A/HRC/10/31
page 13
of the right to development and the open-ended working group on the right to development.
Furthermore, it undertook activities aimed at integrating human rights, in particular the right to
development, into global development partnerships. For instance, a workshop was organized in
Geneva in September 2008 to discuss the financing for development agenda from the perspective
of human rights, and a panel discussion on global economics and human rights was held at
Headquarters in October; both events were aimed at contributing an input to the preparatory
process for the Doha Review Conference on Financing for Development. The Office also
promoted the integration of a human rights perspective into aid effectiveness through
participation in a United Nations-wide preparatory process leading up to the Accra High-Level
Forum on Aid Effectiveness. OHCHR also co-sponsored and participated in the panel discussion
organized in October 2008 during the annual World Trade Organization Public Forum, which
highlighted the values of human rights for promoting people-centered and development-oriented
trade policies. In January 2009, OHCHR, in partnership with Harvard University, organized an
expert consultation on methodological issues of qualitative and quantitative tools for measuring
compliance with the right to development, intended to contribute to the development of criteria
for evaluating progress towards Millennium Development Goal 8 from the perspective of the
right to development.
52.
The Office continued to work on and publish communications and advocacy materials,
describing how efforts directed towards the Millennium Development Goals, including Goal 8
could be strengthened by human rights and how both international and national responsibilities
are critical for poverty reduction. Such materials included "Claiming the MDGs: a human rights
approach", a joint OHCHR/United Nations Millennium Campaign brochure, and a joint
publication with the World Health Organization entitled "Health, human rights and poverty
reduction strategies", embracing obligations of international and national actors to realize human
rights in the context of health and national poverty reduction strategies.
J. Human rights mainstreaming
53.
The 2005 World Summit Outcome 1 gave further impetus to system-wide efforts to
mainstream human rights in United Nations activities, which will continue to be a priority for the
Office across thematic areas and country-level work. Particular focus has been put on
strengthening support for the United Nations Resident Coordinator system, providing guidance,
advice and training in response to national needs. A strong partnership was forged with United
Nations development agencies under the Action 2 interagency initiative led by OHCHR, which
successfully concluded at the end of 2008. Over the past four years, the programme has
supported more than 60 United Nations country teams in developing their capacity and that of
national partners in strengthening national protection systems.
54.
In line with the commitment made by Member States at the 2005 World Summit and in
response to their increasing requests, the Office has also paid great attention to supporting efforts
to mainstream human rights into national policies, particularly in the context of country-led
poverty reduction strategies and national Millennium Development Goals. In 2008, OHCHR
organized a regional dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa and one in Bangkok, bringing
together national actors on development and human rights as well as international and regional
1
General Assembly resolution 60/1.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents