National Symposium on Human Rights and Human Development
The Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission Justice J.S.Verma has called for "humane governance" that focuses attention on the people's concerns and puts people at the centre of development. Recalling the concern expressed by late Dr. Mahbub-ul-Haq in this regard he pointed out that the answer lay in ensuring "inclusive democracy" and in ensuring greater participation of all sections of society in development. He made these observations at the National Symposium on Human Rights and Human Development jointly organized by NHRC & UNDP here today.
Referring to the Seven Freedoms outlined in the Human Development Report 2000, Justice Verma underscored the need for sustained efforts to realize them, in particular freedom from discrimination, freedom from want and freedom to develop and realize one's human potential.
Justice Verma referred to the linkage between duties and human rights in the HDR 2000. He observed that the Human Development Index is a true index of the development of a nation.
Referring to the rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution, he said that Article 14, Article 21 and a number of others, if properly implemented, will ensure all human rights and dignity of the citizen are secured.
He felt that Human Development should be a collective effort. Referring to the emerging knowledge society, he stressed the need to tap its potential. In this context, he emphasized the need to stop brain drain.
Noted social worker and this year's Ramon Magasaysay Award winner, Ms Aruna Roy stated that it is Decentralisation governance and accountable civil society that puts community ownership at the centre are the way forward as they add meaning and substance to both democracy and human development. Making a strong case for inclusive and participatory governance, Ms Roy said in a country as vast and varied as India, there would have to be disaggregated levels of participation and governance. "The full potential of Panchayati Raj Institutions has not been realised, except for Kerala", she averred, noting that for work to be effective and for rights to prevail, the composite unit of governance would have to be small.
Speaking at the Plenary, the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Brenda Gael McSweeney said to move from concepts of lasting human development with equity, and of poverty eradication, to reality, UNDP was seeking to chart a participatory growth process, that cuts across government ministries and departments, and involves Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and community based organisations in a big way. This, she said had become all the more imperative since ultimately, the responsibility of removing poverty has to be managed with local community ownership, and not by centralised management by remote control.
The National Symposium was attended, among others by the Members of the National Human Rights Commission, UN officials, representatives of NGOs and others.
The HDR 2000 emphasises that a decent standard of living, adequate nutrition, health- care, education, decent work and protection against calamities are not just development goals - they are also human rights.
HDR 2000 stresses the role of NGOs and their global networks as a major development of the 1990s. It cites the example of India among countries where "people are organising civil society groups and NGOs, defending people's rights against evictions, holding governments accountable for building schools, and for community development". "Public interest litigation cases - in education and environment in such countries as India - have been important milestones in securing people's economic and social rights "says the Report.
Referring to the Seven Freedoms outlined in the Human Development Report 2000, Justice Verma underscored the need for sustained efforts to realize them, in particular freedom from discrimination, freedom from want and freedom to develop and realize one's human potential.
Justice Verma referred to the linkage between duties and human rights in the HDR 2000. He observed that the Human Development Index is a true index of the development of a nation.
Referring to the rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution, he said that Article 14, Article 21 and a number of others, if properly implemented, will ensure all human rights and dignity of the citizen are secured.
He felt that Human Development should be a collective effort. Referring to the emerging knowledge society, he stressed the need to tap its potential. In this context, he emphasized the need to stop brain drain.
Noted social worker and this year's Ramon Magasaysay Award winner, Ms Aruna Roy stated that it is Decentralisation governance and accountable civil society that puts community ownership at the centre are the way forward as they add meaning and substance to both democracy and human development. Making a strong case for inclusive and participatory governance, Ms Roy said in a country as vast and varied as India, there would have to be disaggregated levels of participation and governance. "The full potential of Panchayati Raj Institutions has not been realised, except for Kerala", she averred, noting that for work to be effective and for rights to prevail, the composite unit of governance would have to be small.
Speaking at the Plenary, the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Brenda Gael McSweeney said to move from concepts of lasting human development with equity, and of poverty eradication, to reality, UNDP was seeking to chart a participatory growth process, that cuts across government ministries and departments, and involves Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and community based organisations in a big way. This, she said had become all the more imperative since ultimately, the responsibility of removing poverty has to be managed with local community ownership, and not by centralised management by remote control.
The National Symposium was attended, among others by the Members of the National Human Rights Commission, UN officials, representatives of NGOs and others.
The HDR 2000 emphasises that a decent standard of living, adequate nutrition, health- care, education, decent work and protection against calamities are not just development goals - they are also human rights.
HDR 2000 stresses the role of NGOs and their global networks as a major development of the 1990s. It cites the example of India among countries where "people are organising civil society groups and NGOs, defending people's rights against evictions, holding governments accountable for building schools, and for community development". "Public interest litigation cases - in education and environment in such countries as India - have been important milestones in securing people's economic and social rights "says the Report.