Implementing human rights effectively
We support individuals and organisations in translating human rights values into concrete action, drawing on in-depth expertise and systemic approaches.
Our mission:
We are doing our part in the sustainable transformation of the world towards
"Equal dignity for all."
This is how we support you
You understand human rights
We provide you with the basic human rights vocabulary - in an accessible format
You will gain a sense of direction and structure
for dealing responsibly with an important yet complex topic
You will get tailor-made tools & instruments
You will find sustainable solutions
to your human rights challenges - which we’ll develop together with you
Where do human rights begin?
"In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighbourhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."
- Eleanor Roosevelt -
What are the challenges we are addressing?
Whether it’s a company, a public institution, or an NGO, human rights are now part of every organization’s sphere of responsibility. And with that come questions that may cause uncertainty or even paralyse—What exactly is expected of us? Where do we start? What risks are involved?
Compliance is necessary, but not sufficient. It helps meet the minimum legal requirements, but does not provide reliable guidance for action. It helps with reporting, but does not inspire. And so, in the long run, it is not sufficient for people and organizations that are aware of their social responsibility or are genuinely seeking sustainable solutions.
This is exactly where we come in. Drawing on our many years of experience, we bring a comprehensive approach and the greatest possible clarity to a topic that is often perceived as complex and, on top of that, morally charged. What we offer:
- a common language
- realistic process proposals
- practical tools
that really work. Our approach is guided by respect for our clients’ autonomy and by a dignity-based, appreciative way of interacting with them and with one another within the team.
The result?
Organisations that don't just know human rights, but "can do" them – and that talk about what they do and why they do it.
In which specific areas do we work?
Consulting
We support organizations and companies in shaping human rights-based change processes by providing technical expertise and process knowledge. Through a collaborative process, we translate human rights standards into manageable and effective steps for development.
Training and Teaching
Workshops and training sessions often mark the beginning of a professional engagement with human rights. We have extensive experience in designing and conducting training programs on human rights topics for a wide range of target groups. In addition, we are active in academic teaching and impart scholarly expertise in a practical manner.
Keynotes & Presentations
It is a central priority for us to highlight the role that human rights play in the peaceful resolution of social problems. In doing so, we focus on inspiration and mindset. We make human rights accessible and relatable by using clear, understandable language.
What clients say about our work
For over 17 years, the experts at Human Rights Consulting Vienna have supported OMV in establishing a robust system for implementing human rights within our company. Even as the legal framework has evolved, this system has proven to be a resilient foundation for necessary further developments.
This collaboration has also helped build internal expertise within the company—not only in terms of human rights knowledge, but also in terms of training capabilities and the development and implementation of tools and processes for human rights due diligence.
Walter Suntinger has played a pioneering role in shaping the Austrian police’s understanding of human rights. Since the late 1990s, he has been conducting training sessions that explore the dual nature of the relationship between human rights and the police, and has been instrumental in developing the concept of “the police as human rights protection”: while the police do limit human rights, their primary role is that of protecting human rights among private individuals.
His training concepts and materials continue to form the basis of human rights training within the Austrian police force to this day. What distinguishes him is his ability to translate complex issues into simple models and visual representations, as well as his combination of profound legal knowledge with interdisciplinary approaches that truly resonate in practice.