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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Helvetica">Working for Human Rights and Justice:
Ten Recommendations for Civil Society from Civil Society</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><br><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Helvetica"><b><span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times"><a href="https://www.unitededge.net/single-post/Top-Recommendations-for-Civil-Society-from-Civil-Society"><span style="color:blue">https://www.unitededge.net/single-post/Top-Recommendations-for-Civil-Society-from-Civil-Society</span></a><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times">Daniel Bevan, United
Edge, </span><i><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times">February 2018</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><br><i><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times"></span></i><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:18pt;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times">How can we develop and improve our work to lead to more
tangible and permanent positive changes for society?<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times">Creating
a better future is seen as:<span></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-bottom:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times">A future in
which civil society is playing a leading role in striving for social and
environmental justice, rather than propping up a broken system.<span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times">A future in
which corporations, governments and NGOs are held to account for their
actions and responsibilities to people and the environment.<span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times">A future in
which the people most affected by injustice are the same people who are
making decisions to address and prevent it.<span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times">A future in
which innovation, learning and evidence are at the heart of the way we
cultivate more holistic, people-led solutions to the problems facing us
all.<span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times">A future in
which individuals are empowered to think critically and act in line with
their beliefs and the best interest of others and the planet.</span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times"><br></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times">Here
are the top ten recommendations for civil society arrived at in discussions
with public interest civil society organizations in Asia. … enjoy! (And act!)</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><br><b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times"></span></b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Times"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15pt;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">1.
Integrity: Practice what you preach<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.4pt;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">Whether you work for a development or humanitarian agency, a
charity, a community-based organisation, or you’re simply working on issues
you’re passionate about, integrity is the key. </span></b><span style="font-family:Times">While the UN
continues to develop programmes and campaigns on gender equality around the
world, for example, <u><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/may/09/secret-aid-worker-why-dont-we-practise-what-we-preach-about-gender-inequality"><span style="color:blue">only one in five senior staff members within the
organisation are women</span></a></u>. Our own organisations must lead by
example in the way we champion the rights of our staff, clients and partners.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">Through strong
policy and practice, we need to address wider issues and systemic problems such
as over-consumption, climate change, the environment, hierarchy and women’s
rights in the workplace and beyond. Even as individuals working in social and
environmental justice, we must cultivate the courage to ask questions, reflect
on our impact and take <u><a href="http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/takeaction/"><span style="color:blue">tangible action</span></a></u> in our everyday lives to work
towards a better world.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><br><span style="font-family:Times"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15pt;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">2.
Capacity: Invest in people<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">Organisations,
networks and movements working on human rights, the environment and justice
cannot succeed in their work without <u><a href="https://www.devex.com/news/3-essential-qualities-for-doing-aid-work-in-disaster-situations-84795"><span style="color:blue">skilled</span></a></u>, confident and knowledgeable staff
who are aware of key issues and approaches in social change. </span></b><span style="font-family:Times">You wouldn’t
want to have surgery from a doctor with only a basic understanding of human
anatomy. In the same way, those working in humanitarian, development or social
work are dealing with people’s lives and should have a solid grounding in human
rights principles and instruments, social and cultural systems that affect
people and the planet, and international and national laws and accountability
mechanisms.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">Every person
should be trained in evidence-based decision making and best practice in
monitoring and evaluation, participatory methodology, gender, inclusion and
safeguarding. They should also be supported to recognize and understand power
and privilege in their <u><a href="https://wagingnonviolence.org/feature/8-skills-of-a-well-trained-activist/"><span style="color:blue">everyday lives</span></a></u>. Building internal capacity
and encouraging professional development not only improves our work, it also
makes us more accountable and helps to create the sort of leadership and
innovation needed to affect change for the world’s most vulnerable communities
and ecosystems.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><br><span style="font-family:Times"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15pt;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">3.
