PART II, SECTION 1– DEVELOPING A RIGHTS-BASED PERSPECTIVE

USING MODULE 1 IN A TRAINING PROGRAM

DEVELOPING A RIGHTS-BASED PERSPECTIVE

GO TO SECTION I - MODULE 1

The purpose of Module 1 is to enable participants to develop a rights-based perspective and approach to economic, social and cultural (ESC) issues.  The module discusses some funda­mental principles and clarifies the distinction between working on economic/development issues and advancing ESC rights.  Developing a framework for advancing ESC rights is im­portant; the strategies to be adopted depend on that framework.  Thus, this module provides the basis for introducing the remaining modules in the manual.

This module should help trainees understand/clarify for themselves:

• the content of  a rights-based approach;

• the intrinsic value of ESC rights;

• the need to reflect on development policies and strategies; and

• the debate on the  role of the state in ensuring ESC rights.

Suggested Methods

¨      Discussion of parable: A trainer could use the following case study, "A Modern Parable,” for generating discussion on types of intervention made to deal with ESC issues and problems.  Discussion on values underlying development policies is important; values are related to the question whether development policies enhance the dignity and capability of the individual.

After the discussion based on the case study, a trainer should provide some additional in­put on development policies and their implications for protecting the ESC rights of dis­advantaged groups.  An expert could be invited to speak on the subject.  The presentation should help the trainees further understand some contemporary debates, such as that of the state versus market.  An input of this nature is suggested here, since the question of development, and of the role of the state and of other actors will be pertinent to later modules that introduce specific rights contained in the International Covenant on Eco­nomic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

A Modern Parable

There was once a factory which employed thousands of people.  Its production line was a miracle of modern engineering, turning out thousands of machines every day.  The factory had a high accident rate.  The complicated machinery of the production line took little account of human error, forgetfulness, or ignorance.  Day after day men and women came out of the factory with squashed fingers, cuts, bruises.  Sometimes a man would lose an arm or leg.  Occasionally someone was electrocuted or crushed to death.

Enlightened people began to see that something needed to be done.  First on the scene were the churches.  An enterprising minister organized a small first-aid tent outside the factory gate.  Soon, with the backing of the Council of Churches, it grew into a properly built clinic, able to give first aid to quite serious cases, and to treat minor injuries.  The town council became interested, together with local bodies like the Chamber of Trade and the Rotary Club.  The clinic grew into a small hospital, with modern equipment, an operating theatre, and a full-time staff of doctors and nurses.  Several lives were saved.  Finally the factory management, seeing the good that was being done, and wishing to prove itself enlightened, gave the hospital its official backing, with unrestricted access to the factory, a small annual grant, and an ambulance to speed serious cases from workshop to hospital ward.

But year by year, as production increased, the accident rate continued to rise.  More and more men and women were hurt or maimed.  And in spite of everything the hospital could do, more and more people died from the injuries they received.

Only then did some people begin to ask if it was enough to treat people’s injuries, while leaving untouched the machinery that caused them. [1]

The following questions, among others, could be posed to generate discussion on the above case study:

• What message do you think the story is trying to convey?

• What parallels can you draw between the parable and present day society’s approach to health or other economic and social problems?

• Discussion of editorial: In addition to the above case study, a trainer could also use the editorial included in Module 1 for conducting a group discussion on the issues raised, and then make a presentation based on the contents of the module.
• Discussion of text: Alternatively, a trainer could use the text, "Everyday Violence: Bod­ies, Death, and Silence,” included in Module 1 to generate discussion as an introduction to the module.