Societal Development Report

Organized by PDHRE, The People's Movement for Human Rights Learning and at the invitation of the Delegation of the European Commission to the United Nations, a meeting was held to 'explore the conceptual content of “societal development” and potential applications of this concept in the process and operations of the international community and its institutions.' This report contains reflections on those deliberations, as well as contents of a background document prepared for participants by the PDHRE.

The document states that, in order to move away from vertical structures, such as patriarchies, to societal partnerships based on participation, there is a need to move from single-identity to pluri-identity societies. It describes the nature of the capacity to participate: "The capacity of citizens to participate in the common public space ultimately defines the societal cohesion and the building of communities, the achievement of the rule of law and of good governance as well as of peace and security and of economic, social and environmentally sustainable development."

It then analyses the function of identity, or belonging, as a key societal challenge to the extent that "[i]dentity-related humiliation, denial of dignity, exclusion and discrimination are among the root causes of disintegration in our societies."
Further, according to the document, the building of community as a shared sense of belonging in pluri-identity societies must be rooted in the fundamental values of human dignity, equality, and the rule of law, as well as the internalisation of otherness - noted as moving beyond tolerance of otherness. This process is recognised as the core of societal development.

The document emphasises that development, in the sense of sustainable use of mutual natural resources, depends on societal capacities for "inter-sectoral and long-term intergenerational responsibility." It cites similar attitudinal and values-driven patterns, based on dignity and rights, as essential to the creation and support of state and intersocietal structures that deal with challenges to peace and security, as well as the rule of law. Migration and refugee flows, as well as human trafficking and slavery, are highlighted in the document as challenges. Community responses of the "otherness as enmity" and single-identity community patterns, have historically caused conflict and societal disintegration.

Critical aspects of the concept of societal development are discussed, including the need to assess and address the capacity of a society for societal development, particularly in conflict and post-conflict peace-building efforts. Hence, human rights learning, socialisation, and education are key strategies for societal development. The document proposes that the Human Rights Cities programme launched by PDHRE provides a practical, viable model of an operational programme already in place.

Based on the 2005 World Summit Outcome report and the expectations of the Millennium Development Goals, the document indicates a "shared necessity" to address societal development and the need for a participatory process in policy formation around it.

In recognition of a need for new policies, programmes, and operational activities dealing with social development, the document lists the follow among its next steps:

• An International Commission to conceptualise societal development with input from a broad-based advisory group including the United Nations, governments, non-governmental organisations, academicians, civil society, business, inter-governmental organisations, and, particularly, those working on issues of development, peace, and security.
• A report of this body on the challenges of societal disintegration and change, and on the evolution of pluri-identity societies with new capacities to safeguard human dignity, human rights, security, and peace - as well as on the potential of human rights-related programmes of education and socialisation.
• An assessment of concrete achievements of Human Rights Cities as potential models.
• Both the integration of "societal development" into conflict prevention, post-conflict peace-building, and development programmes; and the effort to sustain "societal development" on the international policy agenda.
• Consideration of a "societal development" index, which would "reflect capacities for societal cohesion, inclusion, otherness, and the effective protection and development of human dignity."
• Broadening partnership and participation around this issue, with particular attention to involving youth and women.