The Need for Advanced Skills and R&D in the Developing World

              The Latin Americans shouldn't miss the focus on development, education, peace, justice, democracy and human rights. For almost two decades I've been writing online about the importance of these issues for a better life to everyone.   I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.       This post is a summary of two articles. The frist was published at https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/education/local-problems--local-solutions--the-need-for-advanced-skills-an. The second published https://www.ipea.gov.br/cts/en/all-contents/articles/articles/264-r-defficiency-in-brazil

                                           Education is part of the enabling infrastructure required for jobs, social development, and future economic growth. Unfortunately, low-and-middle-income countries face an urgent skills crisis with nearly 70% of children unable to read a simple text by age 10. While focusing on the foundations makes sense, developing countries allocates less than 20% of their government education budgets to tertiary education, and less than 2% of their GDP to R&D. This limits their capacity for advanced research and innovation. By contrast, high-income countries spend more than 3% of their much larger GDP on R&D, in addition to private contributions and far larger tertiary education budgets. Some argue that the developing world's limited higher education and R&D sector shouldn't be alarming, while innovate tech can simply be imported from high-income countries. This argument misses a simple point: local problems often demand local solutions. In high-income countries, where malaria is rare, armyworms don't threaten agriculture, and sweet potatos are not central to the diet, there is little incentive to study these foreign topics. Indeed, new research shows that tech developed overseas are often "inappropriate" for domestic markets. For example, crop pests and pathogens pose major threats to agricultural productivity worldwide. While each pathogen found in the U.S. shows up in roughly 57 agricultural patents on average, those found outside the U.S. appear in only 11. The authors estimate that this innovation "mismatch" reduces global agricultural productivity by more than 40% and increases productivity gap between high-and low-income nations by 15%. Initiatives to bolster advanced skills and R&D in developing countries, such as Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence, have shown great promise in closing this innovation gap. Since 2014, the program has partnered with more than 50 higher education institutions across Africa to support faculty, training, and R&D.                                                                                                                                                                                    There is a widespread consensus that innovation representsa source of economic development and the transformation of society. Based upon this perception, several countries adopt targets to increase their R&D investments as a way of reaching higher levels of development. The Europe 2020 strategy, for example, stated that 3% of the E.U. GDP should be invested in R&D. In 2017, R&D investments in Brazil as a percentage of GDP reached 1.26%. Although higher than other Latin American countries such as Argentina and Mexico, R&D investments in Brazil are much smaller than in developed countries. Given its relatively low levels of R&D investments, Brazil must not only raise them, but also increase their efficiency in order to convert local efforts into scientific and technological results. However, the efficiency of R&D investments is not a frequent subject in the literature. As a result, in order to measure and compare R&D efficiency indicators, it is necessary to define them first. Brazil produced 3.76 citable documents per US$ million R&D expenditures mainly financed by the government. As a result, the scientific efficiency of R&D expenditures in Brazil is about 35% of Australia's, 50% of China's and 75% of the U.S. The result indicate that the scientific efficiency of R&D expenditure in Brazil is low. Although more efficient than Argentina and Russia, Brazil showed a scientific efficiency of R&D personnel of about half of several countries (including China and Mexico). Although in this article we just point to the problem (and not to its cause), the role of all these factors must be investigated in order to tackle with it.

The Intersection of Psychology and Human Rights

                   This post is a tribute to all victims that suffered injustice and have had their human rights violated, to all human rights defenders who help to bring justice and truth for anyone looking for them, and to all victims that are fighting now for truth, justice and dignity. We all should participate in this fight because it is very important to fight against injustice. Without justice the violations can spread because the perpetrators feel they can do more and more and then we'd are all surviving in this nightmare called dystopia that would become an evil system difficult to combat. Therefore, help fighting human rights violations and injustice, when many abuses have systematically been done for so long time, the justice is even more important.  Do not think you are unreachable. We all must record any violation of human rights happening now. The systematic violations, the impunity, the daily bullying on TV, the indirectly threats about the creation of lies exist to do the victims give up to fight for justice, democracy and political rights. Besides, the violations, the systematic abuses, the daily humiliation and decades of impunity can have a dehumanizing effect in the population, do not let this happens, the solidarity and empathy are the essence of all human being.    This post is a summary of two articles. The first with the incomplete title above was published in 2024 at https://www.bps.org.uk/blog/intersection-psychology-and-human-rights-why-both-matter-more-ever. The second was published by the A.I. from Google.

