We only have one world. The dignity of every individual is universal and indivisible. This conviction underlies our common struggle for human rights
Whereas people in the richer part of the world have experienced a phenomenal rise in living standards in the last 20 or 30 years, more than one billion people still live in abject poverty. They lack even the barest essentials and have no possibility of safeguarding themselves and their families against starvation and diseases that could otherwise be easily prevented and cured. This is the greatest challenge of our time.
Development policy is not about charity. Norwegian development policy is based on the fundamental principle that all people are equal in human dignity, and that development policy is therefore in essence a human rights agenda. Development policy is about the realisation of human rights for all. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the human rights conventions have all established that human rights are valid for each and every individual, without discrimination of any kind. Development policy is about all human rights, economic, social and cultural as well as civil and political rights. The fight againstpoverty is a fight for justice.
Norwegian development policy is based on a strong faith in the individual. It is the individual who creates development and a better future alone and together with others. The development process must therefore focus on the individual. Development policy must help to create an environment, both nationally and internationally, that will enable and empower individuals to create their own future.
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