UNDP and the Human Rights-based Approach to Programming; Enhanced attention to Minorities in Development United Nations Development Programme

1.All programmes of development cooperation, policies and technical assistance should further the realisation of human rights as laid down in the UDHR and other international human rights instruments.  Human rights standards contained in, and principles derived from, the UDHR and other international human rights instruments guide all development cooperation and programming in all sectors and all phases of the programming process and development cooperation; 3.Programmes of development cooperation contribute to the development of the capacities of ‘duty-bearers’ to meet their obligations and of ‘rights-holders’ to claim their rights The UN Common Understanding

Implications for UN Agencies Agencies need to understand and internalise the values and principles of the international bill of rights A human rights-sensitive organisational structure needs to be developed Internal human rights capacities need to be strengthened Organisational human rights policies, directives and guidelines need to be developed and adopted Programmes and advocacy strategies must be formulated, implemented, monitored and evaluated

The HURIST-path since ‘99 National Level Country OfficesUNDP staff Policy Guidance and Programming

Human Rights-based Programme Review Checklist for UNDP Staff Country Context Excluded and Vulnerable Groups Stakeholder Capacity Programme and Project process (Conduct) Country Programme and Project Outcome (Results)

Programme Review Checklist Excluded and Vulnerable Groups Which groups are the most disadvantaged? How are vulnerability and poverty in the country defined? How does UNDP define vulnerability and poverty in the country? Are tools and indicators to identify excluded groups sufficiently disaggregated? How does the overall Country Programme address exclusion and disadvantage? How do specific projects do so? Does the UNDP Country Office adequately reflect the diversity of the country?

Minorities in Development One of three areas as identified by UNDP colleagues in need of enhanced attention Cooperation with the Minority Rights Group International A first draft for UNDP was prepared in September 2003 The Regional HDR on Roma in Central and Eastern Europe, The draft prepared by MRG, and the HDR 2004 on Cultural Liberty in Today’s World are guiding our next steps.

Some of the Recommendations received Initiate study on Minorities and the achievement of the MDGs. Mainstream minority rights issues in Early Warning Report methodology Capacity Development of UNDP staff to deal with minorities and minority rights; development of a checklist Enhance minority related Poverty Diagnosis (HDI for minorities) Build a UNDP internal database on examples of best practice in engaging minorities in development and governance at all levels

Next Steps Learn from other key agencies, notably OSCE, research institutions and NGOs. Organise informal consultations on UNDP draft Pilot test assumptions, findings and recommendations through practical application Complete UNDP Policy Guidance Note (2005)