USING MODULE 3 IN A TRAINING PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS

GO TO SECTION I - MODULE 3

This module should help trainees understand/clarify for themselves:

• the six sections of the ICESCR;
• related standards and interpretative documents; and
• the principal supervisory mechanism for the Covenant-the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR).

Suggested Methods

• Lecture presentation: The trainer can make a lecture presentation based on the contents provided in the manual.  In the presentation it is important to introduce the articles of the ICESCR and related instruments and standards. 
• Small group activity: In addition to a lecture presentation, a trainer could introduce a group activity that involves the participants in making a chart of ESC standards by pro­viding them with texts of various treaties and instruments. 

• As a first step, the participants should be provided with texts of the ICESCR, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the CEDAW, the CRC and relevant ILO standards.  In addition, participants could be asked to include relevant provisions from their national constitutions.  Where neces­sary, the relevant regional instruments should also be provided for making the chart on ESC standards.

• In the second step, participants, working in small groups and using these texts, should identify relevant standards on different economic, social and cultural entitlements.  For example, one group would make a chart of all existing standards on the right to food.  Another group would make a chart on the right to education.

• In the third step, each group should present its chart to all the participants and explain the available standards and the scope of the respective right.

• Finally, the trainer or facilitator should sum up and if necessary elaborate on existing standards on different rights. 

Video presentation: The IHRIP video on the Committee on Economic, Social and Cul­tural Rights (CESCR) entitled Out of the Shadows could be used for introducing the CESCR, the supervisory mechanism of the ICESCR.