Activities of governments, NGOs and companies can have a positive or negative effect on a country's human rights situation. Policy does not always achieve what it is intended to do. Aim for human rights develops methods to make the effects of human rights policy and legislation measurable. These methods or tools are known as Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA). Abstract human rights standards are thus translated into practical and realistic objectives that can be evaluated objectively. Thus, policy can more effectively aim for an improvement of the human rights situation. Aim for human rights develops these methods for impact assessment together with NGOs, companies and authorities. This way local organisations can decide what steps have to be taken to improve human rights in their countries, companies get a better understanding about the consequences of their activities in the field of human rights, and authorities can better predict what will be the influence of their foreign policy. The use of these methods simplifies taking human rights as a starting point for activities.

Aim for human rights works together with partner organisations in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe to realise human rights. Local organisations are often the first to see that human rights are being violated and to take action. They can also improve the situation most effectively as change can only be brought on from the inside. Aim for human rights supports these organisations, principally through trainings and knowledge transfer. Together we look at how they  can develop and use methods for impact assessment in their specific situation. We also provide training in effective lobbying and bring organisations in contact with each other. This allows our partner organisations defend human rights in their community better.

Aim for human rights enters into dialogues with politicians and policy makers to bring more attention to human rights in Dutch and European policy. We do so both individually, as well as in cooperation with like minded organisations. Our aim is:

• to keep human rights high on the political agenda;
• to evaluate the influence of the Dutch and EU policies on the human rights situation in other countries;
• to have important points of care of Aim for human rights and partner organisations considered in policy making.

Also, Aim for human rights together with partners has discussions with foreign authorities and with international organisations such as the EU and the UN. At the UN, we have a special status with the Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc). We also advise multinational companies in the Netherlands on problems and solutions in the field of human rights.

Aim for human rights has projects in the field of enforced disappearances, human rights and  business, women’s human rights, human rights in European policy and human rights impact assessment.