                       Psychology, a field dedicated to understanding and improving the human condition, plays a vital role in advancing human rights by supporting mental health, combating discrimination, and advocating for marginalised communities. At its core, human rights are about protecting human dignity, wellbeing and freedom, issues that are deeply connected to psychological health and wellbeing. Psychology has evolved to not only recognise but also actively address the profound impact of human rights violations on mental health. Traumas caused by violence, persecution and discrimination leave lasting psychological scars, influencing people's semse of identity, self-worth, dignity and security. When human rights are compromised, mental health starts to deteriorate. Studies show that individuals who face oppression, persecution, or discrimination experience significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders. Consider the enduring trauma experienced by survivors of abuse and discrimination. The concept of trauma-informed care, widely adopted in psychology and healthcare, underscores the importance of understanding how trauma affects people's lives and behaviour. Psychology's emphasis on trauma-informed care aligns closely with human rights principles. It prioritises dignity, compassion and a person-centred approach, which acknowledges that everyone has a right to safety, understanding and compassionate care. Mental health support should not be a privilege, but a right available to all. Psychologists around the world are increasingly advocating for policies that make mental health services more accessible, affordable and culturally informed. By working with policymakers, providing expert testimony and conducting research that sheds light on human rights abuses. In some cases, psychologists speak out against practices that perpetuate injustice or harm, aligning with human rights advocates to address the structural factors that create and sustain inequality. While psychology often focuses on healing and recovery, it also emphasises resilience and empowerment, especially when facing adversity. Community psychology, a field closely aligned with human rights, focuses on empowering communities to address issues that affect their members' wellbeing. They often work with grassroots organisations and local leaders to address challenges such as discrimination and injustice, helping individuals advocate for their rights and foster sustainable change. The intersection of psychology and human rights reflects a shared vision: A world where every person can live with dignity, free from fear and oppression, and with access to the support they need to thrive. It's worth reflecting on the ways psychology can continue to support human rights through healing, empowerment and advocacy. In a world where inequality and injustice remain persistent. Commitment to understanding and supporting human needs makes it an essential ally in the fight for human rights.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The intersection of psychology and human rights lies in psychology's role in supporting, advocating for, and understanding human rights, which includes addressing the psychological harm of violations, promoting well-being, and using scientific methods to support legal and policy efforts. Psychology provides the knowledge to understand the devastating effects of oppression, discrimination, and trauma, while human rights frameworks offer the principles and ethical guidelines for psychologists to act on. This intersection is evident in clinical practice with survivors of abuse, in research to document rights violations, and in advocating for policy changes to promote dignity and justice. How psychology supports human rights: 1) Healing and empowerment: Psychologists provide therapy and support to survivors of human rights violations, such as torture and sexual violence, focusing on healing trauma and empowering individuals to have a voice.  2) Evidence and advocacy: Psychologists can use their methodological skills to document human rights violations and provide expert evidence for legal proceedings, such as asylum claims. They can also provide support through amicus briefs on important legal cases. 3) Promoting well-being: Psychology contributes to understanding and promoting psychological, social, and economic well-being, which are integral to human rights. This includes advocating for equal access to mental and physical healthcare. 4) Understanding systemic issues:     Psychology helps explain the psychological roots of discrimination and prejudice, which can be used to develop more effective interventios. 5) Ethical framework: Psychology has an ethical code that requires psychologists to act in ways that protect and promote human rights regardless of their specific field.

