From 9 September to 11 October 2024, the fifty-seventh session of the UN Human Rights Council concluded in Geneva with the adoption of various resolutions. SGI representatives contributed to the proceedings and discussions on resolutions focused on human rights education, youth, biodiversity and climate change.
The Council adopted a Resolution on the Plan of Action for the fifth phase of the World Programme on Human Rights Education, set to commence next year until 2029. This phase will focus on youth and children, linking human rights education to climate change, gender equality and digital rights.
Elisa Gazzotti, SGI's representative for human rights education, stated, "The adoption of this resolution is a crucial step towards ensuring that human rights education is implemented at national and local levels. It provides a comprehensive framework for developing educational programs that address contemporary challenges faced by young people."
Elisa Gazzotti of SGI, as Chair of the NGO Working Group on Human Rights Education and Learning, delivers an oral statement.
SGI representatives participated in various side events and negotiations throughout the session. They emphasized the importance of human rights education to ensure that human dignity is at the center of all endeavors that promote and protect human rights, contributing to realizing the culture of peace. In addition, together with Amnesty International and the UN Office for Human Rights, SGI presented the project titled “Changemakers: Stories of Young Human Rights Educators.” SGI also delivered a statement on behalf of the Working Group on Human Rights Education and Learning, which SGI co-chairs.
SGI, as part of the Geneva Human Rights Biodiversity and Land Task Force, also co-organized a side event highlighting the interconnections between human rights and biodiversity.
In a landmark move, the Council also adopted a new resolution on biodiversity and human rights, which aims to support States as they develop improved biodiversity policies using a human rights-based approach, with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Alexandra Goossens-Ishii (left), participates in a side event co-organized by SGI, as part of the Geneva Human Rights Biodiversity and Land Task Force.
Alexandra Goossens-Ishii, SGI's representative for environment, climate change and biodiversity, commented, "This new biodiversity resolution marks a significant milestone in integrating human rights considerations into environmental policies, and it represents a new important tool for implementing the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. It underscores the intrinsic link between human well-being and the health of our ecosystems."
Additionally, the Council renewed the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change for three years. This independent expert will continue to highlight the human rights implications of climate change.
As the international community grapples with complex challenges, the outcomes of this Human Rights Council session provided some tools for future action and collaboration.
