Human Rights Lunch Online: Introduction to interdisciplinary Human Rights Working Groups

Working Group: Due diligence for a just and sustainable transition?

This working group explores how human rights can remain central in the EU’s twin transition—green and digital—amid evolving sustainability regulations. It connects Lund University researchers working on EU law, supply chain due diligence, and the concept of a just transition to share insights and develop joint projects.

The focus is on human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) within EU frameworks such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and Forced Labor Regulation (EUFLR). We examine how these rules are implemented in global supply chains, their conflicting interpretations, and their impact on social and environmental sustainability.

The group addresses tensions between regulatory simplification, competitiveness, and justice, asking: Can the EU deliver a transition that is both sustainable and fair?

Working Group: Pedagogics of Teaching Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

This working group explores how to teach sensitive human rights topics effectively, focusing on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). SRHR education addresses core rights such as gender equality, bodily autonomy, and freedom from discrimination, yet teaching about sexuality, consent, and reproductive justice often meets cultural taboos and resistance. The group provides a platform for sharing experiences and developing strategies for respectful, inclusive dialogue.

Building on the project “Experiences, opinions and emotions in the classroom,” it responds to global backlash against SRHR issues like abortion, transgender rights, and HIV prevention. Bringing together expertise in pedagogy, social work, sexology, global health, and human rights, the group aims to ensure academic rigor and cultural sensitivity. It is relevant for educators, advocates, and policymakers committed to inclusive rights-based education.

Working Group: Cultural Rights and Poverty

Cultural rights are a vital yet often overlooked dimension of human rights, particularly in the context of poverty. The intersection of cultural rights and poverty is a critical area for investigation, especially as global efforts to combat poverty increasingly recognize the importance of dignity, agency, and cultural belonging.

The group’s main purpose is to support the UN Special Rapporteur on cultural rights by providing research and insights that will inform an upcoming report. This creates a direct link between academic work and global human rights practice, influencing policy frameworks that integrate cultural rights into development agendas.

More information about the working groups, as well as contact information, can be found here.