Beyond Ballots: What Global Justice Movements Teach Us About Democracy, Power and Possibility

               The worldwide movement for justice, democracy, human rights, political inclusion and my political rights is becoming stronger than ever. Once I'd like to thank all demonstration of support for my activism and political rights. It is good to know that both, my online activism that next year will complete two decades and my offline activism for decades is being recognized as a force for democracy and human rights. This worldwide movement has became so huge, intense and prevalent in the last five years that nobody can deny its existence. Since 2020,  I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.  https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010. Never a human rights defender has been so much harmed and bullied for so long time.       This post is a summary of the article with the title above, published in 5th November 2024 at https://www.alliancemagazine.org/blog/beyond-ballots-what-global-social-justice-movements-teach-us-about-democracy-power-and-possibility/

                       While elections results matter, they are not the full story. Movements worldwide remind us that democracy neither begins nor ends at the ballot box. It is about the right of people to make decisions over the everyday essentials that shape their lives, access to clean water, air, food, housing, and more. At the centre of these struggles are people, who are working to build democratic systems that meet their needs and dreams. True democraccy is inherently interconnected, not confined by national borders, it requires creating just systems, not just passing policies and it flourishes when people have space to come together, learn, and organize. Understanding democracy in this way is crucial for how we address today's challenges and for the role that philanthropy must play in supporting a more just and equitable future. The forces eroding democratic rights in the U.S. are not isolated. They are part of a wider, global phenomenon. The same disinformation campaign that have plagued Brazil, from false narrative about Indigenous rights to the spread of anti-vaccine rhetoric, mirror tactics seen in the U.S. and Europe. Russia interference, including the spread of disinformation during the 2016 U.S. elections, further highlights how threats to democracy cross borders. Movements recognise this interdependence. As they work to shift conditions in their countries, they often exercise solidarity beyond their borders. In 2007, building on this vision, 500 small-scale farmers from 80 countries gathered in Mali to create the Nyéléni Declaration. The gatherings became a cenral space for the food sovereignty movement to articulate shared goals and strategies. Today, the movement has grown into a network spanning Latin America, Africa and Asia, where small farmers share strategies with counterparts to resist land grabs and push for policies that support small-scale farming. Philanthropy needs to recognize that democracy can't be won or lost in isolation. The fate of democracy is interdependent and the forces eroding it or building it are inextricably linked across borders. by investing in movements for sovereignty and democracy, philanthropy can amplify these ripple effects, strengthening the resilience of communities against authoritarianism and ensuring that solidarity and democratic values are fortified worldwide. Supporting cross-border alliances and mutual learning between movements helps build a global network capable of resisting shared threats and imagining new futures together. At its core, democracy relies on the active engagement of its citizens. Yet, it is often narrowly defined as a set of policies designed to ensure voting rights, civil liberties, or free speech. But this understanding isn't enough. Policies may set the framework for democracy, but they don't protect it nor they guarantee changes. Recent years have shown how fragile these frameworks can be and how gains in equality can quickly be undermined without deeper cultural and systematic change. Without just, equitable systems and daily practices of accountability, even the best policies are hollow. Global justice movements show that democracy is far more than what happens at the ballot box, It's about creating systems where both people and the planet can thrive. Many movements engage in 'multisolving', addressing interconnected issues all at once. They remind us that true democracy is about more than policy, it's about the power of communities to shape the systems and the environment. By building governance rooted in equity and respect for the earth, they show that democracy is most resilient when grounded in justice. Philanthropy has a vital role to play. Movements are the lifeblood of democracy, they cultivate an engaged citizenry, challenge entrenched power, and build resilient communities. Supporting these movements means equipping people to reimagine the systems that govern their lives, from economies to ecosystems. Democracy is more than a policy goal, it's a living practice that thrives when we have the power to create just and sustainable systems. Philanthropy can strengthen democracy's roots by backing the long-term efforts of those on the frontlines, ensuring that pursuit of justice is grounded in the needs and visions of the people. At its core, democracy is about people exercising their collective power. Democracy is forged in the daily efforts of people coming together, creating spaces, strategise together and push forward even when the odds are against them. Popular education has been a critical tool for this work around the world, helping people build political consciousness and resilience. For democracy to truly flourish, movements need to grow, they need to expand their political education work. Democracy is built from the ground up, through people learning together, daring to question the status quo, and organising to bring change. To win, we must make sure movements have the conditions they need to drive lasting changes. The strength of democracy anywhere depends on its defense everywhere

International Day of Democracy - 2025 - Part II

                   Almost two weeks ago, all the world celebrated the democracy. This text below was originally written by Chat-GPT, and I did some little changes on the original text.  I hope you enjoy your reading and understand the urgent task we all have to defend our human rights, our right to free speech, and the right that we all have to participate in the democratic process. And after this understanding join us in this worldwide movement for more democracy, political inclusion, my political right, governmental transparency, solidarity, human rights, justice, security and truth. And for more democracy, we need more activists candidates and more equality among the candidates.

