A design thinking perspective on human rights

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Human rights can be formalised in laws and legislation, but can also be operationalised on a more informal, practical level, like when interacting with people, products, services, local or organisational policies or the arts. It is here where the proper implementation of human rights is context-defined and where human rights might conflict with each other. A design thinking perspective helps to resolve these issues. Applying a design thinking perspective might also facilitate social innovation. That is because design thinking is a positive, constructive approach in which solutions are designed and tested for their effectiveness. Within a design thinking perspective on human rights – not to be confused with a human rights perspective on design – an artefact is created that enables human beings to pursue a good life.