1. More than 30 organizations comprise the UN Development System (UNDS). Virtually all are members of the UN Development Group (UNDG), but comprise a ‘system’ in name only since each…
Say it loudly, say it often -Public systems must be reclaimed by citizens and reformed in the interest of people so duty bearers are decisively made accountable. (This quote is…
Underdevelopment is not a phase on the road towards development. Underdevelopment is the historical result of somebody else’s development. (Eduardo Galeano) Why does the ‘development industry’ need a total overhaul…
“It is impossible that it is impossible to change our history” (Graffiti in the Darío Salas Highschool, Santiago, Chile). 1. All my life I have been an impertinent person;is this…
-Late capitalism has been brilliant at righting itself. Communism was poor at this. The problem is that capitalism usually only does so after mega crises or wars. (Tim Lang) -It…
1. In sink with the title,and with no intention to glorify human rights (HR) activists, I would like to start this Reader with some assorted aphorisms I have picked up…
Human rights principles and standards are to be used by activists in social movementsto contest neoliberalism’s myriad violations of human rights.(adapted from P. Clayes) The challenge to be addressed in…
In some agencies,selectivity and hypocrisy surround human rights. (Ignacio Saiz) 1. Human rights language in the successive post 2015 development agenda drafts still fails to move beyond aspirations and to…
The realization of human rights is a prerequisite for the achievement of the other three. 1. The application of the human rights-based framework must be seen in the larger UN…
The centrality of politics 1. Do politics matter? We should realize that if the answer to this important question is no, then we –those living in so-called democratic societies–are in…