Governance and human rights are essential for human development and poverty reduction: A properly functioning public sector that abides by principles such as transparency and participation and remains accountable to the citizens contributes to human security in a country. A vigorous civil society that can articulate the needs of its poorest and most vulnerable members and demand their rights and a functioning legal system ensure peace, reduce poverty and protect the environment. The respect as well as the protection, promotion and fulfilment of all human rights, such as the right to freedom of speech or the right to water do not only contribute to freedom but are also essential for sustainable human development. The former Secretary-General of the United Nations underlined that "humanity will not enjoy security without development, it will not enjoy development without security, and it will not enjoy either without respect for human rights".

Over a third of the ongoing Austrian development projects and programmes are therefore aimed at actively promoting good governance and human rights as well as the development of democratic institutions and processes, which enable target populations to participate in policymaking.

Society takes part

Democracy promotion is understood in a very broad sense, comprising participation in planning local infrastructure projects as much as training journalists or promoting free media. Involving the poorest and most vulnerable segments of society in development projects does not just afford them new economic prospects, it also gives them the opportunity for social participation and empowerment. Additionally, parliamentarians as elected representatives need to be supported, because they play a key role for poverty reduction and national development. Therefore, Austrian Development Cooperation has been supporting parliaments since 2006 and undertakes together with its partner countries joint efforts to provide the necessary technical, administrative and physical capacity for professional political work.

The promotion of good governance and human rights

A transparent public sector, the fight against corruption, the promotion of legal certainty and rule of law are priorities of ADC. Responsible and responsive governments are the prerequisite for ensuring adherence to the principles of participation and non-discrimination and a thriving civil society.

Within Austrian Development Cooperation, the promotion of human rights takes place at three levels:

• Human rights principles like participation, non-discrimination and empowerment are considered in all activities;
• Specific projects promoting human rights are supported;
• Human rights are addressed in the political dialogue.

Thereby, the indivisibility, interrelatedness and interdependence of all human rights, civil and political as well as economic, social and cultural rights are an underlying principle. Thematically, child rights, rights of persons with disabilities and women's rights as well as the right to fair trial, political participation and empowerment are supported.