How can human rights contribute to the promotion of sustainable development and strengthen the livelihoods of poor people? This paper, published by the Overseas Development Institute, argues that a human rights perspective makes a difference by developing a more concrete understanding of social sustainability and by extension, sustainable development. It outlines a conceptual framework for the application of a human rights approach to strengthening sustainable development and livelihoods, which also serves as a useful guideline for practical implementation by donors.
Sustainable development seeks to address equity between present and future generations. By focusing on secure assets and livelihoods, a dynamic view is taken of individual well-being and the choices available to poor people. It also considers how poor people deploy capital assets in response to risks and opportunities. However, the concept of sustainable development requires a stronger analysis of power relations, institutions and politics. Human rights could provide a useful entry point for analysing the asymmetries in power and institutions that reinforce these power relations and emphasise state obligations, particularly in the area of economic, social and cultural rights.
The key elements of a conceptual framework for the application of a human rights approach to sustainable development and livelihoods include:
- At a normative level, the added-value derives from the global legitimacy of human rights law and international consensus on relevant principles including individual freedom, equality, empowerment, transparency and responsibility.
- At an analytical level, a human rights approach identifies how poor people’s claims are processed and reflected in the multiple structures of authority and control.
- An analytical agenda helps us understand the various mechanisms for realising rights through the legal system, the allocation of resources and administration of services.
- At an operational level, a human rights approach identifies entry points and areas of action for promoting sustainable livelihoods. This requires a coherent approach at global and regional inter-governmental levels, national policy dialogue and national and sub-national programme support.
- Human rights approaches aim to avoid the negative consequences of development by ensuring that it does not lead to destabilising levels of conflict, human insecurity or crime.
- They are concerned with enhancing the freedoms and capabilities of present and future generations, including strengthening state accountability and reinforcing state-citizen relationships.
- A human rights perspective creates a basis for positive change in public policy by highlighting the need for stronger and more equitable institutions. This also increases the capacity to cope with shocks.
The nexus between human rights, livelihoods and sustainable development provides improved understanding of the power dimensions of development. Donor agencies, policy makers and civil society should:
- Create adequate access to information and recourse to a fair regulator that is capable of assessing competing human rights claims.
- Enhance the capacity of individuals and organisations to articulate claims. Civil society organisations can assist by empowering social groups and reinforcing solidarity networks.
- Promote access to rights through the state, the market and civil society. States are the primary duty-bearers and should take steps to transform the norms and values of public institutions.
- Incorporate the human rights dimension into bilateral donor policies. Donors should leverage their position with partner agencies to promote initiatives that strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks to guarantee rights.
- Undertake further research on the gap between rhetoric and practical implementation, including the role of market-based freedoms and entitlements and the ability of the state to fulfil poor people’s rights to decent and adequate livelihoods.
- Share ‘lessons learned’ with other actors, such as the World Bank. This is vital due to the increasing partnership between the World Bank and international, national and civil society organisations at an operational level.
