HUMANITARIAN ACTION AS AN INSTRUMENT TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS: THE PRACTICES OF HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES IN COLOMBIA AND THEIR IMPACT (2006-2007)
This project conducted an analysis of the overall situation of the conflict from a clearly interdisciplinary view. The general objective was to pose humanitarian action as an instrument to protect human rights. For this purpose, the analysis centred on some humanitarian agencies which are considered vital in Colombia, in addition to the reality of human rights and the victims of the Colombian conflict. The main result of this project was the publication "Colombia en su laberinto. Una mirada al conflicto" (See Links) or (See in Publications)
COLLATION OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION EXPERIENCES
(2005-2006)
This research was conducted in consortium with the Alboan and Hegoa Foundation. The main objective was strengthening and spreading significant citizen participation practices, prompting awareness in our area of the Basque Country while making this impact felt in social organisations in Colombia, Costa Rica and Spain. Several publications resulted from this project. (See Links) or (See Publications)
ISLAMIC IDENTITY AND PUBLIC SPACES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY
This study has a double objective:
1) determine to what extent the elements which Moslems feel are key components of their Islamic identity are (in)compatible with certain institutional, legal or political structures in our society and
2) study the possibility of adjusting the compatible structures to said reality.
Islam: basic references of Islamic identities, European Islam: currents, references, key forms of expression. Islam in the globalisation process: Islam and postmodernity.
- Plurality, multiculturality, open or closed societies, State neutrality in religious or identity affairs; the idea of public space: conceptual framework.
- Religious or (religious identity) differences and democratic societies: comparative legal-political vision: analysis of international and domestic regulations and jurisprudence.
- Specific factors or elements (aspirations) which express Islamic identity in public spaces.
Analysis and possibility of reformulating current structures to better adapt to the Islamic identity: philosophical, political and legal changes.
ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN GUATEMALA
Research has mainly centred on analysing the role that the international community has played through different channels to implement and enforce the 1996 peace agreements.
The following specific objectives have also been set:
- Validate three methodological approaches such as gender, human rights and indigenous people's rights, analysing their progress in Guatemala after the peace agreements were signed.
- On the other hand, provide an analysis of the true impact of international cooperation in the country during the last decade by studying the role of the various actors that have intervened, strategies and approaches used and their influence on the peace process.
THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
The 50th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights marks a key moment to conduct research on the Declaration's origins and framework. Funded by the Basque Government Department of Education, the project was completed and published in 1999. It analyses the Declaration’s beginnings and content; its development and implementation, particularly through the 1966 treaties; its legal value; the ethical-ideological meaning of the Universal Declaration; the historical-ideological precedents; and the debate on its universal nature. An appendix with a panoramic view of human rights violations fifty years after the declaration is also included.
THE SITUATION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN SPAIN
This research aims to determine the social and legal situation of illegal immigrants in Spain. This study was originally sponsored by the Jesuit Refugee Service, with the intention of conducting simultaneous studies in Great Britain and Germany. The field work was conducted in Andalusia, Catalonia, the Basque Country, Madrid and Murcia. The study was completed and the results were published in 1999.
THE CONFLICT IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
This research analyses the causes, development and current situation of the conflict in the African Great Lakes region. The aim is to draw conclusions from the most recent humanitarian crisis, its implications and humanitarian organisations’ actions. The study was conducted by Ladislas Bizimana and published in 1999.
HUMAN RIGHTS THEORIES AND PRACTICES IN AFRICA
This project, conducted by Mbuyi Kabunda, PhD, intends to make a diagnosis of the human rights situation in Africa, not only from the aspect of violations but also a possible African conception of human rights theory. The study was completed and published in 2000.
THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY
This research focused on identifying the current human rights situation in the Basque Country from a double perspective, legal and sociological. It also intends to support Basque Institutions in continuous improvement of promotion and defence of human rights in the Basque Country.
THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION AND THE BASQUE EXPERIENCE
The subject of self-determination is tackled from different approaches: a legal analysis of the right to self-determination, to identify its meaning and scope; an ethical analysis of said right, from the different approaches of current political philosophy; a study of how this right arises in political debate in the Basque Country; and a comparative study of how it is approached in other national or identity conflicts.
THE UNITY OF HUMANITARIAN STUDIES
This project was undertaken jointly with the Institute of Studies on Conflict and Humanitarian Action in Madrid and the NGO Doctors Without Borders and funded by the European Commission Department of Humanitarian Affairs-ECHO. The objective centres on analysis of the main humanitarian crises at the present time, their implications, humanitarian organisations’ actions and the lessons learned.
The first research stages have been completed, with the results published as a book by Editorial Icaria under the titles: The challenges of humanitarian action, closed doors: access to victims in humanitarian action and Population movements: humanitarian consequences.
THE SOLIDARITY ECONOMY AND ITS INCLUSION IN UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
The main objective consisted of preparing a proposal at the university level to include the solidarity economy in current curricula as a subject and a compulsory theme for reflection. This intends to serve as a focus reference point and clear contribution to improving well-being and justice in the Basque Country and Spain. It is organised according to the following four areas:
1) the solidarity economy in the framework of economic, social and cultural rights, 2) analysis of the current situation of the solidarity economy from the international to the local level, 3) analysis of the need for education, research and reflection on the solidarity economy, 4) a proposal for a model to include the solidarity economy in university curricula.