At the Nexus of Human Rights and Development: New Methods and Strategies of Global NGOs

The growing interaction of development and human rights, especially in the work of nongovernment organizations (NGOs), has important implications for NGOs, donor agencies and governments. Three trends––a rights-based approach to development, joint advocacy by human rights and development NGOs, and expanded attention to economic and social rights human rights groups––are the substance of the growing interaction. Human rights offer internationally recognized standards as benchmarks and bases for accountability of NGOs, governments, and corporations; a new source of influence for NGOs’ advocacy; and the first fundamental challenge to a market-dominated view of development that has prevailed since the 1980s. NGOs’ efforts to link human rights and development are examined to reveal both potential and limitations.