Protecting the Human Rights of Future Generations – The Time for Intergenerational Justice is Now

Economic and political decision-making is increasingly driven by short-term thinking at the expense of the human rights of future generations. Yet momentum is building toward the recognition of the need for institutions and societies to place intergenerational equity at the heart of our policies. Many cultures and Indigenous Peoples have demonstrated in their customs, traditions, and laws that respect for the rights of future generations can be an effective compass to drive decision-making toward truly sustainable impacts. To avoid further endangering the ability of future generations to thrive, we must embrace the need for justice and equity both within this generation and across generations, learning from initiatives that have promoted these principles through practical steps. This presentation explores these issues with a focus on the newly released Maastricht Principles on the Rights of Future Generations, a landmark document that draws on six years of research and consultation with legal and human rights experts and movement leads from around the world.