Summary

In the present report, submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 33/14 and 60/7, the Special Rapporteur on the right to development, Surya Deva, elaborates on the meaning of “active, free and meaningful participation” in economic development-related decision-making. The participation of people and communities in development governance at different levels – local, provincial, national, regional and international – adds value to both the process and the outcomes of decision-making. To assist various decision makers in facilitating participatory development, he elaborates on preconditions for participation and proposes guidance on achieving participation in development for key actors, namely, States, national human rights institutions, United Nations entities, multilateral development banks, companies and civil society organizations.