The human rights based approach : assessing implications on the work of development NGOs

Thumbnail Image
Date
2013
Authors
Helmstedt, Marie Engberg
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This thesis explores the Human Rights Based Approach and how it affects the work of development NGOs. It responds to the criticism of the approach, which questions the implications and sustainability of its implementation, suggesting that there is a gap between the HRBA in theory and the practice within development NGOs. The analysis is based on a constructivist theoretical framework, implying that the effects of the adoption of rights-based approaches are depending on the organisational translation of the approach. Through an empirical analysis of interviews with Danish development NGOs the thesis concludes that the Human Rights Based Approach has influenced the work of development NGOs in significant ways, resulting in increased legitimacy and sustainability of development work. Development NGOs are faced with several challenges in their use of the approach, and its future is highly dependent on a collective effort of human rights and development practitioners to find durable solutions to these.
Description
Second semester University: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Keywords
constructivism, development, human rights, NGOs
Citation