Human Rights and the Cost of Living Crisis

As the cost of food, energy and other essential goods continues to rise, and real disposable incomes fall, we are estimated to witness the greatest shift in living standards in recent memory. This is a global crisis that will have the most severe impact on those already living in poverty. The United Nations Development Programme estimates that since 2021, 71 million people have already been pushed into poverty as a consequence of the increasing cost of living.

In bringing together a range of experts working on issues related to poverty, economic policy and human rights, this event will explore key questions, including:

• What are the human rights impacts of the cost of living crisis?
• How can human rights be used to inform and (re)calibrate national and international responses to the cost of living crisis?
• How can human rights standards, mechanisms and advocacy strategies be used to challenge the human rights harms caused by the crisis?

The presentations will be followed by a Q&A/discussion with event participants. Speakers will include:

• Meghna Abraham - Executive Director of the Center for Economic and Social Rights
• Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona - Executive Director of The Global Initiative for Economic and Social Rights / UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights (2008-2014)
• Aoife Nolan - Vice-President of the Council of Europe European Committee of Social Rights / School of Law, University of Nottingham
• Thamil Ananthavinayagan - School of Law, University of Nottingham

All welcome.