Meeting of ENNHRI Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Athens
The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) had the pleasure of hosting in Athens the two-day meeting of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) Working Group on 1–2 July 2026, at the GNCHR premises.
Chaired by GNCHR Scientific Officer Dr Katerina Charokopou, the meeting focused on the exchange of experiences and good practices among National Human Rights Institutions in promoting economic, social and cultural rights, while addressing contemporary challenges related to equality, social inclusion and the protection of people in vulnerable situations. Participants engaged in a meaningful discussion on gender equality, cultural rights and their various dimensions, with particular emphasis on their role as a foundation for equality and non-discrimination. Distinguished speakers and experts also explored issues relating to participation, poverty, homelessness, social inclusion and the protection of vulnerable groups.
On the first day, author, translator, journalist and co-founder of the WHEN organisation, Stella Kasdagli, delivered a presentation entitled “Gender Equality and Women’s Participation in Economic Life”. Alexandra Xanthaki, Professor of Law at Brunel University London and UN Special Rapporteur in the field of Cultural Rights, presented “The Cultural Rights Approach: From Access to Inclusive Participation”.
On the second day, Professor Alexandra Xanthaki presented “Discrimination Based on Poverty”, while Merel Brouwer, Legal Policy Advisοr at the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights, delivered the presentation “The (De)criminalisation of Life-Sustaining Activities for People Experiencing Homelessness, such as Sleeping in Public Spaces and Begging”.
The meeting wrapped up with an interactive discussion entitled “Leaving No One Behind – Human Dignity and Social Inclusion in Situations of Vulnerability”, moderated by Alexandra Karagianni, lawyer, human rights defender and Council of Europe expert on Roma rights, and Eleftheria Koumalatsou, sociologist and Coordinator of the Day Centre for People Experiencing Homelessness at the NGO KLIMAKA.
The two-day meeting ended with the handover to the new Co-Chairs of the ESCR WG, Dr Lê Phan-Warnke from the German Institute for Human Rights and Veerle Stroobants from the Belgian Anti-Poverty Service, in a spirit of continuity, cooperation and shared commitment to advancing economic, social and cultural rights.
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