Human Rights and Development
Human rights experts and development practitioners worldwide have contributed articles to this special report, expressing their views from different vantage points. These articles highlight the significance of human rights in supporting equity, defined in the World Development Report 2006 as both equality of opportunity and avoidance of extreme deprivation in outcomes. They also discuss aspects of human rights related to economic growth, governance, health policies and services, and the role of donors and governments. Although a number of authors offer solutions to some of the more pressing problems, many challenges still remain. First and foremost, we need to find suitable ways of operationalizing the concept of human rights and turning it into concrete action that promotes economic and social well-being. Second, now that the connection between human rights and development is widely recognized, it is time to include human rights considerations in development processes and programs. Although human rights are a recent inclusion in the World Bank agenda, the Bank has been involved for some time in developing governance indicators that take into account such factors as voice and accountability, rule of law, control of corruption, and so forth. The Bank is now actively promoting good governance and anti-corruption measures, which are directly related to human rights. Respect for these rights results in better health, education, and other social outcomes, which underlie sustainable development. However, as several authors point out, the Bank should not be an enforcer of human rights, but rather a facilitator, working together with the UN family, other donors, and civil society organizations. Read full articles at worldbank |
Printable version
Back to top
