CHAPTER 5: NHRIS, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE specialized planning. NHRIs can use these targets in and work to support progressive implementation.13 However, MDG advocacy should always be accompanied by a strong articulation of the corresponding international human rights norms. the data series related to the selected indicators, as well as other background series intended to supplement the official indicators. This is done in close collaboration with agencies and organizations within and outside the United Nations system. Some initiatives of the OHCHR bear mention in this context: Since the periodic assessment of progress towards the MDGs started, the international statistical community has been concerned about the lack of adequate data to compile the required indicators in many parts of the developing world. At the same time, the monitoring requirements themselves have helped focus the attention on this shortcoming and raised awareness of the urgency to launch initiatives for statistical capacity building. 11 A Special Advisor on MDGs and Human Rights has prepared a paper on the relevance of human rights to the MDGs. 11 The human rights aspects of the MDGs have been underlined in both the report of the Millennium Project, Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals, and in the Secretary-General’s report to the General Assembly: In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all. (Please see the references section of this Chapter) One of the key recommendations of the Millennium Project is to strengthen MDG-based poverty reduction strategies that provide a framework for promoting human rights. It also aims to increase awareness of the links between human rights and the MDGs and to strengthen the capacity of the UN system at the country level to incorporate human rights concerns into the development issues which lie at the heart of the MDGs. 5.2.4 Millennium Development Goals Indicators To help track progress on the MDGs, a monitoring framework has been developed, and statistical experts have selected indicators to assess progress over the period from 1990 to 2015. An annual report to the United Nations General Assembly provides progress, based on data on the selected indicators, aggregated at global and regional levels. In 2007, the MDG monitoring framework was revised to include four new targets. Source: About the Millennium Development Goals Indicators UN It should be noted that the indicators project is a work in progress, and much remains to be done until all countries are able to produce a continuous flow of social and economic statistics needed to inform their development policies and track progress. Nonetheless, these indicators are an important baseline of information for NHRIs and for UNCTs working with them. 5.3 Development, NHRIs and Culture14 “Culture is one of the two or three most complex words in the English language. This is so partly because of its intricate historical development…but mainly because it has now come to be used for important concepts in several distinct intellectual disciplines and in several distinct and incompatible systems of thought.” 15 International instruments recognise culture as a human right and as a means through which people express their humanity and add meaning to their lives. Culture is also a powerful tool in promoting development as local cultures possess rich traditions, practices, and values that are protected by international instruments. United Nations Statistics Division coordinates the preparation of data analysis to assess progress made towards the MDGs and maintains the database containing “Internationally-agreed goals” (IAGS) relate not only to the MDGS but to other UN frameworks and the international human rights norms and standards. 12 Source: The Millennium Development Goals Report 2008. http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2008highlevel/pdf/newsroom/mdg%20reports/MDG_Report_2008_ENGLISH.pdf Accessed February 1 2009. 13 This section is adapted from Equality for Women: A Handbook for NHRIs on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Equitas (2008). 14 D. Ayton-Shenker, The Challenge of Human Rights and Cultural Diversity, online: (1995), UN Background Note <http://www.un.org/rights/dpi1627e.htm>. 15 89