This publication presents lessons learnt on inclusive governance through 10 case studies of development policies and programmes, in eight Asia-Pacific countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Iran, Philippines and Sri Lanka). Overall, they address two key questions:

• Does inclusiveness in governance and development processes enhance the human rights of disadvantaged groups in actual terms?

• And does the awareness and assertion of human rights by disadvantaged groups ensure greater inclusion in governance processes and outcomes?

The case studies offer pertinent insights, documented here, that go a long way toward addressing the above questions. In various ways, they focus on inclusiveness issues faced by disadvantaged groups and indicate what types of strategies may be best suited for participatory interaction between these groups and governance institutions. And most importantly, they provide a foundation to advance the human rights-based approach to development programming.