By joining the global campaign “10, 100, 1000 Human Rights Cities and Territories by 2030,” N'Dali is making the bold and necessary choice to place human dignity at the heart of all its public policies. Our vision for 2030 is clear: to make our territory a place where human rights are not merely abstract concepts or distant international treaties, but a tangible reality that is experienced, protected, and upheld every day by every resident.
To achieve this ambition, we are guided by two fundamental convictions.
1. The Essential Role of Local Governments: Proximity as a Driver for the Realization of Rights
Human rights are not lived only within the halls of the United Nations; they are lived in our streets, schools, homes, and public spaces. In this regard, the role of N'Dali is absolutely essential, as we constitute the first level of governance in direct contact with citizens.
International treaties and national laws only acquire their full meaning when translated into concrete local actions. It is at the local level that effective access to fundamental rights is realized: the right to adequate housing, the right to education, the right to health, the right to a healthy environment, and the right to participate in public life. As a local authority, we are the closest guarantors of these rights.
Our unique position enables us to identify precisely the inequalities and vulnerabilities specific to our territory. We are best placed to reach marginalized, invisible, or underserved populations. By acting locally, we transform the universality of human rights into an inclusive reality, adapting our responses to the actual needs of women, youth, persons with disabilities, minorities, and people living in precarious situations.
The city is the laboratory of local democracy; therefore, it is here that the culture of respect for and protection of rights must first be built.
2. Human Rights as a Compass and Framework for Local Governance
Why choose human rights as the framework guiding our action? Because they provide a universal, non-negotiable, and cross-cutting ethical compass. Integrating a human rights-based approach into our administration means adopting a new paradigm: residents are no longer viewed simply as service users or beneficiaries, but as rights holders, while the local government fully embraces its role as a duty bearer responsible for guaranteeing those rights.
This framework is operationally valuable for several reasons:
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It ensures policy coherence: It helps break down silos within local government action. For example, an urban development project is no longer seen solely as a technical matter, but as an initiative that raises questions about the right to the city, universal accessibility, social diversity, and the safety of everyone, particularly women and children in public spaces.
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It strengthens accountability and participation: Human rights require transparency and the active participation of citizens in decision-making processes. In practice, this translates into participatory democracy mechanisms, participatory budgeting, and dialogue platforms with civil society, enabling residents to hold their local administration accountable.
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It is the foundation of sustainable development: Human rights are inseparable from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. The fundamental principle of “leaving no one behind” is inherently a human rights principle. By embracing it, we ensure that our ecological transition, economic development, and social cohesion are pursued in a fair and equitable manner.
Our Commitment for 2030
By 2030, N'Dali commits to being much more than a local government that simply complies with the law. We aspire to be a territory that actively promotes dignity.
This will involve training our staff in the human rights-based approach, developing rights-sensitive budgets, systematically combating all forms of discrimination, and co-designing policies with those who are too often excluded from decision-making processes.
By joining this global movement, we affirm that the future of our territory is built upon the enduring foundation of human rights. We invite all our partners, civil society organizations, and citizens to join us on this path toward a fairer, more supportive, and genuinely human city.
Our municipal administration wishes to join the campaign “10, 100, 1000 Human Rights Cities and Territories by 2030” out of deep conviction and as part of our governance strategy.
First, this commitment anchors our local action within a recognized international framework, aligning our public policies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fundamental international treaties.
Second, it provides us with the opportunity to become part of a dynamic network for exchanging good practices, thereby strengthening the capacities of our staff and improving the effectiveness of our services in addressing contemporary social challenges.
Finally, it represents a tangible and transparent commitment to our citizens. By formalizing this approach, we ensure that every municipal decision—from urban planning to social action—places dignity, equity, and non-discrimination at the heart of its priorities. Joining this campaign means choosing to transform our values into concrete, measurable, and inclusive actions, ensuring that no one is left behind within our territory.
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Construction and rehabilitation of schools and health centres.
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Training young people in digital professions and literacy programmes for artisans.
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Participatory democracy through public accountability and reporting sessions.