In a world of interlocking crises, Jayati Ghosh finds an antidote to despair in the potential of popular mobilisation for a new eco-social contract.

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“A climate change campaign that promises first to satisfy human needs and security, – not insatiable ‘wants’ – would be in a position to more forcefully attack right-wing complacency on the threat posed by climate breakdown and ecological collapse.”

A very interesting article by Ann Pettifor, honouring Mike Davies and in favour of economic rights!

This report presents country-specific data on the job creation potential and gender equity implications of additional investments by percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and it highlights inspiring examples where trade unions are working to put comprehensive care systems in place.

Read the ITUC report

The effects of climate change on people’s daily lives threaten the full enjoyment of human rights. The Human Rights Council adopted two landmark resolutions recognising the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment (Resolution 48/13), and establishing the mandate for a Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change (Resolution 48/14). Nevertheless, a broader dialogue between the UNFCCC and the UN human rights architecture seems necessary to establish a coordinated and coherent response to climate change and its effects on human rights.

This research paper analyses the intersections of these two legal systems. It does so by identifying how the climate change negotiations and the human rights architecture can contribute to strengthening international cooperation. It also recognises the need for a more profound international debate on the linkages between human rights and climate change consistent with the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities included in the UNFCCC.

The working group of the Global Partnership on financing Universal Social Protection brought out some guidelines to be respected. They mainly point to:

• Emphasises the need for publicly organised, rights based social protection systems grounded in ILO standards
• Stresses the need for governments to assign greater priority for social protection financing in public budgets
• Outlines the need for strengthening progressive forms of taxation – including progressive income taxes, capital gains taxes, inheritance taxes, property taxes, and corporate taxes
• Underlines the need for increased and better coordinated international support for social protection financing, and calls for considering new mechanisms for international financing such as a Global Social Protection Fund
• Discusses the importance of extending debt relief

The work was coordinated by ITUC

Eurodad’s analysis of the recent autumn meetings of IMF and World Bank: on the institutions’ inability or unwillingness to deal with the difficult situation of to-day and on the need for systemic reform

World Bank and IMF failure to address the global polycrisis makes systemic reform even more urgent – Eurodad

This pamphlet argues that poverty and inequality are interlinked, both determined by how the products of
economic and social activity are shared.

Read the interesting paper by Stewart Lansley

On this international day against poverty, here a brand paper of Development Pathways!

“Universality, or the achievement of universal social protection, has been endorsed by the
international community and in the region as a key objective of social protection. Solidarity
and trust in public systems, including through universal social protection, will underpin the
advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, understanding often
remains unclear around what universality entails in terms of systems, schemes, combinations
of non-contributory and contributory benefits, and eligibility.”

Making public contracts for private firms conditional on collective agreements can help stem the falling labour share.

Read the article on Social Europe

To win power, progressive leaders must articulate a coherent economic policy, focusing not only on redistribution but also value creation.

Yet another confirmation of what Global Social Justice has been saying for years: social justice is about redistribution PLUS value creation.

Toward a progressive economic agenda – Mariana Mazzucato (socialeurope.eu)