For many, the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, and associated Human Rights were dreamt up by politicians. In reality, they form the framework for working towards local democracy (also discussed in another lesson).
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Chronology of key international agreements that underpin the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and associated human rights,
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) – 1948
Summary: Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, the UDHR is a foundational document articulating the basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. It includes civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Citation: United Nations General Assembly, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948. Link: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) – 1979
Summary: CEDAW, adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is an international treaty to eliminate discrimination against women in all forms. It is often described as an international bill of rights for women. Citation: United Nations General Assembly, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 1979.Link: CEDAW
- Convention on the Rights of the Child – 1989
Summary: This convention, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989, sets out the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of children. Nearly all countries have ratified it, which is a key instrument in protecting children’s rights. Citation: United Nations General Assembly, Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989. Link: Convention on the Rights of the Child
- UN Declaration on the Right to Development – 1986
Summary: Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1986, this declaration recognizes development as an inalienable human right, linking the right to development with the realization of other human rights. Citation: United Nations General Assembly, Declaration on the Right to Development, 1986. Link: Declaration on the Right to Development
- Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action – 1993
Summary: The Vienna Declaration, adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993, reaffirms the commitment of the international community to human rights and the indivisibility of all human rights. Citation: United Nations General Assembly, Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, 1993. Link: Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
- International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), Cairo – 1994
Summary: The Cairo Conference emphasized the link between population, development, and individual well-being, focusing on reproductive health and rights, women’s empowerment, and gender equality. Citation: United Nations, International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, 1994. Link: ICPD Programme of Action
- Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development – 1995
Summary: The World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen, resulted in a declaration that committed to eradicating poverty, promoting full employment, and fostering social integration. Citation: United Nations, Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development, 1995. Link: Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development
- Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – 1995
Summary: Adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is a comprehensive policy agenda for achieving gender equality and empowering women. Citation: United Nations, Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 1995. Link: Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
- Rome Declaration on World Food Security – 1996
Summary: Adopted at the World Food Summit, this declaration commits to eradicating hunger and ensuring food security for all, recognizing the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger. Citation: FAO, Rome Declaration on World Food Security, 1996. Link: Rome Declaration on World Food Security
- Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development (Dublin Principles) – 1992
Summary: The Dublin Statement, emerging from the International Conference on Water and the Environment, sets out four guiding principles for water management, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach. Citation: International Conference on Water and the Environment, Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development, 1992. Link: Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development
- UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – 1992
Summary: The UNFCCC, adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, is the key international treaty to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. Citation: United Nations, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1992. Link: UNFCCC
- Millennium Declaration – 2000
Summary: The Millennium Declaration, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2000, set out the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which aimed to address key global challenges such as poverty, education, and health by 2015. Citation: United Nations General Assembly, Millennium Declaration, 2000. Link: Millennium Declaration
- Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development – 2002
Summary: Adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, this declaration reaffirms the global commitment to sustainable development and highlights the integration of economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Citation: United Nations, Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development, 2002. Link: Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development
- General Comment No. 12: The Right to Adequate Food – 1999
Summary: Issued by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, this comment clarifies the content of the right to adequate food as stipulated in the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Citation: UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, General Comment No. 12, 1999. Link: General Comment No. 12
- General Comment No. 15: The Right to Water – 2003
Summary: This comment by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights elaborates on the right to water, recognizing it as fundamental for living a life in dignity. Citation: UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, General Comment No. 15, 2003. Link: General Comment No. 15
- Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS – 2001
Summary: Adopted at the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS, this declaration represents a global commitment to intensify efforts to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Citation: United Nations General Assembly, Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, 2001. Link: Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS
- Rio+20: The Future We Want – 2012
Summary: The outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) reaffirms international commitment to sustainable development and launches the SDG development process. Citation: United Nations, The Future We Want, 2012. Link: The Future We Want
- The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – 2015
Summary: Adopted by all UN Member States, the 2030 Agenda outlines 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. Citation: United Nations General Assembly, Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 2015. Link: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development