Collaboration: Work together for effectiveness<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">People working
in social change all share the same goals. If we didn’t, then we’d definitely
have a long way still to go! </span></b><span style="font-family:Times">All around the world, different actors
for social change are fighting for the same funds. We all hope to gain the best
reputation, stand above the rest, be the leaders that the world needs. On a
community level NGOs are fighting over opportunities to work with certain
groups of people or in certain locations, and each social change player is
dedicated to building the most productive relationships with both governments
and donor institutions.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">The sheer
amount of time that goes into competing with others is <u><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jul/20/change-or-die-aid-charities-told-to-stop-competing-for-funds-or-face-extinction"><span style="color:blue">staggering</span></a></u>. If civil society is to succeed in
creating lasting change, we must be prepared to put the work before the
rewards. We must <u><a href="https://startnetwork.org/news-and-blogs/collaborative-advantage-why-working-together-marriage"><span style="color:blue">work together</span></a></u> through thick and thin –
supporting advocacy initiatives or campaigns that already exist, sharing
knowledge and data, coordinating our plans and developing shared research. Only
then can we become effective enough to create change. We can be far more than
the sum of our parts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><br><span style="font-family:Times"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15pt;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">4.
Accountability: Become critical friends with the government<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">States are the
principal duty bearers for human rights. Although we all have a moral
obligation to act, they have a <u><a href="http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/InternationalLaw.aspx"><span style="color:blue">legal responsibility</span></a></u> for ensuring that every
citizen is able to enjoy all of their rights. </span></b><span style="font-family:Times">What we often
forget is that governments are made up of people, and in order for the state to
be accountable for human and environmental responsibilities, the individuals
who make up governments must fully understand these responsibilities and how to
address them.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">Civil society
must invest in building the capacity and interest of governments while
supporting them to engage with the groups most affected by each issue. We need
to support transparency and initiatives that make the state more accountable to
its citizens. It is time to strengthen anti-corruption policies while <u><a href="https://mobilisationlab.org/resources/10-ways-people-power-can-change-the-world/"><span style="color:blue">working together</span></a></u> to tackle corruption on a
national level, advocate and model greater transparency, and support
initiatives to strengthen rule of law and the impartiality of the judiciary –
all factors that are essential for lasting change. Building <u><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/may/24/humanitarian-development-agencies-collaboration-urgent-collaborating"><span style="color:blue">strong working relationships</span></a></u> while remaining
true to the principles of justice helps us to be ‘critical friends’ who will
support state actors in their mission while holding them to account for their
responsibilities.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><br><span style="font-family:Times"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15pt;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">5.
Participation: Hand over decision-making to those most affected<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">Those working
in social change talk a lot about participation – so much so that the true
meaning of this buzzword has all but disappeared. </span></b><span style="font-family:Times">The idea of
participation does not mean simply consulting with communities, having youth
trustees or getting local people involved in project activities. Participation
is all about decisions being made by those most affected by those decisions. It
means identifying and enabling the people who are most affected and,
importantly, it means <u><a href="https://charter4change.org/"><span style="color:blue">sharing power</span></a></u>.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">It cannot be
the place of donors to decide what our work should focus on. We have a
responsibility to advocate and support the leadership of local people and local
civil society in decision-making about programme and policy priorities, and we
must ensure that the <u><a href="http://www.developmentinaction.org/development-how-to-not-do-participatory-development/"><span style="color:blue">communities and individuals</span></a></u> most affected by
the issues are leading decision-making throughout the project cycle – from
needs assessment and project design to monitoring, evaluation and ongoing
management. We have been talking about participation for years. Now is the time
to put it into practice in everything we do.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><br><span style="font-family:Times"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15pt;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">6.
Power: Address the underlying system<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">When we see
the same injustices happen again and again, we need to ask ourselves whether
they are actually the results of something deeper – a broken system. </span></b><span style="font-family:Times">Through our
work, we often tackle massive injustices, but unless we start to address the <u><a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/3041841/4-things-you-probably-know-about-poverty-that-bill-and-melinda-gates-dont"><span style="color:blue">underlying systemic issues</span></a></u>, these injustices
will continue to happen. Economies that favour the rich over the poor, cultures
that favour men over women, governments that favour those in power over those
in need: these are all examples of broken systems that continue to cultivate
injustice.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">As civil
society we need to develop a clear understanding of underlying systemic issues
that need to be addressed in order to achieve social justice and seek out the
most effective ways of solving society’s problems without contributing to
broken systems. We also have to look at how <u><a href="https://vimeo.com/109863354"><span style="color:blue">our own system</span></a></u>
– whether humanitarian, environmental, community development or human rights –
is fundamentally flawed and create a viable alternative. Change will only
happen when we are cultivating systems of justice and tacking systems of
privilege and power.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><br><span style="font-family:Times"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15pt;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">7.
