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“Economies that work for all”: A podcast series on the Human Rights Economy

18 June 2025

Garment workers in Bangladesh.
© AFP

Can human rights foster economies that promote equitable and sustainable societies? A Human Rights Economy does precisely that, by putting people and the planet at the centre of all economic decisions, with the goal of leaving no one behind.

With a rise in extreme poverty, widening inequalities, a worsening climate emergency, and over half the world’s poorest countries spending more on paying off their debt than on health or education, it is clear that the current economic system is failing to deliver for people and the planet.

“Economies that work for all,” a podcast series organized by UN Human Rights and the UN System Staff College - Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development, looks into how economies and human rights can work hand in hand and unlock progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

Structured in six episodes, “Economies that work for all” will discuss the concept of a Human Rights Economy through conversations with guests that include UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk and five prominent economists who have dedicated their lives to advancing economic thinking and approaches that promote more just and sustainable societies, namely: Mariana Mazzucato, Jayati Ghosh, Kate Raworth, Grieve Chelwa, and Epsy Campbell

“For too long, we’ve treated human rights as disconnected from economic thinking. It’s time to set the record straight: Economists, policymakers and human rights advocates should speak the same language,” said Türk.

“Human rights are a practical toolbox for justice, dignity, and building economies that serve people and the planet,” he added.

In this first episode, Türk talks about how aligning economies with human rights is essential for improving our economic systems and achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Other episodes will delve into topics such as inclusive care and support economies, the role of public development banks in advancing a Human Rights Economy, the urgency of reforming an outdated international financial architecture, how the current debt architecture hinders Global South countries’ ability to drive progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, and the connection between human rights and sustainable development.

Listen to “Economies that work for all.”

In this video, Türk explains what a human rights economy is all about.