Step 3 – Why is it happening? – The causes

Having defined what is happening in human rights terms, the next step is to identify why this is happening. During this step the Spheres of Influence Diagram will be used to create a map of different concerns affecting the human rights issue. The explanation of the diagram can be found here.

Start with the human rights issue defined during Step 1 and think about all possible factors both within and outside the work sphere which influence this situation. Place the issue at the centre of the Spheres of Influence Diagram. Include all known causes in the diagram to create a structural overview of the factors that contribute to the central issue. Go into as much detail as possible and with each additional cause keep asking why this is the case to identify more underlying causes. Write the causes into the applicable sphere and link causes that lead to each other, as indicated below.

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