South Asia_Call for Submissions

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INTRODUCTION

Development and Human Rights

Dignity International and its partners believe that Human Rights and Development must go hand-in-hand because they both share the same core functions.

Human Rights provide a moral, authoritative, and a legal framework to tackle root causes of poverty the deep-rooted structures of discrimination i.e. the global processes of impoverishment. A humanrights framework has the potential to deal with not only legal justice, which is the primary preoccupationof traditional human rights organisations, but also economic and social justice which is central to

development work. Realising this potential, many development actors development organisations,donors and governments - are now actively integrating human rights into development planning. Nationalgovernments are seeking to integrate human rights in poverty reduction strategies, and morecommunity-based organisations are advocating for their basic human rights.

A human rights framework offers distinctive strengths and specific tools for development work. Itpositions each individual as the owner of human rights, and puts the human person at the centre of thedevelopment process. People are not viewed as passive subjects, but as active agents who are able toparticipate in, actively contribute to, and enjoy development. Basic human needs to live life in dignity(adequate housing, adequate levels of nutrition, access to education, access to healthcare, to livelihoodsand employment opportunities) are no longer seen as demands for charity, but as basic human rights towhich everyone is entitled. This fundamental shift from charity/service delivery to human rights movesthe poorest in our societies from a position of vulnerability to a position of strength, and therefore from a

position of powerlessness to a position where they are empowered.

2nd SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL WORKSHOPON HUMAN RIGHTS IN DEVELOPMENT

22nd 28th July 2012Colombo, Sri Lanka

DEADLINE FORAPPLICATION:31ST MAY2012

PROGRAMMEANNOUNCEMENT

In Collaboration with

With the support of:


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South Asia

South Asia is home to more than 1.4 billion1 people and also a vital economic region in the world withan average 6% GDP growth annually. Yet, South Asia is also a region facing many issues that are causingmuch adversity to the people and human rights situation continues to deteriorate2 - armed conflict,poverty, discrimination, etc. Despite the existence of a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC), there is still no regional human rights mechanism to protect and promote human rights,signifying states priorities in pursuing developmental objectives have little regard for human rights.

At the micro level, the income gaps between the working classes and the middle/upper incomegroups have widened. This is clearly a result of bad economic policy within members and in SAARC itself.Even before the food price crisis in 2008, around 40% of the worlds hungry people lived in the SouthAsia. The massive floods that took place not too long ago in Pakistan and Bangladesh show that SouthAsia faces the brunt of global climate change and environmental degradation. The liberalisation ofmarkets has also led to foreign extractive and manufacturing companies admitting members, thuscausing massive land grabbing which results in displacement of peoples and further leading to conflict.Member states only focus on the symptoms of unsustainable development listed above as securitythreats and continue to spend exorbitantly on arms while clamping down on fundamental freedoms withnational security laws.

The recent Commonwealth Civil Society Statement on Driving Change for a DynamicCommonwealth3 reiterates the need for rights-based economic wellbeing, sustainable development, andhuman rights. This call is echoed across South Asia as a vast part of the South Asia region consists ofCommonwealth member states.

The call for HRBA to development is congruous with democracy, human rights, development, goodgovernance, civil society, and the rule of law, thus enabling it to be used as a platform for advocacy

campaigns. The need for civil society of the South Asian nations to reclaim their spaces as peoples of theregion and of the world is now. Hence, all means to make the people the centre of this change is crucial!

Dignity Internationals Role in South Asia

In partnership with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Dignity International organised the firstSouth Asia Regional Linking & Learning Programme on Human Rights and Development in 2008. Bringingtogether 30 individuals from seven countries, the programme was well received in both content andmethodology.

This 2012 South Asia Regional Workshop aims to continue the gains made with partners since thefirst workshop in India. The upcoming workshop hosted in Sri Lanka offers another good chance to learnand reflect on HRBA in a post-conflict nation. A new group of NGOs from all the South Asian countrieswill have the opportunity to understand the ESCR contexts through Dignity Internationals signaturetraining method.

Dignity International believes that empowering people and States through the Human Rights BasedApproach (HRBA) and mainstreaming human rights within national and regional development frameworks

1 World Bank databasehttp://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21566213~pagePK:146736~piPK:146830~theSitePK:223547,00.html2 Forum Asia http://www.forum-asia.org/?p=108153 Commonwealth Foundation http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=AjQGb0m3JvQ%3d&tabid=39


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are ways to ensure All Human Rights for All. It is essential to make human rights apparent within poorcommunities. Through our partners in South Asia Ekta Parishad, Peoples Watch and YUVA, empoweredcommunities have stood up to resist systematic discrimination in many villages in India, be it caste-based

practices or oppressive systems against the poor. Economic models and distribution of wealth that do notfocus on profits but on peoples needs have to be formulated. Using the Human Rights Based Approachto Development, there will be greater possibilities of ideas for a progressive South Asia.

