By Elena Kerr and Leen Shoura
On Thursday the 14th of November we attended an engagement seminar on behalf of the UNHS Human Rights team, hosted by the Poverty Alliance “Drawing a Line Under Poverty: Taking a human rights-based approach to the Minimum Income Guarantee”. The seminar consisted of an introductory presentation of the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) from Peter Kelly, the Chief Executive for Poverty Alliance, before emerging themes and recommendations presentation from the Expert Group Report from Dave Hawkey, Senior Research Fellow at IPPR Scotland and member of the Expert Group. The presentations discussed how poverty is a human rights issue, and provided insight to improvements which can be made for financial security. As different human rights intersect with issues of poverty, it was emphasised to work towards ensuring that everyone in Scotland live with dignity, with reductions in costs of essentials and access to housing. For people’s needs to be met there is a requirement for recognition of unpaid work, accessible shifts, and fair sustainable work opportunities. In consideration of children and children’s rights, it was also discussed the importance of education and development of skills, increase of the Scottish Child Payment as well as a reform of the conditionality.
The following presentation was about how to take a human-rights based approach to policy making and releasing our social and economic rights by the Participation and Policy Officer for Scottish Human Rights Commission, Oonagh Brown. This presentation gave insight to how the process of taking a human rights based approach looks like and more specifically how it will look like regarding the MIG. The speaker discussed the importance of participation in terms of people being involved in decisions made on their rights, accountability, non-discrimination, and equality. She highlighted how poverty is both a cause and consequence of human rights violations, and the importance of empowerment by enhancing understanding and awareness of people’s rights. Taking a human rights based approach also involves integrating other human rights standards in consideration of for example disabilities, and also by having clear and defined targets with evidence on how and who this will benefit.
After the presentations there were engaging, facilitated table discussions addressing questions of the MIG and a MIG Commission in the context of human rights and civil society engagement. In our table we had insightful discussions where we talked about awareness of human rights, and complexities of a MIG Commission regarding intersecting inequalities within poverty. We discussed the importance of education and opportunities in terms of realising and being aware of one’s social and economic rights. Our table discussion also involved issues of access to housing, and understanding how interconnected the different basic human rights are with issues of poverty. Following the facilitated table discussions, main take-aways and conversations were shared with the room from each table which provided diverse and engaging points. Overall, this was an important and insightful seminar which promoted awareness and gave room for suggestions and engagement amongst civil society organisations.
The Poverty Alliance has also written their own report. To read their report, click below.
Comments