A theme through-out the work of IHRN is the
importance of learning from the actual impact of approaches taken in the
past - in order to improve for the future. IHRN has worked to
facilitate a holistic approach to such learning across the UN system in
particular, in the context of:
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International development
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International humanitarian response
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International human rights fieldwork
Recommendations have been made to give effect to UN
organisational learning regarding its human rights impact. Here, human
rights fieldwork is the specific illustration.
Many organisations are involved in human rights
fieldwork, such as the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights, the European Union and the Organisation for Security and
Co-operation in Europe. There is an urgent need for an effective
learning process which distills real experience for the benefit of
future action. Learning-To Integrate Human Rights, is the
result of a two-year consultation process by the International Human
Rights Network. It elaborates why this is needed and how it can be
achieved.
The process drew on the experience of past and
on-going human rights operations, efforts at ‘lessons learning’ by UN
actors such as the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations, of Political
Affairs as well as the High Commissioner for Refugees and Unicef. The
process also looked to other sources such as the International
Committee of the Red Cross and beyond - where highly relevant
experience regarding organisational development was found in the
commercial and military fields.
Individual and system-wide recommendations are
addressed to the international organisations concerned with mandating,
fielding or funding field human rights work. As focal point for the
full integration of human rights in the UN system, specific
recommendations are made to the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights. That Office should commit resources to act as human
rights learning hub for the UN family, committed as it is by the UN
Charter, to fully integrate human rights in all its work.
Learning - To Integrate Human Rights, by Karen Kenny.
Available in English - Summary or Full Text
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