UNESCO and UNICEF’s Human Rights-Based Approachudtowards EFA goals, Economically Wise or Irrational:udPolicy Analysis from Economic Perspective

摘要

An analysis is given of UNESCO and UNICEF’s current thinking and practice in theudeducation sector, especially on a human rights-based approach. Economicallyudirrational policy implementation can be a result of inefficiency and ineffectiveness ofudresource allocation; therefore, policy assessment is necessary. Moreover, the deadlineudfor EFA goals is approaching and it seems that EFA goals will not be met underudcurrent policy implementation by 2015. This paper bases its analysis on economicudtheory and offers policy implications and suggestions through a thought experimentudand empirical case studies. An analysis is conducted in two levels, general perspectiveudon education and specific aid projects/programmes. Analysing policies fromudeconomic perspective gives a new impression and dimension towards UNESCO andudUNICEF. This paper argues that a human rights-based approach is economicallyudrational and sustainable. Identifying rights-holders and duty-bearers cannot onlyudinduce demand and supply for education but also theoretically make individuals’uddemand for education to be more inelastic to the prices or costs of education.udHowever, in terms of effectiveness of project/programme investment, adjustmentsudare required in the process of project/programme implementation. As a result, thereudis an ambiguous tension between theoretical and practical issues. Policy implicationsudand suggestions are made accordingly.udKeywords: Policy analysis, Human rights-based approach, Multilateral donorudagencies