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Summary: The Equal in Rights Project is calling for information for its database of resource persons on applying a human rights based approach to development .
One of the current priorities at Equalinrights is to develop a database of resource persons across the breadth of human rights-based strategies. This project responds to a significant gap in awareness of expertise in these areas. Many diverse organisations, ranging from grassroots development organizations, national human rights NGOS and international development agencies, are struggling to find good and reliable resource persons to support them in trainings, strategy development, ongoing consultancy support and general advice. Equalinrights are thus looking for people with a range of experiences, motivated to support the advancement of human rights, strengthen civil society and build the global coalition against poverty and neo-liberal domination. This resource database will eventually form part of a larger joint resource centre on tools, methodologies and conceptual papers around the application of the human rights-based approach and the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. This will involve an interactive process of development through which equalinrights will also seek to bring together those working closely in this area to develop best practices for human rights-based strategies. Equalinrights hopes to work collaboratively to identify gaps and to evolve human rights and development practice in order to work more effectively towards the empowerment of all human beings to live in human dignity. Through this process equalinrights will also seek to identify geographical areas where there is a lack of expertise and know-how in applying human rights-based strategies. It proposes then to support identified potential resource persons through trainings, further study, internships and experience exchange with others. Click on the link above for some information in an Annex on what is meant by the human rights-based approach and also what is the orientation in equalinrights, upstream human rights efforts. Purpose and use of the database of resource persons This database will serve as a resource pool to contribute to an effective response to arising need with, for example: support in trainings, workshops and conferences; contributing to the development of new tools and methodologies; ideas and strategies; common experience; and relevant contacts of others redressing similar dilemmas. It will be targeted towards grassroots organizations, development NGOs, human rights NGOs, church-based organizations and other civil society groups, as well as international development agencies. The primary source of expertise sought is at a local/national level in economically developing countries. We believe that there is great scope of local knowledge and experience here, of which many are not aware. This is the resource we seek to tap into and share: not Northern based expertise. We also promote the use of resource persons in regions other than their own - to share Southern knowledge, approaches and experience cross-regionally in a mutual process of learning and change. On a secondary level, we are also seeking practitioners with experience and knowledge, working at the regional and international level. Information will be accessible by password only. The password will be distributed once identity of the person requesting information is ascertained and the sincerity of the work they are engage in verified. Any information that resource persons would like to be confidential will remain so. Skills and experience sought This database will be interdisciplinary, composed of persons with in-depth experience and knowledge in working with human rights issues and implementing human rights-based strategies, extending across a broad range of areas. The focus will be on upstream human rights efforts. This is a preliminary outline of the areas that we will cover. This will evolve as the project gets underway. Theoretical and conceptual understanding of a human rights-based approach to development. This database will not be an exhaustive pool. It will rather expand when organizations request necessary expertise. Development of the database The information for the database will be gathered on a personal basis, not through written information. We will speak with potential resource persons about their experiences and skills. We will also request nominations from them of others with whom they have worked, for a broader and more in depth understanding of precise skills, experience and communication styles. As stated, information will be accessible by password only and any information that resource persons would like to be confidential will remain so. About Equalinrights Equalinrights is an independent international resource center and support network that operates as a project within the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM). Equalinrights was established in August 2005 in response to an identified gap in support, resources and know-how in understanding and implementing a human rights-based attack on poverty. Equalinrights arose in recognition of two primary factors: (a) Globalization and the gross inequalities it creates in its current form; and (b) The inadequacy of traditional development approaches to transform social, economic, political and cultural structures and relationships that establish and reinforce poverty. Human rights-based strategies, with a focus on upstream efforts, are the only way forward in the path to human dignity, in real terms, for all humans worldwide. This is a relatively new and complex area, however, and people are struggling to in fact bridge the gap between legal recognition of human rights and their fulfillment in practice. Major challenges also exist in resolving how to marry rights and development issues to yield results for those living in poverty. While economic, social and cultural rights provide a solid normative framework to work with, remaining gaps in the current know-how and realization of these rights have left many confronting poverty in need of support in moving forward. Equalinrights exists then to join forces with others to close this gap through supporting the empowerment of those living in poverty. It supports the redefinition of boundaries and the transformation of power relations such that a sustainable globalization process from below rises to transform the existing dominant globalization from above. See www.equalinrights.org for further information. This website will be launched in mid-March 2006.