               Every year, the International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity for people, governments, and institutions to reflect on the values that lie at the heart of free and fair societies. In 2025, the chosen theme—**“Democracy and Inclusion in an Age of Insecurity”**—is both timely and urgent. Around the globe, societies are grappling with insecurity in many forms: political instability, violent conflict, climate disasters, technological disruption, and growing inequality. At such a moment, the challenge is not only to preserve democratic systems but also to ensure that democracy remains inclusive, resilient, and responsive to the needs of all people.                                                                        Democracy is more than periodic elections. It is a framework of participation, accountability, and respect for human rights. Yet, insecurities of our time threaten to erode trust in democratic institutions. Economic crises make citizens doubt whether democracies can deliver prosperity. Misinformation campaigns and authoritarian tendencies fuel polarization and weaken social cohesion. Wars and geopolitical rivalries destabilize entire regions, displacing millions and leaving them voiceless. In this climate, marginalized groups—whether defined by gender, ethnicity, disability, or socioeconomic status—often bear the heaviest burdens. To speak about “democracy and inclusion” today means addressing these structural inequalities head-on.                       Inclusion lies at the core of democratic legitimacy. A democracy that excludes is a contradiction in terms. When any person is left outside the elections or the decision-making processes, societies lose valuable perspectives and weaken their democratic fabric. In an age of insecurity, exclusion magnifies grievances and can deepen instability. Conversely, inclusive democracies that guarantee equal participation and representation are better equipped to manage crises, because people see themselves reflected in the democratic system and thus remain invested in its survival. Technology represents both a promise and a peril for inclusion. Digital platforms allow citizens to organize, express their views, and mobilize across borders. At the same time, online spaces are often exploited to spread hate, manipulate information, and silence vulnerable voices. Safeguarding democracy today requires creating digital environments where participation is accessible, respectful, and protected from abuse. Governments, civil society, and private actors must work together to ensure that technology strengthens, rather than undermines, democratic inclusion.                                                                  Another pressing dimension of insecurity is the systematic human rights violations. Extreme policies to fight illegal immigration, insecurity, and freedom of speech are already challenging rule of law, international conventions and communities worldwide. Democracies that fail to include the voices of those most affected—such as human rights defenders,  communities leaders, activists, journalists and candidates to public offices risk enacting policies that are insufficient or unjust. A democratic and electoral systems that is inclusive, transparent, and participatory not only protects societies but also reinforces democratic legitimacy.  The theme also reminds us that insecurity does not justify authoritarian shortcuts. Too often, leaders exploit crises to consolidate power, restrict freedoms, or exclude certain groups under the guise of national security. True security is not merely the absence of immediate threats; it is the presence of justice, equality, and rights for all. Democracies that respect and empower all citizens are stronger in the face of challenges because they can draw on the creativity, resilience, and trust of their people.                                                                                            As we mark the International Day of Democracy in 2025, the message is clear: democracy must adapt without abandoning its foundations. Inclusion is not an optional ideal; it is a necessity for survival in insecure times. Policymakers must prioritize participation and representation in every reform. Civil society must continue to advocate for excluded voices in the politics. Citizens themselves must recognize their role in defending democratic values through active engagement, critical thinking, and solidarity with one another. Democracy has always been a work in progress. In today’s age of insecurity, its future depends on our collective commitment to making it inclusive. A democracy that listens, protects, and empowers all people will not only endure but also thrive, proving itself to be the most resilient answer to the insecurities of our age.

