POLICY PAPER | UNDP's Human Rights and SDG Systems Integration: Beyond Linkages, Data and Efficiency to Leave No One Behind

Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are two sides of the same coin: Progress towards one will unequivocally yield progress towards the other. We have a wealth of data, information, stakeholders and actors contributing to both aims. We also have parallel human rights and SDG systems that sometimes intersect – even though this may manifest itself differently in different countries.

This policy brief reflects on the need to harness the potential of human rights and SDG systems integration to accelerate inclusive policy solutions that hasten progress on both human rights obligations and the SDGs for all people: going beyond linkages, data and efficiency to leave no one behind.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Ms. Sarah Rattray is the Senior Advisor on Human Rights and global lead in United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Sarah provides technical advice and support to UNDP country offices, regional hubs and HQ teams related to human rights policies and programming in development including on topics: mainstreaming human rights, strengthening Paris Principles compliant National Human Rights Institutions, human rights and SDG systems integration, human rights in crisis, digital and support to human rights defenders. Sarah also leads UNDP engagement in various inter-agency partnership initiatives and processes related to mainstreaming and strengthening human rights in the UN system including the Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Human Rights.

Sarah has worked for 23 years in the UN system, firstly with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Bosnia and Afghanistan and subsequently with the UNDP in Kosovo and in HQ on a variety of issues including human rights and protection, governance, support to rule of law and access to justice and disability inclusive development. Sarah has also previously worked as a legal expert for the European Commission for the Balkans.

Mr. Brian Migowe is a human rights lawyer with over 8 years of experience in human rights, rule of law, including experience in humanitarian, development and post-conflict situations and working in UN transition contexts, currently serving as the Mid Term Review Coordination Specialist for the Mid Term Review Report of the Administrator for the current UNDP Strategic Plan (2022-2025). As a Programme Specialist in the Crisis Bureau, Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Team, Brian coordinated Human Rights institutional mainstreaming efforts and provided technical guidance and representation on Human Rights issues for UNDP within UN Inter-Agency platforms. Prior to his position in the Headquarters, Brian was a Programme Liaison and Transition Specialist in UNDP Sudan Front Office, working specifically on integrated programming and transition planning with UN Peacekeeping Mission (UNAMID) and the UN Special Political Mission - United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) and UN Country Team. He also served as a Human Rights Specialist for the flagship programme - UNDP-African Union Commission Treaties programme embedded with the Regional Service Centre for Africa in Addis Ababa.

Brian holds an LLM in International Human Rights Law from University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Post Graduate Certificate in Civic Engagement from University of Pittsburgh, PA, and a Bachelor's Degree in Law and is a licensed Common Law Attorney.

Ms. Chelsea Shelton is the Human Rights Programme Specialist for UNDP based in the Rule of Law, Security, and Human Rights Team in the Crisis Bureau. Chelsea supports UNDP's global human rights portfolio and coordinates flagship initiatives to strengthen human rights and sustainable development systems integration as well as Paris Principles compliant national human rights institutions. Chelsea previously served as the Programme Analyst for the UNDP Global Programme on Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights and has also consulted for UNDP on SDG 16 for peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. Chelsea was also engaged as Senior Research Associate on United Nations Peacebuilding for the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at Denver University. Chelsea started her career supporting peacekeeping efforts at the US Mission to the UN and working with civil society on atrocity prevention at the International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect. Chelsea has an MA in International Peace Studies from the UN Mandated University for Peace.