Section 3
Case Studies
Section Overview
This section showcases how a human rights community-led development approach has been
facilitated by NHRIs in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Philippines, and in the Pacific (Cook Islands,
Fiji and Samoa).
The story of Vanuanui has appeared throughout Sections 1 and 2, giving a fictitious example of how
aspects of a HRCLD approach may occur.
The case studies in Section 3 are based on actual events, facilitated in New Zealand, the Philippines
and in three Pacific countries - Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa.
3.1 HRCLD in Aotearoa New Zealand
When communities are supported to build their human rights
capacity, they are able to identify, advocate for, and resolve,
their own human rights issues. They are also able to use human
rights approaches in local planning and decision-making.
Taku Manawa (Building Human Rights Communities) grew out
of this philosophy. From 2003 to 2014, Te Kahui Tika Tangata
the New Zealand Human Rights Commission developed and
implemented a human rights community-led development
approach.
As it evolved, the HRCLD approach used by the Commission
required a hands-on commitment with each community for a
period of around three years. The process involved:
•
identifying a community
•
working with individuals, organisations and agencies in the community to identify the human rights
issues of greatest importance to them
•
inviting the community to nominate leaders they considered best able to support the community
address their human rights issues, to participate in a HRCLD capacity-building programme.
•
facilitating a seven-day human rights and facilitation capacity-building course (that also resulted
in the achievement of a national qualification as a result of partnering with a tertiary education
provider).
•
supporting participants to roll-out strategies in their community
•
formalising community/commission relationships for the benefit of both the community and the
commission
•
developing support networks of Taku Manawa facilitators across regions.
APF HRCLD Guide
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