International Day of Democracy - 2025

               There is not democracy without human rights and there is not human rights without democracy. The worldwide movement for justice, democracy, human rights, political inclusion and my political rights is becoming stronger than ever. Once I'd like to thank all demonstration of support for my activism and political rights. It is good to know that my online activism that next year will complete two decades is being recognized as a force for democracy and human rights. This worldwide movement has became so huge, intense and prevalent in the last five years that nobody can deny its existence. Since 2020,  I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.  https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.  This post is a summary of three articles. The first was published at https://www.un.org/en/observances/democracy-day. The second was published at https://www.idea.int/events/international-democracy-day-brussels-2025-conference. The third was published at https://www.facebook.com/parwanekhanum.pkwo

                  Democracy draws its strength from people: their voice, their choices, and their participation in shaping their societies. It flourishes when rights are protected, particularly for those most often left behind. The Day of Democracy 2025 U.N. Scretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted, "the courage of people everywhere who are shaping their socities through dialogue, participation, and trust" deeming these efforts as more vital than ever "at a time when democracy abd the rule of law are under assault from disinformation, division and shrinking civic space." The U.N. Democracy Fund will host an event to highlight how democratic participation can be transformed "From Voice to Action". For 20 years, the U.N. Democracy Fund has played a crucial role in advancing democratic values across the globe. Through funding more than one thousand initiatives, U.N.D.E.F. has become a vital force in helping people shape their own future through dialogue, civic engagement, and democratic innovation. We celebrate not only the Fund's achievements, but also the courage of the individuals and communities it support, those who continue to defend democracy as a force for dignity, inclusion and peace.                                                                                                                                                               The International Democracy Day (IDD) Brussels Conference convenes global thought leaders, organisations and decision-makers in Brussels for dialogue on defending and advancing democracy. This year's theme,"A World Turned Upside Down: Democracy and Inclusion in an Age of Insecurity", addresses the urgent links between inclusive democracy, global security, and Europe's role in an increasingly volatile world. For 30 years, International IDEA has been a leader in providing comparative data and publications and convening with partners to champion democratic values across the globe. The IDD Brussels Conference 2025 opening session will mark International IDEA 's 30th anniversary unpacking how inclusion strengthens democracy and contributes to peace and security. The session will explore how democratic values can be embedded in international partnerships to promote mutual benefit and cooperation between the global north and south.                                                                                                                                              This year's theme for the International Day of Democracy 2025 is, "Democracy and Inclusion in a Age of Insecurity", remind us that democracy can only flourish when it is inclusive, participatory, and resilient against today's global challenges. At Parwane Khanum, we are committed to empowering communities, amplifying voices, and ensuring that inclusion remains at the heart of democratic progress. Let's work together to protect democratic values, safeguard civic spaces, and build a future where no voice is left unheard.

Reclaiming the Lost Century of Growth

               I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.  https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.    This post is a summary of the book with the title above, published in 2025 at https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/cbff530e-59b2-4f9c-b84e-e33e7f1f0a53/content

