The Human Sciences Encounters in Phnom Penh

Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at 14:00, At Royal University of Fine Arts, Phnom Penh

Abstract:Development agencies which address climate change adaptation (CCA) are increasingly adopting human rights based approaches (HRBA) to guide their work.  What, however, does that entail in practice?  This qualitative case study examines whether and how development NGOs understand and apply HRBA.  We specifically explore the themes of participation, transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination as it relates to CCA programming. 

We examine how NGOs in Cambodia are addressing and implementing right-based approaches to climate change, and what the experiences and implications are from these efforts.  In principle HRBA challenges a dominant discourse which emphasises ‘win-win’ technical solutions and sidestep questions of power, vulnerability, inequality, and responsibility.  Despite organisational commitments to HRBA, however, this perspective is only cautiously being applied to climate change. HRBA can provide important locally-relevant normative and principled guidance for making critical choices.  Linking CCA and human rights (HR) requires anchoring efforts within broader governance efforts that promote the participation of vulnerable populations in national development, pressure for greater transparency, accountability of duty bearers, and spotlighting discriminatory governance practices. If this framework is applied it could contribute to breaking down the ‘silos’ that treat climate risk as a technical or sectoral concern rather than an impetus for transformational change. 

Biodata:  Dr. Colleen McGinn is a social research consultant based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.   She specializes in applying disaster management perspectives to new fields and emerging issues, including climate change adaptation.  She holds a PhD in Social Policy and Administration from the Columbia University School of Social Work in New York City.

Abstract:Development agencies which address climate change adaptation (CCA) are increasingly adopting human rights based approaches (HRBA) to guide their work.  What, however, does that entail in practice?  This qualitative case study examines whether and how development NGOs understand and apply HRBA.  We specifically explore the themes of participation, transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination as it relates to CCA programming. 

This presentation is based on the findings from the following study:

Christoplos, I., Funder, M., McGinn, C., and Wairimu, W.  (2014).  Human rights perspectives on climate change adaptation: Civil society experiences in Cambodia and Kenya.  Copenhagen, Danish Institute for International Studies.  http://www.diis.dk/files/media/documents/publications/diis_report_30_human_rights_perspectives_on_climate_change_adaptation_web.pdf