Wherever I am, the world comes after me.
It offers me its busyness. It does not believe that I do not want it.
Now I understand why the old poets of China went so far
and high into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist.
"The Old Poets of China" by Mary Oliver

Human Rights Impact Assessments: Dr. Durano Speaks in HRIA Workshop in Switzerland

Details
Category: News @ UP Asian Center

Dr. Marina Fe Durano, Assistant Professor at the Asian Center, spoke at an international workshop, “Making the Right Impact? Expert workshop on evaluating Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIAs) in trade and investment regimes,” from 17 to 18 September at the Ecumenical Institute, Chateau de Bossey, Switzerland.

Dr. Durano was part of a panel that tackled the following questions: (1) why are HRIAs an issue of concern, specifically in the fields of trade and investment? (2) what is the current situation in HRIAs of trade and investment? and (3) what are current challenges and opportunities?

In her lecture, Dr. Durano explained how HRIAs create an avenue for policymakers to link trade policy directly with the intended beneficiaries. She highlighted the challenges in attributing a particular trade policy to a specific human rights violation, as well as procedural gaps in people’s participation. She also encouraged strengthening governance structures to mobilize participation, and called for systemic data gathering relevant for HRIAs. Once these challenges are overcome, Dr. Durano argued that democratic structures of governance can be enhanced by an informed and active citizenry.

The workshop was organized by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations.

Dr. Durano teaches graduate courses at the Asian Center, including Socioeconomic Development of Southeast Asia (AS255.1), Industrialization and Urban Development in Asia (AS205), and Theories of Development (PS222). She obtained her PhD in Economics from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, and her BS and MA in Economics at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Her research interests include development economics, feminist economics, Philippine economic history, and trade and industrialization.

Dr. Durano received an “Outstanding Book Award” for co-authoring a book, “2012/2013 Philippine Human Development Report: Geography and Human Development” with Dr. Toby Monsod and Dr. Emmanuel de Dios. The award was given by the National Academy of Science and Technology at their Annual Scientific Meeting in July 2014.

The Asian Center offers MA degrees in Asian and in Philippine Studies. The Asian Studies program offers specializations in Northeast Asian Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, South Asian Studies, or West Asian Studies. The Center also has an M.A. program in Philippine Studies that allow students to specialize on Philippine society and culture, Philippine foreign relations, or Philippine development studies. The Center also offers a Ph.D. program in Philippine Studies in conjunction with the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. Like the Asian Center on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @upasiancenter.