                   The growth strategy of the Latin America region has come under scrutiny. The indisputable fact is that growth in the region, even in the best-performing countries, remains too low to generate quality jobs and social progress. From 2010 to 2018, GDP grew on average 2.2%. Forecasts today are scarcely better, hovering around 2.5%. Further, the region tends to remain underdiversified and dependent on commodities. This disappointing performance is not a recent problem, nor are its causes new, nor is it particular to one economic model, nor will it be cured by a return to the industrial policies of the past. The region's history is full of missed opportunities for productivity growth and diversification that extends to recent decades. LA has experienced a prolonged income trap over a very long period of time. This volume argues that the cause lies in the region's frustrated process of becoming "learning economies." Development is fundamentally an experimental process of learning about new tech or ideas that can lead to  firms and areas comparative advantage. It is not enough for information to flow, countries need to learn how to assimilate these tech and to be able expanding the tech gap between advanced economies and exploit new opportunities for growth. In LA's lost century of growth arose because t did not "learn how to learn" about the new advances arriving in the second industrial revolution. LA inablity to follow suit resulted in a lack of competitiveness that led not only to low growth, but also to an acute sense of dependency and demands for protection that morphed into distortive industrial policies that compounded the shorfalls in capabilities, rather than remedying them. LA countries invest far less than the advanced economies in innovation of all types. One explanation for this lack of investment is the absence of complementary factors, ranging from credit to skilled labor, and ther elements of the enabling environment. What does this imply for a 21st century growth strategy? Such strategy will require a set of reforms related to developing this learning capacity and actively seeking insertion in the global knowledge economy. Learning to use and leverage frontier knowledge requires participation of both the source and the receiving country. This focus on learning is even more relevant with the emerging trade in services, which is likely to be more important going forward than manufacturing, because the link between value added and the capabilities of the workforce is more direct. About 90% of Chinese patents, for example, are joint with Taiwanese or US companies suggesting that they should be seen more as "exports" of high-end engineering services. India is also upgrading from call centers to technical services exports with major US firms relocating there. The reason for the disappointing growth performance is straightforward: LA entered the second industrial revolution unarmed and unable to assimilate new technologies and manage the associated risk. Though in 1950s, foreign libraries were a better source of knowledge about LA mining than ones in LA. Further, throughout LA, there was a lack of demand for new technologies, and for the engineers necessary to exploit them. LA continues to be the child for the innovation paradox, ranking below average in innovation performance, from basic education outcomes to R&D, despite returns to nvestment that, in theory, could exceed 60%. Universities develop advanced skills through education and produce new knowledge through research. But they also have a third mission, to provide knowledge public goods with respect to innovation, technology, and firm capabilities. They serve as antennae to identify new ideas, help adapt and diffuse knowledge and bring new knowledge to market by serving as seedbeds for new industries. Universities in LA fall short in their 3 mission. In education, to be fair, LA problems begin early on, with foundational skills. LA continues to lag comparable countries in basic math and writing. Learning proficiency (the fraction of children 10-14 years old who can understand a text) in the median LA is 41%, roughly half that of East Asia and Europe. Similar deficits exist in higher education. Further, though access to higher education is high, only half of enrolled students graduate, among graduates, only 17% obtain a degree in a field related to science, tech, engineering and math,(STEM) thus tying LA with Sub-Saharan Africa for last place among regions. Research output is low relative to comparable countries and has little impact. In the SCImago Institutions Ranking for innovation, which gives equal weight to the number of patent applications, % of publication output cited in patents, and number of publications cited in patents, LA accounts for only 0,5% of the world's top 1,000 universities. This % is second to last after Sub-Saharan Africa. The third mission is largely absent among LA universities. Firms in LA report less interaction with industry in R&D activities than in any other region. Joint academic-industry patents per 100,000 people over the last 6 years reached 0.5 in LA compared to close to eight for Spain and US. Whatever the drivers, the collaboration between universities and the private sector is not only a driving force in innovation ecosystems such as Silicon Valley in the US, but has also been critical to the Asian and Nordic success stories in every sector, from forestry to microchips. Taking a focus on technology-based firms the number of startups has increased, but their prevalence remains low. The region has also experienced a rise in unicorns (firms with capitalization of more than US$1 billion) to 52 in 2022 from a mere four 5 years earlier. While this is good news, NYC alone is home to 9,000 tech startups worth over US$189 billion, and the low value of unicorns as a share of GDP in LA, at 1.4%, is above only one region, Sub-Saharan Africa. There is increasing evidence that progress can be made in increasing the supply of  entrepreneurs. The region, however, starts from a disadvantage: both the weak educational fundamentals and the low density of STEM graduates means that there is a weak pipeline of potential tech entrepreneurs. A 2024 report by the European Commission on competitiveness in Europe points to weighty government regulation and labor market rigidities as barriers to entrepreneurship, and LA ranks poorly in both. Large firms in Brazil have more staff dedicated to taxes than to R&D. Increasing productivity growth and diversification through innovation is the only long-term solution to alleviating poverty and promotion social mobility. To conclude, growth occurs only by a process of informed bets on new tech, processes, products, and markets that, if well selected, generate gains in value added over time. Development might be thought of as the process through which economies and societies learn how to learn. This requires learning on the part of the private sector, but also on the part of the government that needs to begin setting an enabling environment that facilitate technological adoption and then encourages learning by firms and potential entrepreneurs.

