| Session Title: Evaluating the Impact of Using a Human Rights Framework to Engender Social Change |
| Multipaper Session 314 to be held in Mineral Hall Section C on Thursday, Nov 6, 1:40 PM to 3:10 PM |
| Sponsored by the Advocacy and Policy Change TIG |
| Chair(s): |
| Taj Carson, Carson Research Consulting Inc, taj@carsonresearch.com |
| Abstract: Through funding for projects on a range of issues (housing, labor, gender, education, etc.), and throughout the country, the Mertz Gilmore Foundation seeks to determine the value and effectiveness of the human rights framework for tackling social, economic and/or political justice issues inside the U.S. Rather than merely funding good human rights work, the Foundation is funding projects that will provide good information about how human rights works. In order to learn more about the effectiveness of the human rights framework, the Foundation designed a two-stage evaluation process: (1) at the individual project level; and (2) across the entire program. This sessions represents finding from three of these projects. |
| Hitting One out of the Park: How the United Workers Association Won the Fight for a Living Wage at Camden Yards |
| Taj Carson, Carson Research Consulting Inc, taj@carsonresearch.com |
| The goal of the Living Wages at Camden Yards Campaign was to secure above-poverty working conditions for every cleaner at Camden Yards by the end of the 2008 season. The United Workers Association used a human rights framework to mobilize day laborers at Camden Yards and guarantee workers the current Baltimore city 'living wage' of $9.06 an hour. The evaluation of the Living Wages Campaign is designed to determine how the human rights framework was used by the UWA, what the impact of that framework was, and what impact contextual factors, such as the passage of a living wage bill in Maryland in the preceding year, had on the Campaign's efforts. The evaluation revealed that contextual factors and the direct action of the UWA combined to create pressure on the Maryland Stadium Authority that led to achievement of the living wage for the 2009 season. |
| Insight + Influence = Impact: An Evaluation of a United States Human Rights Project |
| Susan Lloyd, Lloyd Consulting Inc, slloyd@lloydconsulting.com |
| The evaluation of the From Poverty to Opportunity Campaign is assessing whether, to what extent, and how the use of a human rights framework contributes to a changed public discussion of extreme poverty that is reflected in the policymaking process at the state level, and influences the advocacy and communications of activists and legislative leaders. It is collecting information to see whether the application of the framework generates new insight and understanding; influences individual and institutional actions; and contributes, directly or indirectly, to specific outcomes. Thus far, the evidence argues for the efficacy of a human rights framework: the Campaign has resulted in a new and different public dialogue in about the right to live free of poverty; mobilized a broader base of constituents than previous anti-poverty efforts; and is on its way to passing legislation introduced in January 2008. |
| Using Human Rights to Increase Prisoner's Rights: An Evaluation of the Bridging the Gap Project at Stop Prisoner Rape |
| Robert Dumond, Consultant for Improved Human Services LLC, rwdumond@aol.com |
| Evaluation of Stop Prisoner Rape's "Bridging the Gap" project seeks to measure how incorporating international human rights principles into three (3) broad strategies in a prison setting can create increased safety and justice in the institution. Though a correctional setting creates a relatively unique challenges in applying traditional evaluation techniques, data is being collected to determine the impact on correctional staff attitudes and subsequent behavior, inmate awareness and choices, and institutional policies and procedures. Preliminary evidence appears promising, with some healthcare and security staff from demonstrating an increased awareness and more humane stance toward inmates. There equally is the recognition that the "messenger" imparting the knowledge may be as important as the message in creating change, and that ultimate climate change is significantly affected by senior agency leadership. Despite challenges, however, it may provide important knowledge to both evaluation practice and social change. |