Programme Contents

The programme will take participants on a five-day intensive but enjoyable capacity building trainingprogramme on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) using the HRBA to development framework.This will equip the participants with knowledge of the key elements of human rights-based development,and enhance their skills for its practical application. Participants will see the link between human rightsand development, and become more committed to the work ahead to achieve the unified human rights

and development vision of human dignity for all.

After the programme, participants will:

Understand and apply the key elements of human rights-based development. More specificallyparticipants will be able to:

familiarize themselves with the content of ESCR link specific development issues to international human rights standards; understand the nature of human rights obligations of state and non-state actors and be

able to apply the knowledge gained to enhance human rights advocacy; understand the importance of accountability, transparency and the right to information

in human rights and be able to use accountability and redress mechanisms at differentlevels; understand the fundamental principle of non-discrimination and how human rights can

help tackle deep-rooted structures of discrimination that perpetuate humiliation andpoverty;

understand and appreciate participation as a human right and that realisation of humanrights requires participation. Additionally, participants will be able to develop new ideasand skills to encourage meaningful participation of struggling communities indevelopment work;

Understand how human rights empower people and steps that can be taken to encouragegrassroots empowerment. Understand the difference between human rights and non-humanrights strategies and improve on/transform existing development strategies into human rights

strategies.Understand and apply human rights-based development into practical output on the ground level.Put all the learning into practice through intensive group work on real case studies.Develop strong solidarity with the communities visited as well as solidarity and friendship at aglobal level with other participants of the programme.Increase commitment to human rights in our professional work and in personal lives.


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Participant Profile

Development actors from grassroots, national and international development NGOs that are beginning tointegrate human rights in development work are encouraged to apply. Applicants should be in keypositions within their organisations, with solid experience and responsibility in a range of areas includingprogramming, community organising, advocacy and campaigning. Priority will be given to potentialmultipliers. All applicants must be committed to attend the full duration of the programme and be ableto work and communicate in English.

20-25 participants who meet the criteria above will be chosen to participate. Programme organisers will takeinto account gender, and geographical balance as well as representation from diverse social backgrounds,diverse disciplines and covering a range development issues (education, food sovereignty, HIV/AIDS, etc).Dignity also reserves the right to invite some participants to the programme.

This programme is open to applicants from South Asian countries only Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan,

India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Programme Methodology

Dignitys learning programmes are designed as a process of mutual learning, with the participantsexperience and realities as the starting point of the learning process. Active participation and in-depthreflection individually, in groups, and in plenary - are the keys to the success of the programme.

The process is based on non-formal education and learner-centred methodologies, thus providing amutual learning environment where participants can compare their approaches and concerns in a safe,intercultural context. The use of experiential methods and case studies strengthen the practical side ofthis programme.

Facilitating Team

The facilitating team is composed of Dignity International facilitators with development and human rightsexperience at grassroots and international levels, and who possess the necessary and creative skills tofacilitate an enjoyable learning process. The team will reflect gender balance and the cultural, politicaland geographical diversity.

Programme Dates & Venue

This is a residential programme. Selected participants are expected to arrive in Colombo, Sri Lanka onSunday, 22nd July 2012 and depart on Saturday, 28th July 2012.

Working Language

The programme will be conducted in English.


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FINANCIAL AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION

All selected participants are requested to cover their own travel, board, lodging and other incidental expenses.

Participation Costs

The organisers will charge a participation fee of USD800. This amount, which is subsidised, must be paid to theorganisers 2 weeks prior to the start of the programme. This amount will cover programme materials, hotelaccommodation for 6 days, all meals and coffee breaks during the programme dates and programme-relatedlocal transport in Sri Lanka. The amount does not cover incidental expenses (phone, laundry, etc).

Scholarships

Dignity believes that people should not be excluded for financial reasons. Therefore, limited scholarships will beavailable for those with no alternative financial means to participate, especially those from grassrootsdevelopment organisations.

Due to funding requirements, Scholarship support can ONLY BE EXTENDED TO CITIZENS FROM SOUTH ASIANCOUNTRIES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION India, Maldives, Pakistan and SriLanka ONLY.

Types of scholarships for participants:

Category A:

Programme fees (USD800) waived.

