Socio Economic Rights Initiative (SERI) formerly called Shelter Rights Initiative is a non-governmental human rights and humanitarian organization registered in Nigeria as a company limited by guarantee. The organization has been engaged in human rights and remedial activities in Nigeria since September 1, 1995.

SERI is committed to the advancement of economic and social rights through promotion of the universal rights of every one to health, housing, living environment, education, food, adequate standard of living, equality, security and the rule of law. The organization solicits for and delivers relief and humanitarian material assistance in deserving cases and assists victims of internal displacements arising from forced evictions and other natural and man-made disasters, equally empower lawyers, judges, doctors, civil society partners, including legal and medical professionals, vulnerable and special populations, community residents and the general public by means of capacity building, workshops and trainings. Finally, they engage the inter-governmental human rights mechanisms of the United Nations treaty-bodies, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and regional institutions.

The thematic focal activities of SERI can, briefly, be summed up as Health, Housing, and Economic Governance.

Vision

Socio Economic Rights Initiative is driven by the VISION of a society where the economic, social and cultural rights of every individual are recognized and respected.

Mission

The MISSION of SERI is to be a leading agency for mainstreaming and institutionalizing the respect, protection and fulfillment of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Consistent with its perspective that poverty is largely the consequence of denial of rights, SERI’s ultimate goal is to contribute towards global poverty eradication and entrenchment of good governance through improved access to economic, social and cultural Rights.

Partners

• - SERI has observer status with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR).
• - It has worked with the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural (ESC) Rights, as well as the Commission on the Status of Women.
• - It is a member of Habitat International Coalition (HIC) and has working relationships with the
• > Geneva-based Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE)
• > Foodfirst Information and Action Network of Heidelberg, Germany (FIAN)
• > European Public Health Association
• > Global Health Council and International Union of Tenants.
• - It hosts the Housing Rights focal point of the African NGO Network on Human Settlements and the Environment.

SERI also works closely with:

• - The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund
• - United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

Besides these international affiliations, SERI is also a member of many national coalitions and networks. These include:

• - Social Watch (Nigeria)
• - Human Rights Agenda Network (HRAN)
• - South East Governance Network (SEGON)
• - Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
• - Trade Network Initiative (TNI)
• - Project Monitoring and Evaluation Association of Nigeria
• - Public Health Law Association of Nigeria.

SERI also promotes and coordinates the South East Budget Network (SEBN).