Understanding the Human Rights-Based Approach and the United Nations System.

A recent study explores the lessons learned by UN agencies in the implementation of the human rights-based approach to development cooperation, and reveals both common constraints and common solutions. Constraints shared by most agencies include a lack of political will at national level, resistance by governments for fear of another form of conditionality, lack of awareness of or understanding by UN staff and national partners.

The author, Andre Frankovits, underlines good practices, and suggests recommendations that are specific to UNESCO’s mandate. Frankovits highlights UNESCO's position to contribute to other agencies’ endeavors by clarifying for them further the nature and content of economic, social and, especially, cultural rights. >> Download the document (pdf)