Creating an enabling environment for UNCT: Human rights, development and democratic governance
Creating an enabling environment for UNCT: Human rights, development and democratic governance17
From the UNCT perspective, thematic entry points help to create an enabling environment for linking human rights with human development and democratic governance. As can be seen in the example below, UNCTs can work together with NHRIs to help institutions integrate human rights perspectives into areas that reinforce development and democratic governance.
- Human Rights Mainstreaming. Ensure that the UNCTs work with leadership of NHRIs to link human rights to development and governance concerns in areas like the ones above.
- UNDP support to NHRI and Central Planning body to conduct a dedicated rights-based training for staff to ensure that the principles of the HRBA are integrated, reflected and defined in the formulation of the country’s national development policies, plans and programmes.
- Integration of human rights in the CCA/UNDAF and CPAPs.
- Including NHRIs as key implementing Partners of UNDP to pursue Democratic Governance objectives
- Ensuring that NHRIs have the capacity to work with civil society and the general public, and in turn to provide venues and awareness so that these groups can provide pressure for NHRIs to be responsive and relevant.
- UNDP to work with NHRIs to conduct capacity assessment for the whole human rights infrastructure
- Planning and Programming
- UNCTs can support to national executive agencies in formulation of a National Human Rights Action Plan
Sample initiatives:
Environment: The UNCT Joint Programme on climate change and proposed integration of human rights.
Peace & Conflict Prevention: UNCT Joint Programme on Peace in southern part of the country to promote a culture of peace and respect for human rights.
Migration: ILO supported campaign for the ratification of the UN convention on the protection of the rights of migrant workers.
Gender: UNCT support to women’s network & national commission on women, in the monitoring of CEDAW.
Service Delivery: UNDP & UNICEF Joint Programme with NHRI to integrate human rights in the delivery of potable water to waterless districts
Access to Justice: UNICEF capacity building support to NHRI to enable them to handle child rights violations
Electoral & Political Reform: UNDP support to NHRI to assist disenfranchised voters especially the poor and disadvantaged sectors.
Corporate Social Responsibility: UNDP & ILO work with business sector to promote MDGs and Human Rights under the UN Global Compact
Source: Mr. Emmanuel Buendia, Team Leader, Governance UNDP. (Philippines).
17 Source: Mr. Emmanuel Buendia, Team Leader, Governance, UNDP. (Philippines)