CRIN - Child Rights Information Network
Rights–based programming is less about fixed rules and more about an
evolving set of practices that not only develop with experience but that
also have to be modified to suit different contexts. Seasoned practitioners
and commentators stress that “one size does not fit all”.
Nevertheless, there are some generally agreed principles of how to go
about rights–based programming. The UN document, Towards a Common Understanding, provides a useful indication of the essential
ingredients of doing rights–based programming. Apart from employing
good programming practices that you might expect to find in any kind of
development activity, the following are recommended as “necessary,
specific, and unique to a human rights-based approach”:
Identify the human rights claims of rights-holders and the corresponding
human rights obligations of duty-bearers, as well as the causes for non-
realisation of rights.
Assess the capacity of rights-holders to claim their rights, and of duty-
bearers to fulfil their obligations; develop strategies to build these
capacities.
Monitor and evaluate both outcomes and processes guided by human
rights standards and principles.
Ensure programming is informed by the recommendations of international
human rights bodies and mechanisms.
In this way, rights based approaches are not just a means to an end, but
the process of applying them constitutes the realisation of a person’s right
as well.
On a more practical note, here is an example of how rights-based
programming has been applied by Save the Children. The example is
oriented to work with children. However, the programming cycle, with some
modification, can be applied in many different circumstances. Other
manuals will take you through broadly similar steps.
You can download the full document here: Child Rights Programming: How to Apply Rights-Based Approaches in Programming or browse the
relevant pages covering The Programme Cycle
It should of course be remembered that agencies use different
approaches, and even within a single organisation, different programmes
may use different strategies (see Different approaches to rights-based
programming). Furthermore, all rights-based organisations are on a steep
learning curve.
Practitioners are therefore encouraged to be flexible, experiment, assess
impact and learn from experience and others. And finally, it’s important that
basic good quality programming skills (see Questions and Answers) are not
neglected as a result of rights-based programming.
Starting points:
There are many primers and training manuals in circulation. Although many
are organisation and/or sector specific, they can be adapted to specific
needs. Some of the most useful are listed on the guide pages on training.
Here are four to start with.
UNDP (Kathmandu) Rights Based Programming Primer
Promoting Rights-Based Approaches, Joaquim Theis.
You may wish to download a zipped (smaller file size, 0.8MB) version here.
Save the Children CRP Manual
CRC Implementation Handbook checklists for working with the Convention in rights-based programming
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