With a new office in Bonn, launched on 6 February, UNRISD aims to create new interagency collaborations and strengthen research uptake linkages to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. We sat down after the launch event for a short interview with Isabell Kempf, the newly appointed Head of UNRISD’s Bonn Office, who told us about her vast experience with knowledge challenges at the United Nations, the role of research in the face of the current climate crisis, how science and action can work together, and much more.

UNRISD Podcasts

Interview with Isabell Kempf, Head of UNRISD Bonn Office

Based on analysis from his recent book "Plunder of the Commons: A Manifesto for Sharing Public Wealth", Guy Standing introduces a new appraisal of the commons and how much of it has been privatized, from land and state housing, health and benefit systems, to justice systems, schools, newspapers and even the air we breathe. He proposes a charter for a new form of commoning, of remembering, guarding and sharing that which belongs to us all, to slash inequality and soothe our current political instability.

Plunder of the Commons: A Manifesto for Sharing Public Wealth

The remarkable economic growth of sub-Saharan Africa in the first 15 years of the 21st century did not always go hand in hand with greater equality. While income inequality during the 2000s decreased in 17 countries, it went up in 12 countries. What were the determinants and consequences of these divergent trends?

Podcast: Income Inequality Trends in Sub-Saharan Africa: Explaining Divergence, Determinants and Consequences

In this seminar, Lucas Chancel presents new empirical research findings on global economic and environmental inequalities. He highlights the close link between social and environmental (in)justice, and discusses policy options that can address the unsustainability of economic inequality.

Podcast: Global Inequalities and Unsustainability - A Conversation with Lucas Chancel

Reducing inequality (SDG10) requires progressive and substantial shifts in fiscal policy and an essential equality-enhancing instrument with the potential to do three things: (1) raise necessary revenues for public spending which tackles vertical and horizontal inequalities; (2) stem market incentives for accumulation of income and wealth at the top; and (3) forge a credible fiscal compact between citizens and the state. But how can such progressive policies be implemented while those in power benefit from the status quo? Experts from the United Nations, the IMF, Oxfam and the research community discuss these and many more questions on fiscal policy and socioeconomic disparities, in the context of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the United Nations main platform to review progress and provide guidance and recommendations on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. → Welcome remarks 00:00:14 Luise Rürup, Director, FES New York → Opening remarks Ambassador Luis Bermúdez, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Uruguay Mr. Inge Herman Rydland, Special Envoy for the 2030 Agenda, Norway Ministry of Foreign Affairs → Panel Discussion Paul Ladd, Director, UNRISD Katja Hujo, Senior Research Coordinator, UNRISD ? Overcoming Inequalities in a Fractured World—the Politics of Transformative Change and Fiscal Policy Ricardo Fuentes-Nieva, Executive Director, Oxfam Mexico ? Grabbing the Spoils: Economic Inequality, Political Capture and the Decay of the Social Contract Shahra Razavi, Chief of Research and Data, UN Women ? Turning the Tide of Intersecting Inequalities: the Role of Family-Friendly Policies Dora Benedek, Deputy Division Chief, Fiscal Policy Department, IMF ? Fiscal Policy for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development Fernando Filgueira, Senior Researcher, CIPPEC (Argentina) and CIESU (Uruguay) ? Achievements and Challenges of an Egalitarian Growth Strategy: Tax, Social Policy and Wage Coordination Reforms During Uruguay’s Frente Grande Administrations This event was organized jointly with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) New York Office. Read the summary of the event http://www.unrisd.org/eb8 Visit the project page http://www.unrisd.org/overcominginequalities Get in touch with UNRISD and be part of our community https://twitter.com/unrisd

Podcast: Inequality and The 1%: Is a Transformative Fiscal Policy Possible?

Based on examples from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Jakarta, Indonesia, the speakers at this seminar discussed how issues of land rights and informality shape uneven vulnerability to climate change in coastal zones, and highlighted the need for more integrated and transformative approaches to adaptation.

Podcast: Transforming Adaptation to Climate Change in Coastal Cities

Podcast: We Want Equal Access! Austerity Politics vs. Feminist Activism

In the framework of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the United Nations main platform to review progress and provide guidance and recommendations on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UNRISD organized a side event on 17 July 2018 to present and discuss new research evidence and local government experience of Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE). For more information and resources on localizing SDGs, social economy and sustainable development, please visit: http://www.unrisd.org/sse-sdgs-seoul

Podcast: Localizing the SDGs through Social and Solidarity Economy for Sustainable Societies

What is needed to safeguard trans* people's rights? At this Side Event of the 38th Session of the Human Rights Council, policy makers, influencers and practitioners discussed good practices and lessons from policy formulation and implementation at the national level, the role of civil society, the impact of social research and the effects of the 2030 Agenda on human rights discourse, the rights of LGBTQI+ populations and policy change.

Podcast: Safeguarding Trans* People's Rights: Official Side Event at the 38th Session of the Human Rights Council

Since 2008, many countries in Europe have been hit by a series of crises—economic, political, migratory. According to Maria Maxi (Institute of Citizenship Studies, University of Geneva) even more intractable than these, and exacerbating them, is one caused by a profound lack of solidarity. In this podcast, she introduces a new research project and outlines its potential insights for fostering solidarity in and outside the European context.

06—Protecting Vulnerable Urban Groups in Contentious Times: The Role of SSE

Many would be sceptical at the idea of fashion brands as a strategy for helping mitigate the migratory crisis in Mediterranean Europe. Heidi Christ, Artisan Value Chain Expert at UNHCR, walks us through experiences that show that employment opportunities can be created by combining artisanal work, creative humanitarian programmes and the cultural richness that refugees bring with them.

05—Promoting Livelihoods: Creating Opportunities for Refugees through Artisanal Work

Most international migrants are migrant workers, many of whom find themselves in vulnerable situations, up against the risks and insecurity of the informal economy. Simel Esim (ILO) has investigated how cooperatives can help enable a decent work environment for migrant workers, hence opening pathways toward improved livelihoods.

04—Migration and Decent Work: The Role of Cooperatives in Social and Economic Integration

A robust body of evidence shows that Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) can foster the economic, social and cultural rights of individuals and communities. Ibrahim Said, UNRISD Research Analyst, argues that the emancipatory and developmental potential of SSE could make responses to humanitarian emergencies, such as Europe’s refugee crisis, empowering and transformative.

03—The Potential of Social and Solidarity Economy to Address Refugee and Migrant Precarity

Three things could better equip us to overcome refugee precarity, according to UNRISD Senior Research Coordinator Katja Hujo: (i) a clearer understanding of what we mean by "precarity" and “vulnerability” in the context of involuntary (forced) migration, (ii) moving from migration management to a rights-based approach to migration governance and (iii) unlocking the potential of the 2030 Agenda to help realize and harness the development potential of those who migrate.

02—A Rights-Based Approach to Migration Governance

Refugees and migrants face enormous threats and impediments to the enjoyment of their human rights. Ambassador Anna Korka from the Permanent Mission of Greece in Geneva tells us how recent legislative endeavours in Greece aim to create an environment that enables new types of economic activity, combat long-lasting socioeconomic problems—such as unemployment—and protect the fundamental human rights of vulnerable populations arriving in the country.

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UNRISD Podcasts

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