The vindication of human rights is a critical challenge of a new century. Yet, there is much contestation over rights in a globalizing, post 9/11 world, as human rights ideas come into contact with different cultures and with societies in varying stages of development. Leaders of government and civil society, and the academic world, are in need of policy and normative frameworks for treading the way forward in responding to these global challenges. Written by a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2003-2004), this book is a much needed, short and accessible introduction to the key human rights concepts, the current debates, strategies and institutions for taking forward the global implementation of human rights.