“Scott journeys from the slums of a hundred cities to presidential palaces, bearing witness to the horrors of forced eviction, conflict and climate displacement alongside the birth of new countries and the hard fought achievements of housing rights activists and the UN human rights community. His story is a powerful testament to a life well-spent in search of justice, dignity and peace. It proves that even in our darkest times, when international solidarity and the rule of law falter, the power of our shared humanity and a common future can prevail.” -Aromar Revi Vice Chancellor, IIHS University Bengaluru, India “Leckie’s boundless enthusiasm and love of humanity shines through—at the same time he breathes life into the abstract idea of a human right to housing.” -Andrew Clapham Professor of International Law, Geneva Graduate Institute Author, War Scott Leckie is the real deal—a combination of fierce advocate for justice for the most oppressed in our society and a laid back late-model hippie. In between his work to single-handedly build out the international structure to protect housing rights, and protect millions of people from eviction, he drops tales of his amazing adventures finding Deadheads, building networks and sparking joy. We’re lucky that Scott came along and accomplished so much in what he accurately describes as that little window of time when the governments of the world could be pushed toward justice using the often-obscure goings on in Geneva. I hope this book helps inspire the next generation of human rights activists to push even further. -Cindy Cohn Executive Director, Electronic Frontier Foundation San Francisco, United States “Scott Leckie's new book - part memoir, part indictment of the global community's failure to house the poorest on the planet should be titled: 'Renegade: One Man's Quest to House the World.' And I told him so. But, just as his long and storied career unfolds within the pages of this book, so does a sense of quiet modesty that finds its way even into the title. HOME takes us on a multi-decade, Panglossian journey on an attempt to alter the very nature of how we view the un-housed in the 21st Century. And though the larger effort on a global scale has thus far failed, there are enough concrete victories illustrated over the course of Leckie's career to give us hope for a better world. Read at risk of being inspired and simultaneously ashamed that we haven't yet done enough for those seeking secure housing on this one planet of ours.” -Skye Fitzgerald Filmmaker, 2x Academy® Award nominee Portland, Oregon “Scott Leckie’s work has continually inspired countless advocates dedicated to advancing housing, land, and property rights. The strength and clarity that define his scholarship do not arise from academic rigor and professional expertise alone; they are forged through sustained engagement with those who have lost their “home”—and with it, their sense of belonging and dignity. Only those who truly meet the gaze of people in such pain—who look beyond loss to the human right at stake—can summon the conviction required to inspire others to believe in that right as well. This book stands as another cornerstone in that enduring effort, reaffirming that the right to housing is a fundamental pillar of human dignity and justice. Thank you for inspiring me!!” -Rana Arnouk Mitri Human Rights Lawyer Beirut, Lebanon “The book HOME: A Life in Pursuit of the Human Right to Adequate Housing for Everyone, Everywhere by Scott Leckie is an inspiring reflection on the global struggle for housing justice. As a long-standing friend of our works in Bangladesh, Scott has consistently stood beside climate displaced people and vulnerable communities. This book beautifully captures his dedication and reminds us that safe and dignified housing is a basic human right for all. We deeply appreciate his continued solidarity and advocacy. This work will motivate many people and organizations to keep working for housing rights and climate justice.” -Dr. Md. Arifur Rahman Founder and Chief Executive, Yong Power in Social Action (YPSA), Chittagong, Bangladesh "Scott Leckie has spent five decades in the world's most difficult places—slums and war zones, climate disasters and occupied territories—fighting for one deceptively simple idea: that everyone deserves a home. HOME is his story of that pursuit, told with the humor, candor, and hard-won wisdom of someone who learned that changing the world requires audacity and persistence." -Reed Brody Author, To Catch a Dictator Barcelona, Spain “This intriguing tome reminded me of Scott’s comprehensive understanding of the United Nations and its purpose. Scott guided my delegation from the jungle through the corridors of the UN, teaching us diplomacy, protocols and introducing us to relevant personalities in the administration and other delegations. His contribution to achieving the vital UN resolutions that led to a lasting peace on Bougainville should not be underestimated. A true champion of human rights.” Mike Forster Representative to the United Nations - Bougainville Interim Government; Conflict Resolution Manager - Bougainville Interim Provincial Government and Personal Attaché to President Kabui – Bougainville Autonomous Government. “Scott Leckie’s autobiography could not be more timely. The right to housing is the most striking example of the negative impact of global neoliberal economic policies on human rights in general, and economic, social and cultural rights in particular. Scott’s life as an advocate for the right to housing is a shining example for future human rights and housing rights defenders.” -Manfred Nowak Professor of International Law and Human Rights Vienna, Austria/Venice, Italy “I appreciate the title HOME for all that a ‘home’ entails and requires in the broadest sense. The amount of humans on the planet without a home is one more condemnation of how our global inequality and injustice systems operate inside borders and between Nation States. Since I met Scott in 1986, I have never not known of him working, writing, and supporting the struggle for homes