1. Summary for the use of UN Habitat staff
Understanding Human Rights in Cities - Training Workshop - SESSION 2 - CU on HRBA (DRAFT)
May 2015
UN Common Statement of Understanding on Human Rights Based Approach to Development Cooperation and Programming
Summary for the use of UN Habitat staff
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UN Habitat, Housing Unit, HSUB

2. Common Understanding on HRBA
The UN Statement of Common Understanding on Human Rights-Based Approaches to Development Cooperation and Programming (the Common Understanding) was adopted by the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) in 2003 with the aim to ensure that UN agencies, funds and programs apply a consistent Human Rights-Based Approach to common programming processes at global and regional levels.
“UN specialized agencies, programs and bodies responding to the call of the Secretary-General have repeatedly manifested their commitment to the mainstreaming of human rights in their work and have agreed in 2003 upon a common understanding concerning the content of a human rights-based approach (HRBA) to programming”.
(Common Understanding UNDG, 2003)
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3. Programmatic guidelines:
All programs of development co-operation, policies and technical assistance should further the realization of human rights as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments
Human rights standards contained in, and principles derived from, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments guide all development cooperation and programming in all sectors and in all phases of the programming process
Development cooperation contributes to the development of the capacities of ‘duty-bearers’ to meet their obligations and/or of ‘rights-holders’ to claim their rights.
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4. Programmatic Guidelines (cont.)
Assessment and analysis to identify the human rights claims of rights-holders and the corresponding human rights obligations of duty-bearers as well as the immediate, underlying, and structural causes of the non-realization of rights.
Programs monitor and evaluate both outcomes and processes are important, guided by human rights standards and principles and evaluated.
Programming is informed by the recommendations of international human rights bodies and mechanisms.
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5. Focus areas during implementation
People: recognized as key actors in their own development, rather than passive recipients of commodities and services and analysis includes ALL stakeholders
Participation: considered both a mean and a goal
Strategies: are empowering, not disempowering
Focus on marginalized, disadvantaged, and excluded groups
Development process is locally owned
Strategic partnerships are developed and sustained
Programs support accountability to all stakeholders
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