IngeniousPeoplesKnowledge

Training

From our experience in the field of international development and cooperation we have gained the insight that actors and stakeholders often lack information and knowledge of the international human rights system. They are often not trained in methodical approaches, namely HRBA, to integrate the universal human rights principles and standards in their programmes, projects and ultimately day-to-day work and dealings with right holders and duty bearers. It is essential that practitioners and affected communities receive basic training in applying a HRBA if more activities geared towards human development are to reflect the benefits of this approach.

We have developed a comprehensive HRBA training module that is adapted to suit each client’s context and circumstances and mostly held in the form of a workshop of a few days. The module’s duration and thematic focus can be altered to meet the individual needs of each client. It can also be conducted in the form of a seminar, workshop or conference.

So far (international) donors as well as non-governmental and community-based organizations in various fields of development and cooperation have mandated us with the conduct of workshops and other training initiatives. The basic training module can, however, also be adapted to meet training requirements of national and local government institutions. It can also be adapted thematically, for instance focussing on minorities and indigenous peoples’ issues.

Our training module has been designed in a user-friendly manner enabling participants to apply the tools and instruments, which are introduced to them in the course, in their day-to-day work. A number of group exercises allow the participants to practise the application of HRBA principles and methods in their own work situations rather than fictional case studies. The module consists of an introduction to the universal system of human rights treaties and principles; an in-depth study of the HRBA concept and methodology; the application of HRBA in development planning and programming; familiarisation with HRBA tools and instruments for assessing and strategizing; and concludes with monitoring and evaluation guidelines. A training manual including theory and methodology as well as numerous practical examples and group exercises is distributed to all participants.

Most recently, I-P-K conducted a HRBA workshop in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on “Introducing a Human Rights Based Approach in the Country Programme of Helvetas Sri Lanka”. Helvetas is a Swiss NGO for International Cooperation. The twenty participants consisted of collaborators of Helvetas Sri Lanka and its partner organisations.

Legal Opinions and Policy Analysis

HRBA is based on the international human rights framework, but it is mostly implemented through a variety of stakeholders on the national and local levels. One of the major challenges to applying HRBA in practice is to relate the universal principles enshrined in the international law system to the specific human rights contexts on the ground. Rights are often expressed in a language that is foreign to many people thereby deterring right holders and duty bearers from seeking their implementation. This is even more so when rights are laid down in legal instruments that form part of a complex international system of treaties; declarations; and general comments and recommendations of the various human rights treaty bodies.

I-P-K assists clients with sourcing and understanding relevant legal tools within the international human rights framework. We translate the legal instruments applicable to a specific case into practical guidelines and recommendations that can be implemented in our clients’ day-to-day work on the ground. This is done by carefully researching and compiling all relevant recent outputs of the international monitoring system regarding a specific (set of) human right(s) concerned and translating the result into action specific guidelines for advocacy and lobbying at the local level. Rather than providing an extensive legal analysis fulfilling the standards required for litigation or academic research, we aim to provide practitioners without a legal background with an application-friendly synthesis of international human rights standards and practice.

We also provide clients with policy analysis. I-P-K interprets international human rights practice and legislation in terms of its relevance and practical implications for practitioners and affected communities. For instance, UN Committee recommendations and special rapporteur reports on a specific topic concerning a specific country.

Through our legal opinions and policy analysis we intend to assist our clients in materialising the idea of “think global – act local” in their quest of realising human rights for all.

Consulting and Coaching

Adopting a human rights based approach is a process and not a once-off event. I-P-K assists its clients in walking this path of change on various institutional and programmatic levels by providing practical and down-to-earth solutions.

We consult and coach clients in any human rights related process. This could include the reformulation of an organisation’s mission statement to reflect its HRBA re-orientation and editing of other printed or electronic materials. Or it could entail assistance in integrating HRBA in an organisation’s strategic planning; programming; and project design. An example thereof would be assisting an organisation with implementing HRBA in its programmes by providing guidance in applying the universal human rights principles to their specific local context.

When pursuing a human rights based approach it is vitally important from a credibility point of view to do so in a comprehensive, coherent and consistent way. This has external and internal implications. The approach cannot be pursued in isolation within one project, but must be the guiding principle for an organisation’s activities over and above a specific project. Often times this will require re-training of staff and other involved project partners. It also implies that the organisational set-up as well as decision-making processes fulfil the standards of Participation; Accountability; Non-discrimination; Empowerment; and Linkage to rights vis-à-vis its own collaborators and all possible stakeholders such as partner organisations and beneficiaries. An illustration of this would be that an organisations’ budget drafting process be opened-up for participation and accessible to all parties that have an interest or should be in a position to hold the organisation accountable for fulfilling its mandate. A programme budget should thus be disclosed to board members and collaborators as well as partner organisations and beneficiaries.

I-P-K’s consulting and coaching activities are aimed at assisting organisations with initiating and conducting HRBA processes – there is no one-fits-all solution or quick results, but the process and its long-term results promise to be rewarding and beneficial for all involved stakeholders.