Innovation: Seek out alternative models for change<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">Ironically,
the social ‘change’ sector is extremely reluctant to change! </span></b><span style="font-family:Times">Due diligence
requirements from donors, a skeptical public and bulky bureaucracies mean that
true innovation is infrequent and happens within the confines of the ‘way
things have always been done’. The fact that something has always been done in
a particular way, of course, says nothing about whether that way is the best
way. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">We need to <u><a href="https://www.devex.com/news/are-innovation-labs-delivering-on-their-promise-89045"><span style="color:blue">challenge </span></a></u>our assumptions about everything we
do and actively seek out better models for our work that take a more holistic
approach to social change – addressing not only one key issue but making sure
that our models also challenge power structures, ensure true participation and
address multiple rights. We need to pool our evidence, work with others from
outside of the sector and pilot <u><a href="http://www.parecon.org/"><span style="color:blue">new approaches</span></a></u>. This way, we can ensure we
are being effective at true social change.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><br><span style="font-family:Times"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15pt;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">8.
Learning: Use evidence to improve work and be more accountable<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">We talk a lot
about impact in our line of work. But what exactly do we mean by it and how,
precisely, can we measure it?</span></b><span style="font-family:Times"> People often say that it’s almost
impossible to measure the true impact of our work. This is probably one of the
main reasons that we have such poor <u><a href="https://www.alnap.org/blogs/the-power-of-humanitarian-evidence"><span style="color:blue">monitoring and evaluation mechanisms</span></a></u> in
place. However, any decision we make in our programmes should be based on some
sort of evidence that demonstrates what is needed. Decision making without
evidence is both futile and potentially dangerous.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">We need
stronger monitoring and evaluation systems, improved capacity in this area and
better guidance. These systems are possible but require time, financial
investment and commitment from all main actors. Donors, for example, should be
prioritizing learning over contractual compliance, and we need to be better at
sharing our data, lessons and actions with others – creating a more transparent
sector and adding to a global movement for <u><a href="http://odimpact.org/developingeconomies.html"><span style="color:blue">open
data</span></a></u>. Even more importantly, we should ensure that data analysis
and decision-making are happening on the ground by those affected by our
projects, making us more accountable to those that matter most – the
communities and individuals we hope to support for them to empower themselves.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><br><span style="font-family:Times"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15pt;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">9.
Business: Tackle the private sector to affect social change<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">As
organisations and individuals who address social and environmental justice,
it’s important to remember where injustices arise and who are the key actors.</span></b><span style="font-family:Times"> Communities,
governments and NGOs regularly work together to tackle certain issues but one
massively influential group we often overlook is the private sector. Companies
and private interests often wield incredible power over governments, resources
and policy, and their <u><a href="http://rightnow.org.au/opinion-3/human-rights-obligations-for-the-private-sector/"><span style="color:blue">impact on human rights</span></a></u> and the environment
can be catastrophic.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">We must
directly address human rights violations and the negative environmental impact
from businesses in our work if we are to address the root cases of so many of
the world’s problems. We also need to support the cultivation of <u><a href="https://www.bcorporation.net/"><span style="color:blue">new models</span></a></u>
for business. At the same time, we have to ensure our corporate partnerships
and procurement policies are aligned to stringent environmental and human
rights criteria – otherwise we become a part of the problem.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15pt;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">10.
Education: Ensure everyone knows their rights<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><b><span style="font-family:Times">The first step
in ensuring that people are able to enjoy their rights is making sure they know
exactly what their rights are. </span></b><span style="font-family:Times">This is a little more complicated than
it first sounds since there are international human rights that are not recognized
by the law, although there may be established standards even when legal rights
are missing. One thing is clear though – no one can try to claim their rights
effectively if they don’t <u><a href="https://www.amnesty.org.uk/what-are-human-rights"><span style="color:blue">know what their rights are</span></a></u>. Knowledge is power.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">All people in
all our programmes should be supported to learn about their rights in ways that
are most appropriate and useful to them. We should support governments to
better understand human rights and how to mainstream human rights in their
services and priorities. Importantly, we must support <u><a href="https://lindaraftree.com/2011/06/03/local-youth-led-advocacy-matters/"><span style="color:blue">communities and individuals</span></a></u> to advocate for
their rights so that we are simply facilitators in the relationship between
duty bearer and claim holder.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria"><span> </span></p>
<br></div>