Rights-Based Development: The Challenge of Change and Power

This paper was written for the 2005 conference, Winners and Losers from Rights-based Approaches to Development, and draws from the authors` field experience of working with a range of NGOs that incorporate rights into their development activities. In particular it uses case study material from ActionAid International (AAI), an NGO that has been undertaking a shift in its strategies and operations over the last 5 years in order to integrate a rights-based perspective into its work. The paper explores both the benefits and challenges that this approach can bring when focused on strengthening the voice and power of marginalised sectors of society.