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How to support local authorities to implement human rights
Local governments’ crucial role became clearer during the COVID-19 pandemic: much of the burden of addressing political, economic, and social challenges fell on local governance structures.
Another way of acting in favour of human rights is certainly at the city level. Cities are most sensitive to challenges and trends that impact people.
UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector has empowered local decision-makers and actors since 2004 through its 600-strong cities platform, the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities – ICCAR. Local level work is also central to UNESCO’s current strategy to combat discrimination, outlined in its Roadmap against Racism and Discrimination.
But to fulfil their human rights obligations, local governments need to be better equipped. Since implementing human rights is much more than setting objectives, appropriate management arrangements must be put in place.
A first requirement is the sound use of human and financial resources, such as justified budget allocations, adapted procurement systems, and monitoring procedures. Local governments should take an inclusive approach, emphasizing community participation and ensuring that disadvantaged groups are actively involved.
Transparency and open communication are essential to building mutual trust, with non-biased information, communication technologies, and AI systems playing a catalytic role in this respect. Networking within and across countries is also invaluable for sharing experiences, good practice, and peer-learning for a stronger implementation of human rights at the local level.
The third “Academy on Human Rights Go Local: What Works” held from 1 to 8 February examined these topics, under the theme “Governing the city by human rights objectives: Management concepts and instruments”. The closing conference brought together high-level representatives of Austrian authorities, namely the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Governor of Styria and the Mayor of Graz, and included interventions by the mayors and city officials of Defale (Togo), Tizayuca (Mexico), and Middelburg (The Netherlands), along with speakers from international organizations, civil society and academia.
The Academy was jointly organized by UNESCO, the International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights at the Local and Regional Levels created in Graz under the auspices of UNESCO, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN – Habitat, the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, and the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency.
UNESCO’s human rights initiatives took centre stage. The spotlight was put inter alia on the findings of the Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination held in Mexico in November 2022, the Anti-racism Toolkit, which provides guidance for more effective policies, and the Framework for Enabling Intercultural Dialogue.
The will feed into relevant work of partner organizations. Good learning approaches will also shape next year’s Academy.
