The Committee devotes regularly one day of its session to a general discussion of a particular right or of a particular aspect of the Covenant. The purpose is threefold: such a general discussion assists the Committee in developing in greater depth its understanding of the relevant issues; it enables the Committee to encourage inputs into its work from all interested parties; and helps the Committee to lay the basis for a future general comment.

Past discussions have focused on the issues in the following table. Click on the summary records of the meetings to follow the discussion.

Days of general discussion held by the CESCR

Title	Year	Summary Records
General discussion on land and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights	2019	E/C.12/2019/SR.51 E/C.12/2019/SR.52
The right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications and other provisions of article 15 on the relationship between science and economic, social and cultural rights	2018
State Obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Context of Business Activities This draft is posted here for information only	2017
The Right to just and favourable conditions of work (art. 7) E \| F \| S	2015	E/C.12/2015/SR.44
The right to sexual and reproductive health (arts. 10 & 12)	2010	E/C.12/2010/SR.49 E/C.12/2010/SR.50
Non-discrimination and economic, social and cultural rights (art. 2, §2)	2008	E/C.12/2008/SR.48
The right to take part in cultural life (art. 15, §1(a)	2008	E/C.12/2008/SR.17 E/C.12/2008/SR.18
The right to social security (art. 9)	2006	E/C.12/2006/SR.21 E/C.12/2006/SR.22
The right to work (art. 6)	2003	E/C.12/2003/SR.50 E/C.12/2003/SR.51
Equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights (art. 3)	2002	E/C.12/2002/SR.19 E/C.12/2002/SR.20
International consultation on economic, social and cultural rights in development activities of international institutions, organized in cooperation with the High Council for International Cooperation (France)	2001	E/C.12/2001/SR.22
The right of everyone to benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author (art. 15 §1 (c))	2000	E/C.12/2000/SR.76 E/C.12/2000/SR.77
The right to education (arts. 13 & 14)	1998	E/C.12/1998/SR.49 E/C.12/1998/SR.50
Globalization and its impact on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights	1998	E/C.12/1998/SR.20 E/C.12/1998/SR.21
The normative content of the right to food	1997	E/C.12/1997/SR.46 E/C.12/1997/SR.47
A draft optional protocol to the Covenant	1996 1995	E/C.12/1995/SR.50 E/C.12/1996/SR.19 E/C.12/1996/SR.20 E/C.12/1996/SR.47 E/C.12/1996/SR.48 E/C.12/1995/SR.50
The interpretation and practical application of the obligations incumbent on States parties	1995	E/C.12/1995/SR.21 E/C.12/1995/SR.22
Human rights education and public information activities	1994	E/C.12/1994/SR.48 E/C.12/1994/SR.49
The role of social safety nets	1994	10th session
The right to health (art. 12)	1993	E/C.12/1993/SR.41 E/C.12/1993/SR.42
The right of the ageing and elderly	1993	E/C.12/1993/SR.12
The right to take part in cultural life (art. 15 1 (a))	1992	E/C.12/1992/SR.17 E/C.12/1992/SR.18
Economic and social indicators	1991	6th session
The right to housing	1990	4th session
The right to food	1989	3rd session