The Millennium Development Goals and Human Rights
Past, Present and Future

This volume sets out to disentangle the debate about the Millennium Development goals in theory and practice.

Malcolm Langford (Edited by), Andy Sumner (Edited by), Alicia Ely Yamin (Edited by)

9781107515246, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 March 2015

576 pages, 19 b/w illus. 37 tables
22.8 x 15.4 x 3.1 cm, 0.83 kg

'Could a future design of international development goals which strongly integrates human rights principles and standards be more powerful, in its impact for people, than the current framework of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)? The contributors to this book provide a wide range of perspectives on this question, drawing on experience since the 2000 Millennium Declaration and with the setting of a post-2015 Development Agenda in mind. These scholars and analysts provide well-timed lessons from the 'MDG era' and detailed proposals for ways in which a new global agenda could more clearly and consistently reflect the obligation of nations to pursue and respect the rights of all people, particularly those who are most disadvantaged and deprived.' Richard Morgan, Senior Advisor on Post-2015, UNICEF

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have generated tremendous discussion in global policy and academic circles. On the one hand, they have been hailed as the most important initiative ever in international development. On the other hand, they have been described as a great betrayal of human rights and universal values that has contributed to a depoliticization of development. With contributions from scholars from the fields of economics, law, politics, medicine and architecture, this volume sets out to disentangle this debate in both theory and practice. It critically examines the trajectory of the MDGs, the role of human rights in theory and practice, and what criteria might guide the framing of the post-2015 development agenda. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in global agreements on poverty and development.

1. Introduction: situating the debate Malcolm Langford, Andy Sumner and Alicia Ely Yamin
Part I. Perspectives: 2. Goals and rights: working together? James W. Nickel
3. The limits of human rights: the role of the MDGs Jan Vandemoortele
4. Master or servant? Development goals and human rights Mac Darrow
5. The political within the depoliticised: poverty measurement and implicit agendas in the MDGs Andrew M. Fischer
6. The economics of human rights and MDGs Milan Brahmbhatt and Otaviano Canuto
7. International development actors and human rights Siobhán McInerney-Lankford
Part II. Synergies and Conflicts in Different Goals: 8. Poverty, hunger and statistical progress Thomas Pogge
9. Sexual and reproductive health, rights and MDG 5: taking stock
looking forward Alicia Ely Yamin
10. The struggle against HIV/AIDS: rights, economics and global responsibility Gorik Ooms, Rachel Hammonds and Gregg Gonsalves
11. Education and HIV/AIDS: disability rights and inclusive development Michael Ashley Stein, Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo and Janet E. Lord
12. 'Slum' upgrading or 'slum' eradication? The mixed message of the MDGs Marie Huchzermeyer
13. International cooperation, MDG 8 and human rights Aldo Caliari and Mac Darrow
Part III. Framing the Post-2015 Agenda: 14. What issues will (re)define the post-2015 debate? Andy Sumner and Meera Tiwari
15. Beyond the romantic violence of the MDGs: development, aid and human rights Charles Gore
16. Integrating human rights and equality: a development agenda for the future Dan Seymour
17. Global norms and national politics: the case of social protection Armando Barrientos and David Hulme
18. Monitoring MDGs: a human rights critique and alternative Sakiko Fukuda-Parr and Joshua Greenstein
19. Rethinking the metrics of progress: the case of water and sanitation Malcolm Langford
20. Goals, rights and political economy: daring to break out of the liberal ideological box! Fantu Cheru
Part IV. Concluding Perspective: 21. Back to the future: reconciling paradigms or development as usual? Malcolm Langford, Alicia Ely Yamin and Andy Sumner.

Subject Areas: Human rights & civil liberties law [LNDC], International organisations & institutions [LBBU], International human rights law [LBBR], Law [L], Human rights [JPVH], United Nations & UN agencies [JPSN1]