Our New Visiting Fellow: Steven L.B. Jensen

5 September 2022

Steven L. B. Jensen is a Senior Researcher at The Danish Institute for Human Rights in Copenhagen and the author of the multiple prize-winning book The Making of International Human Rights. His main areas of speciality are contemporary human rights history (diplomatic, legal and political) and global health and human rights.

He just started as Visiting Fellow at the Geneva Academy and will stay with us until early December.

What motivated you to carry out a fellowship at the Geneva Academy?

The Geneva Academy has a strong combined focus on human rights research and practice. This is something I share - also in my historically oriented research. I feel a close affinity to the Geneva Academy’s aims. I am convinced that the Geneva Academy can offer me a great base to do my research while getting fresh inspiration from what is currently going on in international human rights circles. It is really great to be so close to the United Nations (UN) human rights ecosystem for a period while working on my book as well as to have access to the great research facilities Geneva offers.

What will be the focus of your research during this fellowship?

I am currently working on a book on the history of social and economic human rights in 20th century international politics, supported by a research grant from the Carlsberg Foundation. I will be working on a couple of the chapters for this forthcoming book.

Why are these issues important?

Firstly, we lack a solid and well-documented history of social and economic rights in 20th century international politics. It is a real gap. These rights have been subject to misinterpretations that have limited our understanding of their importance for the evolution of both the larger human rights framework after 1945 and for international politics and international organizations more widely.

Secondly, this type of historical work can inform contemporary human rights debates and diplomacy where a greater appreciation and engagement with these rights are crucial. Quite simply, on both counts we deserve better and qualifying our knowledge and expertise is a good place to start.

What will be the impact of this research?

My first book on the history of international human rights has had quite some impact in many places from local actors to a Head of State paraphrasing its findings in his annual speech to the UN General Assembly. I have seen how a very new take on human rights history that is meticulously researched, solid and diverse in its source-base and more representative of what actually transpired can inspire new perspectives on human rights. I dream of sparking a similar renewed interest in how we engage with social and economic rights and through that human rights more widely. We need better histories – also for the benefit of the future.

What do you expect from your time at the Geneva Academy?

Firstly, I expect to have seriously advanced two key chapters in my book. Secondly, fresh impulses and new inspiration coming out of the Geneva Academy environment and networks. I hope to be able to engage in conversations about how we can advance the discussions about social and economic rights. The UN has a seriously good story to tell – if it would only own it.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Open dump's view from the sky News

New Publication Details the Contours and Next Steps for the Right to a Healthy Environment

9 January 2023

Our new publication Human Rights and the Environment explores the implications of the recently recognised right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, with a focus on the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly.

Read more

Groundnuts at the weekly market of Chiana, Kassena Nankana District - Ghana. News

Major Publication Concludes a Multi-Year Project on Agricultural Commercialisation, Gender Equality and the Right to Food

11 October 2022

The book analyses processes of agricultural commercialization and their impact on gender inequalities and the enjoyment of the human rights to food, land and social security in Cambodia and Ghana.

Read more

EU flag before the European Commission Building Event

UNDROP AND THE EU SEED MARKETING REFORM: PERSPECTIVES FROM BELGIUM

3 April 2023, 15:30-17:00

This online workshop – held in English and French – aims to raise awareness of the upcoming reform of the EU seed marketing legislation and explore pathways to align it with the right to seeds recognized by UNDROP.

Read more

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

11-15 September 2023

This training course will explore the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as with their implementation and enforcement mechanisms; and provide practical insights into the different UN human rights mechanisms pertinent to advancing environmental issues and protecting environmental human rights defenders.

Read more

Plastic pollution on an Italian shore Project

Towards a Better Protection of the Right to a Healthy Environment

Started in January 2022

This research aims at mainstreaming the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and the protection it affords in the work of the UN Human Rights Council, its Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review, as well as in the work of the UN General Assembly and UN treaty bodies.

Read more

Wheat field Project

The Right to Seeds in Europe

Started in January 2018

The project will notably identify the main opportunities and obstacles to protect the right to seeds in Europe. It will also discuss how to promote changes in European laws, policies and trade agreements to ensure that they do not infringe, but facilitate the realization of peasants’ right to seeds.

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 22: The Right to Seeds in Africa

published on February 2023

Christophe Golay, Karine Peschard, Lulbahri Araya

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Right to a Healthy Environment

published on December 2022

Megan Donald

Read more