**Participant pays full travel expenses.

Category B: 80% travel cost support from Dignity International.**Participant pays full programme fee (USD800) and 20% of travel cost.

Category C: 50% programme fees (USD400) waived, travel cost support from Dignity International.**Participant pays 50% of programme fee (USD400).

Category D: Programme fees (USD800) waived, 80% travel cost support from Dignity International.**Participant pays 20% of travel cost.


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HOW TOAPPLY

i. Submit your application online*here*

ii. If you have trouble accessing the online application form, please write to us [email protected]. Please complete the application form and send it backwith a valid signature and a stamp from your organisation, community or group in support of yourapplication.

Upon submission of application form, applicants are also required to include a RECOMMENDATION LETTERfrom the Director of your organisation endorsing your participation. Please take note that only ORIGINALrecommendation letters are accepted. Recycling of recommendation letters is strictly prohibited.

Twenty participants will be selected on the basis of the profile and the overall criteria outlined above.Candidates will be informed about their application by 7 th June 2012. The organisers will then immediatelyproceed on arrangements with the selected candidates.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Thursday, 31st May 2012, 11.59PM (GMT +8)

CONTACT US

For further information regarding Dignity International please visit our website at www.dignityinternational.org,or find us on Facebook.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHJiYW11S2R1U1gwMVd6aTlOUElsaXc6MQ#gid=0https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHJiYW11S2R1U1gwMVd6aTlOUElsaXc6MQ#gid=0https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHJiYW11S2R1U1gwMVd6aTlOUElsaXc6MQ#gid=0https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHJiYW11S2R1U1gwMVd6aTlOUElsaXc6MQ#gid=0


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PROGRAMME PARTNERS

Dignity International http://www.dignityinternational.org

Dignity International is a non-profit independent organisation, registered as a Foundation in the Netherlands,standing together and supporting people living in poverty, working with partners, and supporters worldwide tobuild a global family to make all human rights for all a reality. Dignity International is a catalyst for socialchange - supporting the primary change agents, i.e. people in the frontline of the human rights struggle.Dignity International believes that everyone should live life in full dignity - free from fear and free frompoverty. In its work, Dignity International:

Supports human rights advocacy work of the communities in the frontline of the struggle for survival people whose basic human rights are denied;

Connects the different struggling communities across national borders; Builds a global family for lasting social change.

Dignitys Track Record - Dignity has a track record of offering quality and pioneering learning programmesin the past ten years. In the early 2001, realising the hunger for human rights knowledge and how humanrights (in particular economic, social and cultural rights) relate to poverty eradication, Dignity was the firstorganisation to partner with quality and experienced institutions to organise a learning programme oneconomic, social and cultural rights at the global level. The programme was met with huge demand from allover the world and with huge success in terms of content, methodology and application. Encouraged by thissuccess, Dignity continued in its efforts to coordinate this on an annual basis as well as organise otherpioneering thematic learning programmes like Budget Analysis and ESC Rights. In the past six years, Dignityhas taken more emphasis in its learning programmes on the links between human rights and development andin particular to meet the growing demand for training on human rights-based development.

ORGANISING PARTNER

Law & Society Trust (LST) -http://www.lawandsocietytrust.org/

A not for profit organisation engaged in human rights documentation, legal research and advocacy based inColombo, Sri Lanka. The organisations aim is to use rights based strategies in research, documentation andadvocacy in order to promote and protect human rights, enhance public accountability and respect for the ruleof law.

Some of its main activities include legal education and skills training, publications, rights awareness raising,dissemination of information, networking & coalition building at a national and international level.
http://www.dignityinternational.org/http://www.lawandsocietytrust.org/http://www.lawandsocietytrust.org/http://www.lawandsocietytrust.org/http://www.lawandsocietytrust.org/http://www.dignityinternational.org/


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SUPPORTING PARTNER

Commonwealth Foundation -http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com

The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation set up almost fifty years ago to make civilsociety stronger. They work on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth of Nations, a voluntary associationtoday spanning 54 countries, six continents and almost a third of the worlds population.

They exist to empower charities, non-governmental organisations, professional associations, trade unions, faithgroups and cultural practitioners; the lifeblood of any healthy society. They equip these groups with the toolsrequired to contribute to national and international goals of democracy, good governance, sustainabledevelopment and cultural diversity.

The Commonwealth Foundation awards excellence in the arts and help to influence key policy-makers. Theychampion, develop and invest in activities that enrich and strengthen society. They act as a vital resource for

Commonwealth people, enabling them to raise their voice, instigate change, and fashion a better world.
http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/

Documents

South Asia_Call for Submissions