Rights & Development

...putting human rights at the center of development policy

WOLA works for sustainable strategies to reduce poverty, address the factors behind migration, and protect the full range of economic, social and cultural rights.

Featured Content

Guatemalan mining raises human rights concerns

The Global Development and Environment Institute (GDAE) at Tufts University has just released a study that examines a controversial gold mining project in Guatemala
3 Oct 2011
Publication
The issues raised in the study have implications for extractive industry projects and for human rights and social justice activists who follow these projects.

CEDECO Speech at WOLA Human Rights Awards (with intro)

21 Sep 2011
Video
On September 13, 2011, WOLA honored CEDECO (The Education Corporation for Costa Rican Development) for promoting a successful and climate-smart economic model for small-scale farmers in Central America.

Protecting Mexican Guest Workers and Seeking a Saner Migration Policy

30 Sep 2011
Publication
Adam and WOLA Senior Associate for Rights and Development Vicki Gass talk with Chuck Barrett, a consultant to Catholic Relief Services, about rural development, migration, and protecting the rights of agricultural guest workers from Mexico.

Rights & Development News & Analysis

Obama’s Opportunity to Publicly Express Support for Trade Unions in Colombia

Union Leader’s Murder Sends Chilling Message about Lack of Labor Rights Guarantees
12 Apr 2012
Analysis & Commentary
Impunity for murders and threats against labor organizers emboldens perpetrators. Virulent anti-union sentiment results in violence directed against trade unionists and labor activists.

Obama Poised To Give Presidential Seal of Approval To Gross Labor Rights Violations in Colombia

Analysis by Gimena Sanchez-Garzoli and Anthony Dest of WOLA and Dan Kovalik of the USW
11 Apr 2012
Analysis & Commentary
Despite continued anti-union violence, the high rate of impunity, serious impediments to union organizing, and the dire conditions faced by workers, President Obama is now poised to announce at the Summit of the Americas that Colombia has complied with the Labor Action Plan

Summit of the Americas: Walking the Walk on Partnership

5 Apr 2012
Analysis & Commentary
The presidents of the Americas (with some notable exceptions) will gather once again later this month. President Obama will likely again focus on partnership, engagement, and co-responsibility. These are the right ideas, and they can revolutionize our relationship with the hemisphere.

WOLA: Promoting Human Rights, Democracy, and Social Justice

22 Dec 2011
Video
As the year winds to a close, we hope you will enjoy this video about how WOLA works with partners in the region to advance human rights in Latin America. If you have not done so, we hope you will consider making a donation to WOLA to support our continued efforts. Your support makes a difference.
more

Stay Informed

Experts

Vicki Gass

Senior Associate for Rights and Development