In this article, Helge Rønning reflects on principles and values he considers crucial to the foundation of Norcode’s activities.

”Rights connected to creative work — which extend beyond copyright by covering, among other things, the author’s moral rights — encompass rights of several types”, Rønning writes, finding that civil-, political-, social- and cultural rights all are close to Norcode’s work with an international right-based development”.

In working to strengthen these rights within the context of development, one must therefore build on a broad foundation and not isolate this particular form of aid and cultural cooperation from the task of securing other rights as well.

Justice, equality, respect, participation and dignity are among the fundamental values Rønning mentions in his article Rights-based development (pdf).

Helge Rønning is a professor in the Department of Information Science and Media Studies at the University of Oslo and one of Norway’s leading experts on Africa. He is also chair of the executive board of the copyright management society Kopinor.

This paper was presented at NORCODE’s administrative seminar on 28 February 2008. It is published with permission from the author.