Rights and Humanity will continue to take a pro-active lead in identifying emerging issues, developing consensus on cutting-edge solutions and piloting innovative models of implementation.

Programme Aim
To prompt a global paradigm shift towards human rights and responsibilities and to demonstrate how this framework can be applied in order to create a just and sustainable future for humanity.

In a global first, we are undertaking a-five year programme to develop a series of “how to tool kits” for governments, UN agencies and other development actors on how to get the right to water into the glass, the right to healthcare into communities, women’s rights into women’s empowerment.

Programme Activities 2008-2012

(1) Prompting a Paradigm Shift

• Host annual meetings of our Global Strategy Group to identify emerging global issues and advocate for adoption of the human rights and responsibilities paradigm

• Advocate globally through international and national policy advice, conferences, broadcasts, websites and publications

• Host multi-faith, multi-cultural events and retreats to develop a global consensus on responsibilities and a common understanding of human rights, particularly Islamic/ Western

• Establish an expert group on human rights and the environment to develop integrated strategies and amplify the voice of indigenous people in this regard

• Research and analysis of priority issues, identifying root causes of challenges and strategies for action e.g. for ensuring access to water and a responsible approach to climate change

• Contribute our legal and practical expertise to further the development of international standards in the light of actual human need by participating in UN human rights bodies and other international meetings, e.g. the Human Rights Council and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

• Host a series of round table discussions to build consensus for solutions, bringing together UN, governments, private sector and NGOs

• Host an Annual Rights and Humanity Global Leaders Congress to demonstrate application of the human rights and responsibilities paradigm and inspire, inform and empower public, private and civil society stakeholders

• Launch a Global e-Community as an ongoing platform for advocacy and information exchange.

• Strengthened responses to controversial issues within multi-cultural and multi-faith societies through a more profound analysis of the interface between human rights and responsibilities.

Working with national and local government and civil society, we are undertaking a portfolio of activities in three countries within different political contexts – South Africa, Jordan and Guatemala. This will enable comparison and contrast of implementation, and identification of good practices of potential global application and those unique to specific situations.

We are also strengthening the capacity of NGOs to implement a human rights approach to development, with an initial focus on Uganda, Mozambique and Palestine.

Our activities include:

• Analysis of the practical steps that need to be taken and by whom throughout the chain of authority from central government to service delivery

• Development of new implementation models working top down with governmental officials and bottom up with civil society and community partners, providing training and developing tools for measuring progress

• Implementation of innovative community empowerment initiatives e.g. Community Action Plans for Human Rights, innovative models for sustainable community income generation and skills training to amplify the voice of poor people through participatory video, and capacity building to enable members to claim their rights and hold public servants accountable

• Advocacy and consultations with Governmental policy-makers to facilitate transparent channels of communication, participation and accountability

• Education in human rights and responsibilities, undertaking training as requested for local government officials, public service providers, NGOs and community-based organisations

• Facilitation of access to basic needs and advice on income generation bringing in partners and encouraging other actors to play their role in service delivery

• Preparation of good practice guideline, ‘how to’ tool kits and training materials for governments, UN agencies, NGOs and communities globally, drawing on experience gained

• Expansion of our Human Rights and Development Forum to a global network through an on-line forum for policy makers and practitioners from government, donor agencies, NGOs and communities facilitating information and experience sharing, identification of good practice and lessons learnt and joint analysis of emerging issues.

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