationship between economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Research Brief provides a summary of the findings and recommendations contained in the more lengthy publication No One Will Be Left Behind. It describes the limited accountability framework of the 2030 Agenda and looks at the role of United Nations (UN) human rights mechanisms in monitoring the SDGs that seek to realize ESCR. It also draws attention to the need to ensure effective accountability and targeting in the implementation of the SDGs.

Recommendations for Policy Makers, Diplomats and Practitioners

‘Addressed to policy makers, diplomats and practitioners, this Research Brief provides a set of recommendations for states, UN human rights mechanisms, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development’ underlines Dr Christophe Golay, author of the Research Brief and Strategic Adviser on ESCR at the Geneva Academy.

Presentation in Geneva

This Research Brief, along with the publication No One Will Be Left Behind will be presented at both an expert seminar and during a public conference in June in Geneva, as well as at numerous other events during the year.

Addressing the Links Between Development and ESCR

This work forms part of our ongoing research on the linkages between ESCR and development, which started in 2008 with an analysis of the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. The research aims to raise awareness about the complementarity between human rights (HR) and development through an exploration of the relationship between ESCR and global development goals.

‘While today both HR and development actors acknowledge that HR can play an essential role within development and that there are important synergies between the two agendas, the promotion of HR and the pursuit of sustainable development largely continue to be conducted as distinct endeavours’ recalls Dr Christophe Golay. ‘Our research and our training course on ESCR and the SDGs in September precisely aim at filling this gap’ he adds.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

neurodata graphics News

New Research Brief Evaluates the Effectiveness of GDPR in Mitigating Risks Associated with the Distinctive Nature of Neurodata

21 January 2025

Our recent research brief, Neurodata: Navigating GDPR and AI Act Compliance in the Context of Neurotechnology, examines how effectively GDPR addresses the unique risks posed by neurodata.

Read more

neurotech image News

Human Rights Concerns in Neurotechnology Examined in New Research Brief

15 April 2025

Our research brief 'Neurotechnology - Integrating Human Rights in Regulation' examines the human rights challenges posed by the rapid development of neurotechnology.

Read more

Local Government Event

Enhancing National Reporting and Implementation of Human Rights through Coordinated Engagement at the Local and Regional Levels: The Role of NMIRFs

23 July 2025, 10:00-17:00

This seminar explores how national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up can better integrate the capacities, data, and experiences of local and regional governments in advancing human rights implementation and reporting.

Read more

AI for Good Event Event

AI for human rights: Smarter, faster, fairer monitoring

8 July 2025, 14:00-16:00

The event, as part of the AI for Good Summit 2025 will explore how AI tools can support faster data analysis, help uncover patterns in large datasets, and expand the reach of human rights work.

Read more

Training

Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

15-19 September 2025

Participants in this training course will gain practical insights into UN human rights mechanisms and their role in environmental protection and learn about how to address the interplay between international human rights and environmental law, and explore environmental litigation paths.

Read more

surveillance image of people Project

Human Rights in a Digitalized World: Mapping Risk, Strengthening Regulation and Promoting the Development of International Human Rights Law

Started in August 2023

To unpack the challenges raised by artificial intelligence, this project will target two emerging and under-researched areas: digital military technologies and neurotechnology.

Read more

Madagascar, Miarinarivo district. Women transplanting rice. Project

The Rights of Peasants

Started in May 2008

After having provided academic support to the negotiation of the UN Declaration for ten years, this research project focuses on the implementation of the UN Declaration on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas.

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more