Can economic policies promote inclusivity? - with Epsy Cambell
What does economic justice for African and Afro-descendant communities look like in the 21st century? We talk to economist and former Vice President of Costa Rica, Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr, and explore how colonialism, slavery, and systemic racism have solidified structural inequalities. From her vital work with the UN Permanent Forum for People of African Descent, she argues for the importance of reparations, affirmative action, and inclusive governance to address centuries of racial injustice. She reflects on the Human Rights Economy as an opportunity to have a more just economy grounded on dignity for all, and urges transformative leadership from governments, private entities, and civil society.Ranging from worldwide development to local situations, this dialogue serves as a rallying cry to establish a new economic agreement, one that truly provides freedom, justice, and opportunities for all.Topics/Chapters(00:00) Introduction of Epsy Campbell and “Can economic policies promote inclusivity?” (01:27) The need for reparation against the socioeconomic legacies of colonialism and consequences of systemic racism, to leave no one behind (the 2030 Agenda)(08:58) Leveraging the 2030 Agenda(13:19) A Human Rights Economy enables dignity for all people(16:45) The necessity of affirmative action(21:20) The UN Permanent Forum for People of African Descent and the integration of racial justice into socioeconomic global agendas(27:36) Conclusion: call to Action to the listenersIf you’d like to learn more about the Human Rights Economy, the work of OHCHR or UNSSC, check Economies that work-for all Podcast | Trello
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Mission oriented economies: putting human rights at the centre- with Mariana Mazzucato
This week, we speak to Mariana Mazzucato, Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value, about creating ’mission-oriented economies’ that place human rights and the common good at their centre.Rather than simply fixing market failures, Professor Mazzucato argues that governments must shape markets around bold societal missions – from achieving net zero to ensuring health for all. This requires fundamental changes: moving from being ‘lenders of last resort’ to ‘investors of first resort’, setting conditions on public funding to ensure risks and rewards are shared, and building state capacity for long-term public value creation.She makes the case for mission-oriented development banks that don't just de-risk private investment, but actively direct patient capital towards transformational change. From redesigning procurement policies to embedding conditionalities in public-private partnerships, this approach demands a new social contract between business, government and communities - one that prioritises public value over shareholder value and ensures that collectiveintelligence leads to collectively shared rewards. Human rights are a key framework to guide these transformations. Topics/Chapters(00:00) Introduction of Mariana Mazzucato and "Mission-oriented economies: putting human rights at the centre" (01:01) ‘Shaping’ instead of ‘Fixing’ the free market(03:09) The concept of ‘mission-oriented’ economies: reshaping the economy with purpose and agency(08:25) Putting HRs at the center of this ‘mission’(20:13) Integrating human rights into the financing for development: addressing the dysfunctional dynamics of the current international financial system and intentionally reshaping where the money goes(31:34) Integrating Human Rights principles into the financing for development: redistributive policies but also promotion of agency and dignity(39:48) Conclusion: Call to Action to the listenersIf you’d like to learn more about the Human Rights Economy, the work of OHCHR or UNSSC, check Economies that work-for all Podcast | Trello
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Mission-oriented economies: putting human rights at the centre - with Mariana Mazzucato
This week, we invite economist and University College London professor Dr. Mariana Mazzucato who introduces the concept of a ’mission-oriented economy’ and the need to put human rights at its core. She suggests that this would require bold shifts in how governments shape markets, redefine the public sector, and invest in long-term value creation. From reforming national fiscal policy to enhancing the role of multilateral development institutions.In particular, she makes a compelling case for public development banks to move beyond simply fixing market failures and instead take the lead as proactive investors in sustainable development, social equity, and climate action.Topics/Chapters(00:00) Introduction of Mariana Mazzucato and "Mission-oriented economies: putting human rights at the centre" (01:01) ‘Shaping’ instead of ‘Fixing’ the free market(03:09) The concept of ‘mission-oriented’ economies: reshaping the economy with purpose and agency(08:25) Putting HRs at the center of this ‘mission’(20:13) Integrating human rights into the financing for development: addressing the dysfunctional dynamics of the current international financial system and intentionally reshaping where the money goes(31:34) Integrating Human Rights principles into the financing for development: redistributive policies but also promotion of agency and dignity(39:48) Conclusion: Call to Action to the listenersIf you’d like to learn more about the Human Rights Economy, the work of OHCHR or UNSSC, check Economies that work-for all Podcast | Trello
