in theory and practice - Oxfam Canada

Oxfam Canada
In Theory & Practice
A workshop exploring Oxfam Canada’s rights-based approach to
development.
17

Session Outline
This session builds knowledge and attitudes through how Oxfam Canada
views development, and how Oxfam Canada operationalizes its vision of
development. Through group discussion on different development
perspectives, participants will be able to understand why Oxfam Canada
takes a rights-based approach. Participants will then explore an in-depth
case study of a particular Oxfam partner – ANAP.
Length of Session
1 Hour
Materials
Chart paper
Markers
Intended Group Size
40 People
Printed hand outs
Introduction (10 minutes)
Explain the activity and briefly guide participants through the goals of the
session, noted above, the structure of the session, and the background
information for the discussion activity.
Split the group into smaller groups of six to eight. The groups will be selfmoderated
with the facilitators walking around to help keep conversation
flowing.
Discussion (20 minutes)
The hand-out outlines three approaches to development (1) a rightsbased
approach (2) a needs-based approach, and (3) a market-based
approach. The hand out provides the following information on each
approach:
What is the approach?
How should we deal with this approach?
What actions can we take?
What are reasons to support this approach?
What are the reasons to oppose this approach?
Download the handout used in the activity.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pcJt9IEDs7i582y2Cex7rgyJ0aCGq
YsS2QqtJIq7kig/edit
Facilitators will ask groups to consider the following three questions over
the course of 20 minutes. Groups will self-moderate their discussion, with
the facilitators circulating to ensure questions are answered or to inject
thinking into the conversation.
18
Is one approach more effective than another at eradicating poverty?
Is one approach more effective than another at ensuring food
security?
Is one approach more effective than another at creating gender
equity?

If groups are being having a difficult time answering the questions above,
alternative questions can be used, including the following:
What do you like about this approach and/or what do you think are
the advantages of this approach?
What don’t you like about this approach and/or what do you think are
the challenges of this approach?
Does anything surprise you?
Coming back together (10 minutes)
The facilitator will ask that one person from each group to briefly
summarize something that surprised them or something that caused
varying opinions within their group.
Consider the following questions as a group:
How do you think different models of development were created?
Do you think one approach is more relevant today than others?
Oxfam Canada project (20 minutes)
The facilitator will briefly present a rights-based approach project or
program with a visual aid. This can be done by another facilitator, who
will draw corresponding drawings so that the audience can keep track of
the story. Instead of being a lecture style presentation, this will be a
story-style presentation of a project.
Then, ask if the students have any further questions.
This session was piloted with a summarized story of Oxfam Canada’s
Engendering Change Program with Cuban partners ANAP.
Download the story summery to create your own drawing here.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JeqHjtXY7AkTaau2UpbT6vSIWF2
xhBinMY567N0AiOE/edit?pli=1#heading=h.fmjqvnc620f1
19
If there are additional questions, contact the Oxfam Canada national
office at 613-237-5236

Participant Experience
What are different approaches to international development?
Rights-based approach: The rights holders do not have the ability (be that
knowledge, capacity, or resources) to fulfill their rights. It is most often women who
cannot fulfill their rights.
Needs-based approach: People living in poverty deserve help and support, no
matter who provides it and how long they can provide it for. Services should be
designed to target and meet the needs of the most vulnerable - mainly women and
marginalized groups.
Market-based approach: An economy with a fully able working population and an
enabling environment will experience sustainable, inclusive, and equitable
economic growth. It focuses on identifying economic opportunities for those in
poverty - specifically focusing on the role of women as economic and
entrepreneurial agents.
How does each approach best ensure food security?
Rights-based approach: Women produce upwards of 60% of food in most
developing countries – given their crucial role in food production and provision,
sustainable food security strategies must include ensuring access to land, credit
and other productivity enhancing inputs and services for women.
Needs-based approach: This perspective focuses on the basic human requires of
food, water, shelter and security – those in famine and drought stricken areas will
receive food aid or cash transfers.
Market-based approach: This approach looks to increase agricultural productivity
among all farmers (i.e. inputs such as land, credit, seeds, etc.) and connect
farmers and consumers to local markets to increase their market participation.
How does each approach best ensure food security?
Rights-based approach: Women produce upwards of 60% of food in most
developing countries – given their crucial role in food production and provision,
sustainable food security strategies must include ensuring access to land, credit
and other productivity enhancing inputs and services for women.
Needs-based approach: This perspective focuses on the basic human requires of
food, water, shelter and security – those in famine and drought stricken areas will
receive food aid or cash transfers.
Market-based approach: This approach looks to increase agricultural productivity
among all farmers (i.e. inputs such as land, credit, seeds, etc.) and connect
farmers and consumers to local markets to increase their market participation.
20

How do these theories work together to help poverty reduction?
The rights-based approach and market-based approach can work together to
address systemic issues in poverty and gender equality. First, by women leading
and realizing their own rights, second, by empowering women to become
economically active and productive, leading to prosperity and poverty reduction.
The needs-based approach is most effective in emergency situations, such as
drought or floods.
How do we see Oxfam’s approach in real life?
The rights-based approach can be conceptualized in many different ways, but the
example that was examined was the case of a farmer’s association in Cuba called
ANAP which represented thousands of farmers.
Oxfam Canada worked with ANAP to develop a gender strategy, and then helped
its implementation. Activities included spreading the gender strategy through
magazines and radio, conducting gender workshops, and the provision of a fund
that communities could use to further gender equality in their communities
(through sensitization activities).
What are next steps, goals, discussions, etc?
Discussion should continue on what exactly are the best approaches for food
security, women’s rights and poverty reduction
To help with tabling and communicating Oxfam Canada to others, ensure that your
group understands the differences of the three approaches and why Oxfam
Canada utilizes a rights-based approach
21

Resources
Batliwala, S. (n.d.). When rights go wrong – distorting the rightsbased
approach to development. Boston: Hauser Center for Nonprofit
Organizations. Retrieved from:
www.justassociates.org/WhenRightsGoWrong.pdf
Flynn, D. (2005). What’s wrong with rights? Rethinking human
rights and responsibilities. Australian Social Work 58(3), 244-256.
McClain-Nhlapo, C. (2004). Implementing a human rights approach to
food security. Retrieved from:
http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/pubs/pubs/ib/ib29.pdf
Mutua, M. (2008). Human rights: a political and cultural critique.
Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
Offenheiser, R.C.m and Holcombe, S.H. (2003). Challenges and
opportunities in implementing a rights-based approach to
development: an Oxfam America perspective. Nonprofit and Voluntary
Sector Quarterly 32, 268-301.
Poulton, C. And Dorward, A. (2003). The role of market based
economic development in strengthening food security. Retrieved
from: http://www.odi.org.uk/work/projects/03-food-securityforum/docs/markets_theme2.pdf
The World Bank (2012). World development report: gender equality
and development. Retrieved from:
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWDR2012/Resources/7778105-
1299699968583/7786210-1315936222006/Complete-Report.pdf
United Nations Population Fund. (n.d.). Women’s economic
empowerment: meeting the needs of impoverished women.
Retrieved from:
http://www.unfpa.org/webdav/site/global/shared/documents/publications/
2007/women_economic.pdf
22