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.
Leilani Farha—former UN special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing and global director of THE SHIFT—joins us in this episode for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on housing as a human right.
Farha describes housing as a “springboard” to nearly every other human right, emphasizing that without a safe and secure home, it is nearly impossible to live a full and dignified life. She argues that meaningfully enforcing the right to housing is key to confronting the deepening global housing crisis.
Building on this foundation, our conversation turns to the structural forces shaping today’s housing landscape—from the financialization of housing markets to the systemic roots of homelessness. Rather than viewing homelessness as an individual shortcoming, we examine it as a policy failure embedded in broader economic systems. We also discuss the role of corporate actors, and why greater accountability, while not a silver bullet, could be a powerful step toward creating fairer and more sustainable housing systems.
If you’d like to learn more about the Human Rights Economy, the work of OHCHR or UNSSC, check this link (https://trello.com/b/rOX0oMix/economies-that-work-for-all-podcast).
21 Apr 2026
From ‘Lost Decades’ to Human Rights Economies: Rethinking Development from Sri Lanka’s Experience
We welcome Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar—a leading Sri Lankan economist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Jaffna, examines Sri Lanka’s so-called “lost decade,” marked by a shrinking economy, rising debt burdens, widespread food shortages, and skyrocketing inflation. He traces how misguided economic and development policies compounded over time to erode what was once a relatively prosperous economy.
While rooted in Sri Lanka’s experience, his analysis resonates far beyond one country, offering insights into the structural pressures shaping economic development across many countries. Dr. Kadirgamar makes the case for a Human Rights Economy grounded in collective action,participation and democratic economic policymaking, calling systems designed to improve people’s lives rather than maximize profits.
If you’d like to learn more about the Human Rights Economy, the work of OHCHR or UNSSC, check this link (https://trello.com/b/rOX0oMix/economies-that-work-for-all-podcast).
14 Apr 2026
Advancing a Rights-based Just Transition in South Africa
For the third episode of the Economies that work - for all, we welcome Dorah Modise, Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Commission of South Africa. The episode explores South Africa’s efforts on just transition, examining plans to move toward a low-carbon economy and the government’s strategy for developing the country’s significant critical minerals sector, all within a framework that places human rights at the centre of the transition.
The conversation highlights the country's transformative policy approaches, including the decentralization of power supply and a growing reliance on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Together, these efforts seek to ensure that the transition not only reduces emissions but also avoids deepening energy poverty or creating new inequalities—delivering benefits that are both equitable and far-reaching. The episode further provides an inside perspective on the complexities of steering a national energy transition, as policymakers gather support from government and industry, and ensure that workers, Indigenous peoples and affected communities have their rights respected.
If you’d like to learn more about the Human Rights Economy, the work of OHCHR or UNSSC, check this link (https://trello.com/b/rOX0oMix/economies-that-work-for-all-podcast).
7 Apr 2026
Reducing Inequality: Inside Brazil's approach to a fairer taxation that shapes redistribution
In the second episode of Economies that work-for all, we are pleased to welcome Poliana Garcia Ferreira, General Coordinator of International Tax Cooperation in Brazil, for an in-depth conversation on poverty and extreme economic inequality in developing countries. Using Brazil as a case study, the episode explores how governments can leverage fiscal policy, progressive taxation, and targeted social spending to address entrenched poverty and reshape unequal economic structures. Framed within the broader field of social policy and the human rights economy, the discussion highlights how the strategic and intentional use of public finance tools can shift the status quo and expand access to economic opportunity.
The conversation further examines why tax policy can no longer be treated as purely a national concern. In today’s globalized economy, multinational corporations and ultra-wealthy individuals pay way less taxes than they should, while the poorer are overburdened. As Ms. Garcia Ferreira emphasizes, transparent dialogue and coordinated cooperation — both domestically and internationally — are essential to building an intelligent and effective global tax architecture that strengthen human rights and support a life with dignity for all.
If you’d like to learn more about the Human Rights Economy, the work of OHCHR or UNSSC, check this link (https://trello.com/b/rOX0oMix/economies-that-work-for-all-podcast).
31 Mar 2026
Walking The Talk: How Spain is building an economy that works for people
In this episode, we welcome Pablo Bustinduy, Spain’s Minister of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and the 2030 Agenda, for a conversation on the responsibility of democratic governments to advance social policy through both legislation and economic strategy. Drawing on recent reforms in Spain, Minister Bustinduy discusses how embedding human rights principles and the UN 2030 Agenda into fiscal and economic policy is essential to building a modern welfare state fit for the 21st century.
The discussion explores why wealthy democracies cannot allow poverty and social exclusion to persist, and why leaving welfare to market forces alone is a political and economic mistake. Minister Bustinduy argues for a rights-based approach to economic governance—one that recognizes workers and their labor, paid and unpaid, as the foundation of society and treats redistribution not only as a matter of justice, but as an economic necessity. This episode offers key insights for anyone interested in fomenting a fairer and more equal society.
If you’d like to learn more about the Human Rights Economy, the work of OHCHR or UNSSC, check this link (https://trello.com/b/rOX0oMix/economies-that-work-for-all-podcast).
11 Jul 2025
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 listeners
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 (https://trello.com/b/rOX0oMix/economies-that-work-for-all-podcast)
8 Jul 2025
Mission oriented economies: putting human rights at the centre- with Mariana Mazzucato
Professor Mariana Mazzucato discusses creating mission-oriented economies that prioritize human rights and the common good by shaping markets and strategically investing public funds in this interview episode.
2 Jul 2025
The Doughnut Economy: promoting a development model that focuses on people and the planet - with Kate Raworth
Economist Kate Raworth introduces the Doughnut Economics framework, which prioritizes human dignity, social justice, and environmental sustainability in economic policy, offering a tangible approach to tackling the climate crisis in this interview.
27 Jun 2025
Life and Debt: Why the SDGs cannot progress under austerity - with Grieve Chelwa
Dr. Grieve Chelwa challenges the notion that Global South countries are responsible for the debt crisis, highlighting systemic inequities and advocating for a human rights economy to prioritize obligations, in this interview.
24 Jun 2025
Is the solution hiding in plain sight? Political choices for a new economic model - with Jayati Ghosh
Economist Jayati Ghosh analyzes the flaws in current economic models, including the fixation on GDP and neglect of human rights, and proposes a human rights economy focused on dignity and sustainability in this interview.
17 Jun 2025
Why is our economic system failing the 2030 Agenda? -with Volker Türk
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk discusses aligning economies with human rights to achieve the 2030 Agenda, advocating for structural reforms to promote equality and sustainability in this interview episode.
13 Jun 2025
What if economies worked for all?
This podcast episode introduces the concept of aligning economic policies with human rights to foster equitable and sustainable societies, addressing global challenges like inequality and climate change.
Who has been a guest on Economies that work - for all
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Mariana Mazzucato
Kate Raworth
Grieve Chelwa
Jayati Ghosh
Volker Türk
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