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The Doughnut Economy: promoting a development model that focuses on people and the planet - with Kate Raworth
We welcome economist and ‘Doughnut Economics’ founder, Kate Raworth, to discuss how we can create economies that satisfy everyone’s fundamental needs while respecting Earth’s limits. Using the ‘Doughnut Economics’ framework, which places human dignity, social justice, and environmental sustainability at the core of economic policy-making, Raworth presents another alternative vision for redefining progress in the 21stcentury, that is closely aligned with the idea of a ‘human rights economy’.If you care about economic equity and sustainable growth, this episode presents a tangible approach to tackle the climate crisis and work towards a sustainable future for both people and the planet.Topics/Chapters(00:00) Introduction of Kate Raworth and "The Doughnut Economy: promoting a development model that focuses on people and the planet" (01:03) The flaws of the current economics teaching and thinking(03:31) The need to go beyond GDP and to integrate ‘the living’ into economics(06:22) The alternative vision offered by ‘Doughnut Economics and how HRs underpinned its development (17:31) Transforming how we define 'economic success' - practical implementation: “the countries which are doing well are not the ones you think”(28:03) The Doughnut and the HRE: tools for both a systemic analysis & change and for addressing people’s everyday issues(38:35) The Economy in service to the living world – change of the economic paradigm If you’d like to learn more about the Human Rights Economy, the work of OHCHR or UNSSC, check Economies that work-for all Podcast | Trello
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Life and Debt: Why the SDGs cannot progress under austerity - with Grieve Chelwa
Dr. Grieve Chelwa (Associate Professor of Political Economy at The Africa Institute) questions the prevailing belief that countries in the Global South are at fault for the current global debt crisis. He points to the current and historical inequities in the current global financial system, which traps nations in debt cycles that undermine human rights, economic sovereignty, and progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). When debt is caused by external factors which countries have no control over, imposing crushing fiscal austerity to fix the debt situation is unlikely to work.He presents the interlinkages between the human rights economy and his concepts of ‘Inclusive Economic Rights and Emancipatory Development’ and details how a human rights economy could revolutionize this system by outing the accent on people and ensuring governments can prioritize their human rights obligations for everyone’s health, education, and social protection. Tune in for a compelling conversation on debt justice, economic reform, and what it takes to build a more equitable global economy.Topics/Chapters(00:00) Introduction of Grieve Chelwa and "Life and Debt: Why the SDGs cannot progress under austerity" (01:53) The debt trap and austerity measures ‘false solution’, and how they are preventing States from meeting their people’s socioeconomic rights(08:04) The debt crisis is getting worse with growing private bilateral debt(10:58) The source of the debt crisis: an outdated and unfair international financial architecture and governance system(15:48) The positive contribution a HRE approach can bring (22:09) Human Rights obligations: not a burden but a tool to solve the problem(24:54) ‘Inclusive Economic Rights’, ‘Emancipatory Development’ and the HRE(32:10) Human Rights are a necessary condition for developmentIf you’d like to learn more about the Human Rights Economy, the work of OHCHR or UNSSC, check Economies that work-for all Podcast | Trello
Dive into the transformative power of human rights in economic policymaking! Join us as we talk with leading economists dedicated to fostering equitable growth. Explore how integrating economic policy with human rights can foster just and sustainable societies, and dive into the concept of a Human Rights Economy championed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. Tune in for insights that can reshape our world. Learn more about the Human Rights Economy at https://www.ohchr.org.
Co-developed by UN System Staff College & the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Ireland