#Local Expertise #Global Impact
Individual freedoms and diversity are fundamental to the human experience, and they provide a rich palette on which to paint our lives. However, some try to impose their own narrow perspectives on others, leading to attempts to control our way of life rather than to a tolerance for the differences that make life worth living.
Respect for diversity is a fundamental value in the search for consensus and cooperation. This respectful attitude toward individuals should lead us to recognize the dynamic nature of our responsibilities in society and to value different points of view. This is the only way to reject prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination that are rooted in ignorance, hatred or intolerance.
The response to non-discrimination is grounded in national, regional and international instruments guiding State interventions. We recognize that some of these instruments sometimes describe the aspirational state to which States commit themselves.
National Constitutions – represent the fundamental rules of states, which enshrine principles of non-discrimination and citizen participation in local and national governance.
Sustainable Development Goals – are pursued by ensuring that “no one is left behind.” They provide a framework where all people can contribute to and benefit from an inclusive development framework and inspire national development policies.
Regional and International Human Rights Instruments – States’ obligations to protect human rights are well established in international human rights law, based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent international human rights treaties.
We help stakeholders and institutions to engage in informed active participation, particularly on the impact of frameworks and contexts on people’s lives.