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After decades of de-regulation and privatisation policies around the world, private actors are playing increasing role in many sectors, from education and health, to water, food and housing. However, concerns that privatised systems are gravely threatening the realisation of human rights are rising. In the last years, dozens of human rights experts and bodies have rung the alarm bell, including four Special Rapporteurs who wrote reports on the topic. The issue is becoming all the more critical in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, high and rising inequalities, and the ecological emergency. More than ever, the current trends towards privatisation and the dismantling of public services appear to be untenable.

This is thus a crucial time to review the human rights concerns across sectors and discuss the alternatives to the dominant discourses. This event will for the first time bring together a range of current and former UN Special Rapporteurs who will explore how human can rights can serve to build a joint analysis of privatisation, and bring support to resilient, rights-aligned, gender inclusive public services and innovative approaches to realise the common good in a changing world.

It a unique opportunity to discuss one of the crucial issues of our times, across sectors and disciplines, and build the growing momentum for public services. It will take place online on 19 October at 14:00 Brussels time.

Panellists 

• Philip Alston, former UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
• Koumbou Boly Barry, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education
• Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, and former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food
• Leilani Farha, former UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context
• Léo Heller, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation

The event will be moderated by Magdalena Sepúlveda, former UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, and Executive Director of the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Other speakers are still to be confirmed.

Join the conversation on Twitter using the #TheFutureIsPublic hashtag.

This event is co-organised by ActionAid, The East African Centre for Human Rights (EACHRights), the European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad), the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR), the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER), Oxfam, the Society for International Development (SID), Public Services International (PSI), and the Translational Institute (TNI).

Register for this event via Zoom

This webinar is being organised with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Eurodad and its partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union