Some key international documents that assist in ensuring that all people have equal access to their human rights, and significance for social enterprises
| Document | How social enterprises can positively enhance access to rights | How the activities of social enterprises might harm access |
|---|---|---|
| United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) | Social enterprises can enhance the rights of children by providing education and child welfare initiatives. They try to conduct ethical business models and community engagement, and create environments conducive to the healthy development of children, empower children and contribute to the realization of the rights and well-being of children. | A social enterprise that conducts projects for children may inadvertently cause negative physical and psychological harm if it does not employ adequately trained professional staff. |
| United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (1992) | The rights of persons belonging to minorities are crucial given the diversity within societies. International agreements safeguard these rights, aiming to protect minority cultures, languages and identities. Upholding these rights fosters inclusive societies, promotes diversity, and prevents discrimination based on minority status. | A social enterprise may inadvertently harm minorities by not considering their unique needs or by perpetuating a lack of cultural sensitivity. For instance, if an enterprise’s projects lack inclusivity, it can contribute to the marginalization of minority communities and reinforce existing disparities. |
| United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2007) | Social enterprises enhance the lives of people with disabilities by fostering inclusive workplaces, providing skill development, and creating accessible and inclusive products and services. These efforts empower individuals with disabilities, promote equal opportunities, remove societal barriers, and contribute to the full realization of their rights and potential. | A social enterprise that builds new schools can harm access to human rights if it does not take into account issues such as accessibility ramps and toilets. |
| United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) | Social enterprises try to positively impact the rights of Indigenous peoples by respecting cultural heritage, promoting economic empowerment and fostering self-determination. They seek to conduct fair partnerships and community-led initiatives, and contribute to the preservation of Indigenous identities, territories and traditions, supporting the realization of their rights and aspirations. | Social enterprises should respect cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples and should seek free, prior, and informed consent before any project starts. However, a social enterprise working with Indigenous peoples might inadvertently undermine their rights by implementing development projects without having conducted adequate community engagement. |
| United Nations Global Compact on Refugees (2018) | Social enterprises advance the right to refugees by offering employment, skill development, and community support. They facilitate integration and empower refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity. Social enterprises contribute to the protection of the rights of refugees and foster resilience in the face of displacement and adversity. | A refugee-focused social enterprise, while well-intentioned, might unintentionally compromise the rights of refugees by perpetuating dependency or by reinforcing stereotypes. For example, if the enterprise solely provides short-term solutions without addressing long-term integration challenges, it might hinder the self-sufficiency of refugees and contribute to dependency on donations rather than to empowerment. |
| Document | How social enterprises can positively enhance access to rights | How the activities of social enterprises might harm access |
|---|---|---|
| United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) | Social enterprises can enhance the rights of children by providing education and child welfare initiatives. They try to conduct ethical business models and community engagement, and create environments conducive to the healthy development of children, empower children and contribute to the realization of the rights and well-being of children. | A social enterprise that conducts projects for children may inadvertently cause negative physical and psychological harm if it does not employ adequately trained professional staff. |
| United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (1992) | The rights of persons belonging to minorities are crucial given the diversity within societies. International agreements safeguard these rights, aiming to protect minority cultures, languages and identities. Upholding these rights fosters inclusive societies, promotes diversity, and prevents discrimination based on minority status. | A social enterprise may inadvertently harm minorities by not considering their unique needs or by perpetuating a lack of cultural sensitivity. For instance, if an enterprise’s projects lack inclusivity, it can contribute to the marginalization of minority communities and reinforce existing disparities. |
| United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2007) | Social enterprises enhance the lives of people with disabilities by fostering inclusive workplaces, providing skill development, and creating accessible and inclusive products and services. These efforts empower individuals with disabilities, promote equal opportunities, remove societal barriers, and contribute to the full realization of their rights and potential. | A social enterprise that builds new schools can harm access to human rights if it does not take into account issues such as accessibility ramps and toilets. |
| United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) | Social enterprises try to positively impact the rights of Indigenous peoples by respecting cultural heritage, promoting economic empowerment and fostering self-determination. They seek to conduct fair partnerships and community-led initiatives, and contribute to the preservation of Indigenous identities, territories and traditions, supporting the realization of their rights and aspirations. | Social enterprises should respect cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples and should seek free, prior, and informed consent before any project starts. However, a social enterprise working with Indigenous peoples might inadvertently undermine their rights by implementing development projects without having conducted adequate community engagement. |
| United Nations Global Compact on Refugees (2018) | Social enterprises advance the right to refugees by offering employment, skill development, and community support. They facilitate integration and empower refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity. Social enterprises contribute to the protection of the rights of refugees and foster resilience in the face of displacement and adversity. | A refugee-focused social enterprise, while well-intentioned, might unintentionally compromise the rights of refugees by perpetuating dependency or by reinforcing stereotypes. For example, if the enterprise solely provides short-term solutions without addressing long-term integration challenges, it might hinder the self-sufficiency of refugees and contribute to dependency on donations rather than to empowerment. |
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