What is the ?Rights-Based Approach? all about? Perspectives from International Development Agencies

This paper looks at the ?rights-based approach - (RBA) as used by multilateral institutions, bilateral agencies and international non-governmental organisations.

Why is human rights thinking now so closely linked to development work? What are the different approaches among development actors and what are the limitations and implications for development policy and practice? This paper looks at the ?rights-based approach - (RBA) as used by multilateral institutions, bilateral agencies and international non-governmental organisations. RBA reflects a shift in development thinking. People are no longer regarded as 'beneficiaries' but instead as individuals and groups who should be supported in identifying and claiming rights for themselves. This basic idea has been accepted in the rhetoric of development policy makers and agencies but applications vary. Some see human rights purely in their legal form while others underpin all of their development work with rights philosophy. Ultimately, the paper argues no matter which view is taken; the RBA must change the power relations between those working in development and those it is aimed at empowering.

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What is the ?Rights-Based Approach? all about? Perspectives from International Development Agencies