6.4.3 Delivering as One: Strategies for Unified UN Support
The Resident Coordinator system is the entry point for country requests for NHRIs and more broadly, it depends on collegiality and participation from all parts of the UN system, whether or not they have a country presence. The CCA/UNDAF process provides an important opportunity for better coordination, in part to improve familiarity with the HRBA and to become better aware of the importance of NHRIs as a catalyst for improving human rights and HRBA.
The UNDAF is the most appropriate platform for coordinating UN activities to support a NHRI, as well as to coordinate other donors and organizations. However, there may be other strategies needed, if there is no UNDAF yet, or where opportunities present themselves outside the parameters of a given country plan, despite good planning.
The following case study from Malaysia provides an example of creative thinking to develop a coherent and consistent approach to UN support by the UNCT. Key strategies include the creation of a UNCT Theme Group, the development of a Development and Human Rights plan, social and funding mapping and links to Gender work plans:
Case Study: Malaysia and SUHAKAM: UNCT Engagement
Overall context (2009):
UNDP Malaysia has no United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and funding is through NEX execution. There is no direct support to NGOs.
UNCT: UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR, and WHO Areas of UNDP focus are:
- Poverty, Gender, Energy, Environment, HIV/AIDS
- Governance: One Initiative on Governance (2003-2007) – Capacity Building on Anti-Corruption
- CPD: No mention of Governance (2008-2012)
Strategic Directions (2009-2012)
- Global Economic and Financial Crisis
- Socio-Economic Challenges and Existing Inequalities
- Environmental Management and National Energy Security
- Gender Empowerment and Good Governance
- South-South Cooperation Initiatives for Development
With no substantive support for engagement with SUHAKAM, the NHRI, the following steps were taken to provide a coherent and consistent platform within the UNCT:
Establishment of UNCT Theme Group on Human Rights and Development
One Coherent Face to NHRI via Resident Coordinator – Joint Meeting of UNCT Heads with NHRI (June 2009).
Initiatives to ensure UN Unified Approach
- Mapping Exercise of support of Agencies to NHRI
- Mapping and identification of relevant Community Service Organizations (CSOs)
- Sharing of Proposals Received and Activities for 2009
- Development of a UNCT Workplan on Human rights and Development
- Link to UNCT Gender Empowerment Workplan
- Agenda on UNCT Meeting
Technical Support: BDP, RCB, OHCHR (Bangkok) and Regional Institution (Asia Pacific Forum)
Coordination with Donors: European Union, Embassies
Universal Periodic Review: Follow up at UNCT, as well as with CSOs and government.-
- Based on information provided by: Mr. James Chacko, Assistant Resident Representative (Programme), UNDP Malaysia. 2009.