The Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights seeks to advance the realization of economic, social and cultural rights throughout the world, tackling the endemic problem of global poverty through a human rights lens.  We believe this crisis — wherein close to 2 billion people worldwide daily lack access to adequate nutrition, health care, education, housing, water and sanitation — will only be overcome through the concerted efforts of human rights, women’s rights, environmental and development organizations and agencies.  The Global Initiative seeks to play a catalyzing role in fostering these cross-sector partnerships on key issues.  We can change the world as we know it into a world where all economic, social and cultural rights are respected, protected and fulfilled, so that all people everywhere are able to live in dignity.

To further this vision, the Global Initiative works to support and engageadvocates, social movements and grassroots communities at national and local levels to more effectively claim and enforce economic, social and cultural rights, including by engaging international mechanisms for local impact.  We work to strengthen the international human rights framework through creative standard setting so that all people, and in particular marginalized individuals and groups, are able to fully enjoy their economic, social and cultural rights without discrimination and on the basis of equality.  We provide innovative tools to policy makers, development actors and others on the practical implementation of economic, social and cultural rights.  And, we enforce economic, social and cultural rights at international, regional and national mechanisms, ensuring remedies for violations of these rights, with a focus on creating beneficial jurisprudence aimed at transformative change.

Vision

The vision of the Global Initiative is of a world where economic, social and cultural rights are fully respected, protected and fulfilled and on equal footing with civil and political rights, so that all people are able to live in dignity.

Mission

The mission of the Global Initiative is to:

? Strengthen the international human rights framework through creative standard setting, so that all people, and in particular marginalized individuals and groups, are able to fully enjoy their economic, social and cultural rights, and are able to do so without discrimination and on the basis of equality.

? Provide innovative tools to policy makers, development actors and others on the practical implementation and realization of economic, social and cultural rights.

? Enforce economic, social and cultural rights through international, regional and national mechanisms and seek remedies for violations of these rights, with a focus on creating beneficial jurisprudence aimed at transformative change.

? Engage networks of human rights, women’s rights, environmental and development organizations and agencies to advance the sustainable enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights at both national and international levels.

? Work with advocates, social movements and grassroots communities at national and local levels to more effectively claim and enforce economic, social and cultural rights, including by engaging international mechanisms for local impact.