Human rights based approach to development cooperation

Cluster responsible: Konstantinos Tararas

The failure of development paradigms applied throughout the 80’s and 90’s sparkled efforts within the UN and civil society circles to seek other avenues to transform development into a more human-centered process. Alternative approaches drew increasingly upon the corpus of international human rights law and the corresponding principles and standards. These were underpinned by the recognition that human rights constituted a more solid reference for programming, both conceptually and operationally.

The UN Statement of Common Understanding*, endorsed by the UNDG in 2003, embodied the consensus among UN agencies on the core elements of the human rights-based approach (HRBA) to development cooperation. By spelling out a consistent and coherent definition on HRBA, it laid the groundwork for the further harmonization of development work across all UN agencies, programmes and funds, and for the promotion of interagency synergies at the country level.

Since 2003, there has been considerable progress in the integration of HRBA in development. In the UN, this was largely due to the elaboration and systematic application of a common methodology within the framework of the UN common country programming processes (i.e. CCAs/UNDAFs, One UN Programmes).

Yet despite the rich experience and knowledge accumulated, there remains a gap between theory and practice. Many of the difficulties encountered relate to the complexities of the diverse policy contexts and national circumstances, while others are endemic in the institutional settings of the various development actors.

Departing from a discussion on the underlying reasons for the genesis of HRBA, the course will recall the fundamental human rights principles and standards relevant within the context of HRBA. It will further present the core elements of the UN methodology as applied in all phases of the programming process (situation analysis, planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation). It will explore the conceptual and operational complementarities and tensions with other programming frameworks, such as gender mainstreaming, as well as with the international development agenda as captured in common objectives like the MDGs. It will also offer an insight on experiences and lessons learned from the practice of major civil society actors and conclude with a discussion on common obstacles and challenges and possible ways to circumvent these.

Course objectives

The general objective of the course is to promote among the participants a better understanding of the content and practical implications of HRBA. More specifically, it will aim to:

• Familiarize participants with the core elements of HRBA
• Increase their understanding on the added value of HRBA
• Raise awareness of common obstacles and challenges
• Enable participants to apply the HRBA methodology in all phases of the programming process

Programme Human rights based approach to development cooperation: