140072 SE VM1 / VM8 - Integrating human rights in the work of the United Nations (2018S)

The United Nations is the body which aims at promoting and encouraging respect for human rights for all as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948. However, the relationship between human rights and security, peace and development has never been clear in United Nations theory and practice. There is also limited reflection on civil, political and social rights in United Nations theory and practice.

The course will focus particularly on the following elements:
1. Theoretical aspects of human rights within the context of international human rights organizations
2. Process and methods of integrating human rights in the daily work of international organizations.
3. Tools used to integrate human rights
4. Processes of negotiation and implementation of human rights within the United Nations as a practical example for the connection between theory and practice.

The objectives of this course are:

1. Discuss the theoretical aspect of integrating human rights in development work.
Often human rights is a vague and cryptic concept which becomes difficult to implement and articulate. Even when human rights related work is carried out, reporting of this work is difficult as articulation for human rights work is quite complex. Through this course, students will gain knowledge on the scientific discourses on human rights work in development organizations. These theories have an impact on the interpretation of human rights integration and provides foundation for further learning about human rights.

2. Understand the practical dimensions of integrating human rights through processes and methods.
Practical aspect includes processes and methods for integration. The process consists of all aspects of technical cooperation programmes of international organizations. These process follow certain methods. Here the focus will be on the qualitative method of integrating human rights in international organizations. Further other methods such as focused group discussions with target groups, expert interviews with senior management and/or in-depth interviews with other staff and stakeholders will also be discussed. This would be especially important in the work of international organizations like the United Nations.

3. Apply the theory and praxis by developing and analyzing tools used to integrate human rights.
Three tools/methods in particular will be discussed - Results-Based Management, Human Rights Based Approach and Human Rights Risk Assessment. The analysis will provide the practical knowledge of HR mainstreaming in development agencies or funding agencies. Based on the critical discussion of existing tools, students will be guided to develop ideas on new, alternative tools.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Examine the theory of human rights as a fundament for rights-based approaches to development;
2. Identify what constitutes the methods and process of integrating human rights, be able to critically asses individual methods and tools;
3. Demonstrate a broad understanding on developing innovative methods to integrate human rights in developmental institutions;
4. Design tools and other innovating techniques to integrate human rights.
5. Understand the practical side of human rights work by knowing the processes of negotiating and implementing human rights within the United Nations framework;
Identify relevant United Nations bodies and its mechanism, structures and the functioning of the United Nations and the functioning of peace-keeping missions of the United Nations that are central to uphold human rights.