for all. This book takes the reader on parts of Scott’s life journey working to achieve this. An important takeaway is how this work and struggle play out in the global and regional human rights systems we humans—via our very complicated (to put it politely) Nation State system—have created. An equally, if not more important takeaway is when these human rights systems do not succeed (more often than not for reasons outside their control, and “above their pay grade” in our global inequality and injustice systems), Scott takes the reader back to grassroots struggle and the dignity and strength of people across the planet, no matter how daunting the obstacles. Scott tells this story his of life journey and the struggle for a HOME for all, abiding always by his credo: Get it done but keep it fun.” -Grahame Russell RightsAction Toronto, Canada “Home is an inspirational account of what passion, principled commitment and intellectual courage can achieve. Scott’s work has transformed countless lives and left a profound imprint on the United Nations human rights system itself, shaping its standards and practice on housing, land, and property rights. Through rigorous research, tireless strategic advocacy and litigation, and visionary normative drafting, he helped move economic, social and cultural rights from the margins to the centre of international responses to displacement, urbanization, and post-conflict recovery. His book captures not only a life of remarkable impact, but the enduring force of ideas translated into action.” -Khaled Hassine Legal Advisor, Secretariat of the United Nations Sousse, Tunisia “HOME beautifully chronicles Scott Leckie’s extraordinary journey but even its vivid pages fall short of capturing the true depth of his decades-long commitment to building a better world. This book stands as a testament to new generations: reject materialism and radicalism, and instead find the courage to be brutally honest with yourself and then channel that inner strength into making life better for others.” -Pablo Rueda Co-author of One Earth, One Politics: Building Our Shared Path Toward World Citizenship Punta del Este, Uruguay “I first heard of Scott long ago, in what now feels like the “golden era” of peace support operations—before Brexit, before Trump, before COVID-19, and before Ukraine—when I was searching for restitution solutions for Roma families in Mitrovica, northern Kosovo. It was there that I came to understand the power of bringing together housing, land, and property (HLP) rights to respond to urgent needs and to protect those most vulnerable people who had endured both structural injustice and direct violence. Years later, as I began launching an HLP rights programme in the hopeful Myanmar of 2015, I reached out to him with little expectation of a reply. Since then, I have had the privilege of working alongside him to advance the HLP rights of vulnerable communities and minorities in Myanmar, persevering through the 2021 coup and the many hardships that followed. Scott is the kind of person who does not bend to the harsh winds of history. He endures, persists, and continues the work when circumstances would discourage most. Hope, after all, is a form of resistance. In these troubled times, he embodies a quiet determination that refuses to abandon the possibility of a more just and brighter future. Home is the story that tells it best. Gracias, amigo—¡hasta la victoria siempre!” -José Arraiza HLP Rights Advocate Madrid, Spain “With over four decades of “good trouble” under his belt (and hopefully many more years of good trouble to come), Scott Leckie shares his life lessons in his new memoir, Home. Scott tells great stories from his eventful life that reflect his unparalleled passion for and commitment to the human right to housing. His tales from throughout the globe are also filled with fun and adventure--lots of it. And they tell of the deep human connections he has made wherever he has travelled. For Scott, there is no “us and them” as he pursues housing rights for everyone, everywhere.” -Andrew Scherer Professor of Law and Policy Director, Impact Center for Public Interest Law New York Law School New York, United States “It's been my pleasure to read this, and my honor to have travelled parts of this journey alongside Scott as my colleague, collaborator and friend. And what a journey (so far)! Five decades in the making. Driven by his curiosity, fuelled by his passion for humanity, surpassing his numerous milestone achievements with audacious humour and righteous conviction, and a mind fully open to parsing the lessons punctuated throughout this memoir, Scott's narrative reminds us all of the roles we could play as good troublemakers.” -Dan Lewis West Coast International Vancouver, Canada “Scott Leckie has travelled the world promoting the human rights of fellow humans who lack shelter and protection. His personal journey and stories are full of humanity, achievements and setbacks, good humour, and the connection we all share. A fun read about how to get things done, while having a blast along the way.” -Brian Gorlick Ex-UN Official & Lecturer, Refugee Law Initiative, University of London Stockholm, Sweden “The author once schooled me in Ken Wilber, keeping faith with rainbow rooms and mountain air while I muttered about enforcement clauses and airports and concrete everywhere. I wanted proof. He showed me the land maps of Palestine. Meanwhile the grandees of “international law” polished their phrases as power vaulted the railing and made off with the silver. We have lived through the great inversion. Charters glowing, bombs falling, billionaires carving up the commons like a Sunday roast. And still the ordinary punter works ragged for a door that locks and a bed. This book calls that possession out. The world is not the private estate of the well-lawyered and the heavily armed. It is not vacant land for the loudest claimant. It is stubbornly held in common. There is home for us all. It holds us. And if that sounds unruly, good. There is no country but earth.” -Michael Morehead Lawyer Sorrento, Australia, Earth