Concept Note Conference on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

European Economic and Social Committee

Specialised Section for External Relations

Follow-up Committee on the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)

CONCEPT NOTE

Conference on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights & the role of Civil Society

Date/Time 3 March 2014, 9 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Meeting room VM3, EESC Brussels

Working languages: DE, EN, ES and IT

Background and rationale One of the core tasks the EU has defined for itself in its relations with the world beyond its borders, is to promote and support democracy and human rights. The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) is one of the EU’s key instruments to fulfil this task.

The new EIDHR 2014-2020 puts strong emphasis on the role of (local) civil society organisations, not only when it comes to monitoring human rights situations in their countries, but also when it comes to helping to create an environment that is conducive to policy changes with regards to human rights. Its programming principles also reflect the Instrument's complementarity to the EUs geographical and thematic external instruments.

An important element, however, remains underexposed: the place and value of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCRs), alongside civil and political rights. The EESC therefore strongly recommends for ESCRs to be tied in with the EIDHR's programming priorities.

The EESC, as the institution that represents civil society actors, organises this conference in order to highlight the place, meaning and value of economic, social, cultural rights in the wider context of universal human rights.

Core messages The EU's human rights model is based on a set of core values such as democracy, equality between citizens, and respect of universal human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights (ESCRs). Notably, ESCRs such as the right to health, education and housing, are areas where instruments focused on human rights and development instruments meet, and complement each other. Civil society organisations, especially at grass roots level, are drivers of positive change regarding the respect for and implementation of human rights, including ESCRs. The fact that there is no ranking

EESC-2014-00866-00-00-TCD-TRA …/… - 2 - among universal human rights - ESCRs are just as important as political and civil rights - should be reflected in the political priorities of the EIDHR.

Objectives Its aim is to formulate recommendations concerning the formulation of priorities and their implementation in relevant EU policies and instruments, in order to better embed the ESCRs, and to point to clear complementarities between different fields of EU external policy, notably geographical and thematic development programmes and EIDHR actions.

Expected outcomes After the conference, the EIDHR Follow-up Committee expects to be able to formulate recommendations concerning the implementation in relevant EU policies and instruments, in order to better embed the ESCRs.

Set-up The conference is built around three thematic sessions:  I) The place and value of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the context of universal human rights  II) Reinforcing existing links between the EIDHR and EU development instruments with a focus on economic, social and cultural rights and the gender dimension;  III) The role of civil society and human rights activists in promoting democracy and the rule of law: the case of Russia.

With a view to encouraging debate, the speakers and panellists will be invited to make very concise interventions, and to raise stimulating topics that will a spark lively debate with the audience.

Speakers In each of the thematic fields, a key note speaker with expert knowledge of the thematic area is invited to address the audience. Panellists, all academics, politicians, EU officials, NGO representatives or practitioners, are asked to comment on the key note intervention from their perspective and experience.

Participants The conference's target audience consists of civil society organisations, human rights and development NGOs, EU officials, members of the European Parliament, think tanks, academics and other stakeholders. The conference aims to bring together about 80-100 participants.

Follow-up The conference's outcomes will be shared with a wide network of professionals, officials and practitioners in the in the field of EU external relations.

Contacts at EESC REX Section Else Boonstra, Administrator, [email protected], 02/546 8290 Maria Josefa Argüelles, Assistant, [email protected] 02/546 8369

EESC-2014-00866-00-00-TCD-TRA