Conferences
The Winners and Losers from Rights-Based Approaches to Development
What can be gained and what might be lost through adopting a rights-based approach to pro-poor development?
A conference to be held at IDPM, University of Manchester, UK
21-22 February 2005
Introduction
'Rights-based approaches to development' have gained increased prominence within international development over the past decade, inspiring some theorists and policy-makers to talk of a 'new paradigm' for development, and many agencies to review and reform their programmes and practices.
The promise of a new, politically-attuned and multi-dimensional approach to development has captured the imaginations of many, in part because of the heterogeneous origins from which rights-based approaches have emerged. From within international development discourse, rights-based approaches represent a convergence between the now mainstream political issues of good governance on the one hand, and social issues of exclusion and participation on the other.
Contextually, discussions of 'rights' reflect a greater confidence in the depth of democratisation in developing countries - supported by the growing interest in international human rights conventions and the establishment and extension of rights-based constitutions in developing countries - alongside a recognition that political repression, social exclusion and conflict still maintain high levels of rights abuses for many.
Finally, rights based approaches are woven through the discursive and material strategies employed by social movements and civil society organization in their struggles to secure citizenship for marginalized peoples, and to protect livelihoods and identities.
However, there are emerging concerns that rights-based approaches may lack conceptual validity, operational effectiveness and widespread relevance within international development. This conference offers an opportunity to take stock of the debate so far, and come to a measured assessment of the promise and pitfalls of rights-based approaches.
An Invitation for Papers
A central question to explore is: who stands to win and who stands to lose from a rights-based approach to development?
It is argued that rights-based approaches to policies such as social protection offer the poorest people the best guarantee of livelihood support. However, some argue that rights-based approaches are an inappropriate strategy for working with the poorest and most vulnerable, who may feel more secure in entering (often informal) negotiations rather than in making demands.
Might the heralded shift from clientelism to citizenship actually disadvantage those who might rely in patron-client links for security and to avoid destitution, and who lack the political capabilities to make and realise claims? In contexts of weak state capacity, is a model whereby citizens' claim and the state delivers relevant, or do new solutions need to emerge? And how do rights-based approaches respond to the failure to address issues of poverty and inequality in the North where many of the claimed rights have long been recognised?
In terms of institutional relationships, rights-based strategies may be difficult to reconcile with an interest in greater partnership and collaboration between groups that have traditionally had antagonistic relationships. In other words, there is both a politics and a political economy to adopting a rights-based approach to development that needs to be urgently explored.
Papers are sought on these and other related questions from academics, policy-makers within bi- and multi-lateral development agencies, NGO practitioners and social movement activists.
Relevant papers will include:
- Theoretical work that locates rights-based approaches in relation to development theory more broadly
- Case-studies that analyse the processes involved in adopting rights-based approaches within development agencies and processes
- Evaluative analyses of what has happened once pro-poor rights have been secured
- Comparative analyses of rights-based approaches against other development strategies and models
Abstracts should be received by the organisers by 1st August 2004 and full papers by 1st December 2004 .
For further details on the submission of papers, please contact:
Diana Mitlin, IDPM
Email: diana.mitlin@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)161 275 0413
Sam Hickey, IDPM
Email: sam.hickey@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)161 275 2806
Further Information and Bookings
The conference will run across two days in Manchester with a maximum attendance of 80. It will centre on plenary sessions with a mixture of papers and discussion.
Funding will be sought to enable the involvement from groups unable to fund their own participation, particularly paper-givers from overseas.
Plans are already underway for a book and/or specialist journal that draws on a collection of papers presented at the conference.
In order to book a place, please print/download the following booking form and return it to the address provided therein.
Please Note
This event precedes a conference on 'Social Protection for Chronic Poverty' (23rd-24th February 2005).
Participants interested in attending both conferences should contact:
Debra Whitehead
Arthur Lewis Conference Administrator
Institute for Development Policy and Management
University of Manchester
Harold Hankins Building
Precinct Centre
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9QH
Email: debra.whitehead@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)161 275 2821