On 4 and 5 September, Leiden Law School hosted a special conference that brought together around sixty participants from the Netherlands and abroad to discuss the future of economic, social, and cultural rights - rights that touch upon everyone's daily life: housing, education, healthcare, food, and social security.
The conference had a dual purpose: the launch of the new Working Group on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights within the Netherlands Network of Human Rights Research (NNHRR), and the start of the research project Evolving Rights, developed at Leiden University by Assistant Professor of Constitutional Law Luísa Pinto e Netto (with co-applicant Gert Jan Geertjes). Both initiatives aim to bring research and practice closer together and to place social rights firmly on the agenda, in the Netherlands and beyond.
International and national voices
The conference attracted a wide audience: researchers and PhD candidates from Colombia, Chile, the United States, India, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Germany came to Leiden, reflecting the global scope of the debate. At the same time, contributions from eight Dutch universities ensured strong national representation. Speakers included Professors Ingrid Leijten and Gijs Vonk, as well as Professors Ann Skelton, Janneke Gerards, and Yvonne Donders.
Among the keynote speakers were internationally renowned figures such as Professor Aoife Nolan, Chair of the European Committee of Social Rights of the Council of Europe; Professor Michaela Hailbronner, Co-Chair of the global academic network ICON-S; and experts from the United Nations. Leading academics from across the Netherlands also contributed.
Plenaries and panels
The keynote by Aoife Nolan opened the conference with a powerful message: social rights are not a luxury, but the backbone of a democratic state governed by the rule of law. Without access to education, healthcare, or affordable energy, freedom remains an empty promise.
Alongside the keynotes, the programme included four plenary sessions and fourteen panels with 46 speakers, many of whom circulated draft papers in advance. This led to in-depth discussions and a rare atmosphere of academic generosity, with participants actively engaging in each other's sessions, asking questions, giving feedback, and joining shared meals.
A message from Leiden
A central theme that emerged from all contributions was that social rights are not merely policy goals or political promises, but essential components of constitutional democracy. At a time of populism, heated electoral rhetoric, and growing distrust in government and institutions, democracy cannot be imagined without a material foundation of rights. The housing crisis, rising energy costs, and the Dutch childcare benefits scandal vividly illustrate how deeply social rights affect trust in the democratic rule of law.
The challenges ahead are substantial. Debates about constitutional anchoring or the role of courts are not enough; creative new approaches are needed - through governance, politics, international cooperation, and civic engagement. Realising social rights requires the combined efforts of legislatures, executives, and judiciaries, as well as universities and civil society organisations.
Leiden as bastion of freedom
The conference was made possible by Leiden University and the NNHRR, supported by a dedicated organising team. According to the organisers, the event exceeded all expectations: "Not even in our dreams had we imagined it would turn out so well. It was an unforgettable experience that leaves us eager for more."
The coming months will focus on building the network further, sharing research, and strengthening cooperation between academia and practice. With participants from around the globe, young and senior scholars side by side, and a shared conviction that social rights must be central to our democracies, Leiden once again showed itself to be a city of discovery and debate.
Collaboration and future directions
The conference was made possible by Leiden University and the NNHRR, supported by a dedicated organising team. According to the organisers, the event exceeded all expectations: "Not even in our dreams had we imagined it would turn out so well. It was an unforgettable experience that leaves us eager for more."
The coming months will focus on building the network further, sharing research, and strengthening cooperation between academia and practice. With participants from around the globe, young and senior scholars side by side, and a shared conviction that social rights must be central to our democracies, Leiden once again showed itself to be a city of discovery and debate.
The importance of starter grants
This conference and the start of the Evolving Rights project were made possible through a Starter Grant. Such grants are invaluable: they give early-career researchers the freedom to develop independent lines of inquiry, build new collaborations, and create international networks. By investing in young scholars, we not only strengthen academic careers but also enrich public debate with fresh perspectives and ideas. In this way, starter grants make a tangible contribution to a vibrant academic community that fulfils its role in society.
