The human rights-based approach (HRBA) to development has gained ground as one of the key tools for achieving sustainable development. However, human rights principles and standards are ambiguous concepts to many who are involved in development work. The result has been that development and human rights work have occupied parallel paths.

Building on the learnings and experiences gained from the Global Learning and Linking Programme on Human Rights in Development that took place in Nairobi, Kenya from 1-10 December 2005 under the auspices of Dignity International and the Nairobi-based Hakijaami Trust, the Human Rights in Development Training Workshop was conceived by Development Initiatives Network (DIN) as a means of building the capacity of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in particular, in integrating human rights-based approaches into development work in Nigeria. The Training Workshop took place on 16 May 2006 with participation from 31 representatives of NGOs, including faith-based organizations (FBOs). The venue was DIN’s Resource Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Basically, the overall objective was to bridge the gap between human rights and development and to promote HRBA as an integral tool for development work in Nigeria. Specific training objectives were:

• To encourage simple, accessible explanations of human rights.
• To promote understanding of HRBA.
• To articulate the relationship between vulnerable groups and development.
• To promote understanding of globalization and its impact on the process of development and the realization of human rights.
• To realize the obligations of state and non-state actors in development.

The training was fully participatory and interactive so as to stimulate contributions from the participants themselves on issues at the intersection of their development work and human rights. It involved group exercises and a case study on the applications of HRBA particularly in connection with the protection of women rights, children’s rights, environmental rights and the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). All participants received certificates of participation at the workshop.

The workshop facilitator, Dede Kadiri, DIN’s Senior Programme Officer, was a participant at the Nairobi training.