CHAPTER 5: NHRIS, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE 5.4 NHRIs, democratic governance and national development priorities The elements of what the development community calls “democratic governance” range from poverty alleviation to capacity development in the justice sector, to improving basic infrastructure and human services, to enhancing local decision-making. Democratic governance is an umbrella concept that frames many project documents and international development assistance programs. Democratic governance provides the ‘enabling environment’ for human rights. At the Millennium Summit of 2000, the world’s leaders resolved to “spare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for all internationally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development.” A consensus was reached which recognised that improving the quality of democratic institutions and processes, and managing the changing roles of the state and civil society in an increasingly globalised world must underpin national efforts to reduce poverty, sustain the environment, and promote human development. Source: UNDP. About the Democratic Governance Process FIGURE 2: HUMAN RIGHTS LINK WITH DEVELOPMENT generally includes a range of justice projects, along with projects to increase the capacity and effectiveness of the State (including NHRIs) and local leadership, as well as civil society. Meeting country-specific or general targets in relation to MDGs or other internationally-agreed goals is part of this process. It is important to strike a fine balance - in supporting NHRIs, UNCTs must not impose their own priorities onto NHRIs, yet should remind NHRIs of the broader normative framework within which they work (these include ratified international instruments, MDGs, etc.). One way of achieving this balance is through the strategic planning process. This has historically been an area where the UN (and UNDP and OHCHR in particular) have a good deal of working experience in supporting NHRIs. 5.4.1 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. 11 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. HUMAN RIGHTS HUMAN DEVELOPMENT DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE Source: Mr. Emmanuel Buendia, Team Leader, Governance UNDP. (Philippines). As part of their own democratic governance projects, governments need to ensure a “voice” for these groups when public policy is being developed. NHRIs must do the same in their own work. From a UN perspective, development programmes usually have a democratic governance component, which •• 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. 11 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. Source: Mr. Emmanuel Buendia, Team Leader, Governance, UNDP. (Philippines) 17 93