Global Campus Policy Observatory

The Global Campus of Human Rights is glad to announce the publication of the GC Policy Briefs as part of the fourth edition of the Global Campus Policy Observatory (GCPO), a 'virtual hub' comprised of a team of a Coordinator and seven researchers for the production of a set of policy analyses to provide guidance and expert opinion in response to urgent human rights issues to a broad audience including decision makers, local governments, international and regional organisations and independent researchers.

This year the policy briefs of the GCPO have investigated the overarching issue of the connection between the environment and human rights with a primary focus on the rights of future generations and youth participation. A human rights perspective of the environment allows us to understand the influence the environment has on the enjoyment of our rights. Environment-related issues have always been an important matter of discussion in international as well as national level. This has been echoed in the General Comment 36 on Article 6 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which states that “environmental degradation, climate change and unsustainable development constitute some of the most pressing and serious threats to the ability of present and future generations to enjoy the right of life”. Principle 3 and 22 of the Rio Declaration takes account of the need of the future generation, making a point to include the youth of the world to mobilise global partnership to ensure a better future for all. From 1992 since the adoption of Rio Declaration to the present, the appeal to look out for the future generation has only increased with urgency evident by the attention garnered by Greta Thunberg with the youth climate mobilisation. While the prospect of global participation is sought with the urgency to address climate change for the future generation, the youth have taken the forefront to vocalise its perils. It would be an error not to account the perspectives of the youth while tackling the pressing issues of environment to human rights with urgency concerning policies and legal rules, after all the youth of today is going to lead the world tomorrow. To better understand the implication of climate change on human rights, the challenges and opportunities for youth mobilisation and action, the following policy briefs have been made available online on the Global Campus Open Knowledge Repository:

• Climate Justice and Human Rights, in a World in Climate Emergency by Zoi Aliozi. Global Campus Europe. http://doi.org/20.500.11825/2340
• Environment and Human Rights in Curriculum: Towards a Strong and Uniform Education Policy in South Asia by Visalaakshi Annamalai. Global Campus Asia-Pacific. http://doi.org/20.500.11825/2339
• ‘Burned by the Sun, Drowned by the Rain’: Enhancing Children’s Legal Protection Against Climate Change by Elise Daniaud. Global Campus Arab World. http://doi.org/20.500.11825/2338
• Climate Change and the Future Generation under the African Human Rights System: Fostering Pathways and Partnerships by Ademola Oluborode Jegede. Global Campus Africa. http://doi.org/20.500.11825/2337
• Planet over Profit? A Reality Check of Europe’s Aspirational Climate Policies by Tomáš Jungwirth. Global Campus South East Europe. http://doi.org/20.500.11825/2336
• Ecosystem Restoration as a Successful Way for Fighting Global Climate Changes by Marina Rakopyan. Global Campus Caucasus. http://doi.org/20.500.11825/2335
• Youth Activism and Climate Change in Latin America: Indigenous and Peasant Youth in Defence of their Human Rights and Territories by Juan Wahren. Global Campus Latin America-Caribbean. http://doi.org/20.500.11825/2334