Socio-Economic Justice through Human Rights

In recent decades, we have witnessed a multitude of increasingly urgent demands for social and economic justice whereby every human being should have equal access to health, well-being, wealth and opportunity. If “the age of rights” propelled some hopes in that direction, a series of recent global crises (financial, environmental, socio-political and medical) have instead propelled anxiety, reinforced inequalities, inflamed cleavages and negatively affected economic growth and social development.

We take the view that it is in times of crisis that human rights become more important and transformative. Far from being resolved, the current crises actually offer the opportunity to reclaim a fundamental role for the promotion, protection and implementation of human rights. From equality between women and men to dignified living and working conditions, from social movements to attempts at radical participatory democracy, from social protection to education, many are the areas where a rights-based approach - and socio-economic rights in particular - can and should intertwine with economic and social justice. Good practices and case-law already exist that call for a more attentive study of how social and economic justice can be enhanced through human rights.

This MOOC explores current developments in implementing economic and social rights and their role in redressing unjust distribution of resources and powers. It looks at legal frameworks and current political, social and economic challenges to better understand their links with a rights-based approach to socio-economic justice. Through regional examples and case studies, it provides a global overview of difficulties and obstacles but also possible alternatives and solutions.

Course Outline

Lecturers and Experts

E-Learning Department in cooperation with renowned lecturers and experts, the MOOC offers a wealth of specialised knowledge and examples, enabling participants to benefit from rich and varied competences. The course features relevant actors from a multitude of perspectives on the topic (read bios here):

Agata Hauser

Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan (GC Europe)

Igor Štiks

Faculty of Media and Communications, Belgrade/Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana (GC South East Europe)

Ignacio Saiz

Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR)

Olivier De Schutter

UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights

Magdalena Sepùlveda Carmona

The Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR)

Ann Skelton

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and University of Pretoria (GC Africa)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course participants will have gained:

Knowledge about key international standards, documents and initiatives on a rights-based approach to socio-economic justice
Understanding of progress and obstacles in the implementation of such standards
Ability to identify multi-faceted aspects of current debates on the link between socio-economic justice and human rights
Capacity to discuss specific issues and rights from a theoretical and practical perspective
Awareness of multiple avenues for accountability and redress, as well as support for rights-based changes in the fight for socio-economic justice

F.A.Q.s

Enrolment

How do I enrol in the course?

In order to enrol, please follow the instructions on our “How to Enrol” webpage. This will then lead you to the OpenEdX course page. Once you are there, you can start the enrolment process by clicking the "enrol" button.

Is there a selection procedure to participate in the course?

The course is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), which means we do not select participants on any basis. Rather, we welcome anyone who is interested in learning more about the topic to enrol and participate for free.

Fees

I would like to know if the course is free or if some parts are to be paid

Our course is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), which means all components are open and totally free for anyone.

Do I need to pay any fee to attend the course?

There are no registration or tuition fees. The certificate of participation is also free and offered to all those who successfully complete all the course requirements (see below for details on the certificate).

Accessibility

Is the course accessible to persons with disabilities?

We want all participants in our courses to enjoy a great learning experience and we strive to always improve accessibility. Each week of the course includes one or two video lectures with accompanying transcripts and reading materials. The texts are in PDF format, work at low bandwidths, are printable and can be zoomed to the desired size. Some readings may include pages from accessible websites. This makes all of them accessible to those who use assistive technology software such as screen readers. Likewise, weekly discussions and module quizzes can be completed through our platform which is accessible, for example, to people who use speech input, keyboard accessible controls or text to speech tools. For more details please visit EdX Website Accessibility Policy.

Structure and content

Is there a schedule for the course or is it self-directed?

The course is self-paced so participants can study in their own time.

Certificate of completion

What does it mean “Audit-only”? Will I get a certificate?

Auditors can complete any or all the parts of the course at their own pace, but will not receive a certificate. Participants who want proof of completion can simply print the progress chart that they will find in their course page.

I am not interested in a certificate. Can I still audit the course?

Yes. All our courses can be audited for free. If you audit a course, you can participate in any or all activities and quizzes and complete them, but you will not receive a certificate. Do you still want some proof of participation? You can simply print the progress chart that you will find in your course page.