This research marks the end of an extremely intense, inspiring, vivid and turbulent period. I would like to go back 12 years, when this all started as I made the choice to study international law at Tilburg University. At the same time I was studying drums and mallets at the Conservatory in the same city. I gradually found my way through the University curriculum, and ran into the ear-splitting lectures of Mr Frank Vlemminx, PhD. While in this book it will become apparent that I do not always agree with his points of view, he most certainly inspired me to learn more about this wonderful field of expertise that is called human rights. Since we had a thing or two in common, not in the least the fact that Frank was not only a lawyer but also artistically active as a painter, he would later be my thesis supervisor. During an internship at Wageningen University and Research Centre, I became acquainted with Professor Bernd van der Meulen, who introduced me more specifically to one of the most violated rights in the world: the right to adequate food. After graduating, I found a job as lecturer at Fontys University of Applied Sciences. In the meantime I was composing a rock opera to finish my second study at the Conservatory: conducting. My employer gave me the opportunity to start a research project, and I became an external PhD student at the WUR, under the supervision of Bernd. I was now able to do all the things that I admired doing: teaching, playing music, and doing research. A perfect match for which I am ever grateful. Finalising this book marks the end of a period of approximately five years of conducting intense research. I cannot even begin to imagine how much I have learned from the whole exercise. Writing a PhD thesis is a very lonely experience. However, during this period, I was never truly alone. I therefore wish to thank many people from the bottom of my heart. First of all, of course Bernd, who never lost his patience in guiding me through the whole process. He has the rare gift of making a person feel encouraged, determined and self-assured about the research on the way back home, while feeling completely lost on arrival. Next to that all my colleagues at Fontys University, who were always very supportive and interested in my progress, and to the management of my department, which gave me the financial support and time necessary to complete this book.