E.U. Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2027

             The Action Plan was originally adopted for 2020-2024 but was extended by the Council to 2027 with the ain to align it with the EU budget cycle. The EU monitors its implementation in the form of the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World. If you want to read more about this extension access this link, https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-extends-its-action-plan-human-rights-and-democracy-until-2027. We all must help reinforce democratic and humanitarian values around the world. And of couse demand respect for all 30 rights of the UDHR, including political rights for all and justice and reparations when there are human rights violations, even more if these violations are happening for decades. In Brazil we need a more inclusive, transparent and egalitarian electoral system. This post is a summary of the book with the title above published https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/fil/eu_action_plan_on_human_rights_and_democracy_2020-2024.pdf

             EU leadership on human rights and democracy is needed more than ever. Autocracies grow in strength and in numbers around the world, many have faced litle pressure to curb their abuses. At the same time, new challenges are obliging us to update our thinking and policies. For instance, the speed with which surveillance and Artificial Intelligence technology is proliferating among the world's worst violators is staggering. Defending human rights and democratic principles is a collective exercise. No country, no matter how powerful can match the credibility of the international community acting through its institutions. The EU needs to live up to its ideals. Doing so will take significant work. It is clear that an EU foreign policy firmly grounded on human rights greatly benefits EU security and prosperity. Data demonstrates that governments that respect human rights are more reliable allies, stronger trading partners, and better stewards of regional peace and long-term international stability. The crucial question then is how can the EUstrengthen its leadership on human rights and democracy? This Action Plan proposes 5 lines of action, ranging from holding human rights abusers to account by sharpening the human rights toolbox through a new global sanctions regime, to protecting and empowering human rights defenders and ensuring that new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence promote and do not hinder human rights. In sum, this new Action Plan is about specific priorities to advance human rights and democracy around the world. These actions are meaningful and achievable and we must follow closely the progress we make. Implementing these actions will leave Europeans safer and our alliances more durable. Throughout its history, the EU has served as a champion of human rights. Now is the time to build a post-Covid world where the rights and freedoms of people are protected globally. In Europe, we have long learned that when the rights of one person come under attack, the rights of others are vulnerable and it diminishes us all. Today, the need for effective, coherent, strong collective action on human rights and democracy is even more imperative. This action plan sets out overaching priorities and objectives which will translated and implemented in the next five years at all levels. In operational terms, the 5 lines of action will be implemented on the ground in partner countries.  1) Protecting and Empowering Individuals - It means ensuring that everyone can enjoy civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Empowering all people involves enabling them to realise their full potential as equal active members of society. Respect for human rights are the cornerstone of societal cohesion, solidarity and trust between the state and citizens.  2) Building Resilient, Inclusive and Democratic Societies - Such societies are built on transparent and accountable institutions, representative parliaments and engaged citizens, and provide s safe and enabling environment for civil society, and independent media to voice concerns, influence policies, and monitor decision-makers. Human rights and democracy are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.  3) Promoting a Global System for Human Rights and Democracy - Promoting a global system for human rights and democracy is at the core of the EU's commitment to strengthening multilateralism. Strengthen the role of the UN Human Rights Council in upholding universal respect for human rights, including by addressing situations of violations of human rights. Support the International Criminal Court as a cornerstone in fighting impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.   4) New Technologies: Harnessing Opportunities and Addressing Challenges. - New technologies can contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights and democracy, including by making public participation easier and more effective, facilitating the documentation of violations and abuses, and supporting online activism. However, these technologies can also have a negative impact, such as spreading disinformation and hate speech, enabling new forms of violence, and violations of the right to privacy, facilitating access to specific illegal content including child exploitation, widespread surveillance limiting freedom of expression and reducing civil society space, reinforcing discrimination and structural inequalities. This possible negative impact must be prevented and countered.  5) Delivering by Working Together - The EU institutions and Member States will work together to inplement it in a joined-up approach, and with exchange of good practice and knowledge. The EU Special Representative for Human Rights is a key political actor and will play a central role in guiding implementation of the action plan in order to deliver sustainable progress. The European Parliament has a distinct role and importance in contributing to the promotion of human rights and supporting democracy.