Summary:

The main objective of the course is to empower organisations in the regions by training a representative of their choice. The course is designed for experienced human rights activists and organisations that would like to use the international human rights systems in their everyday work.

Since 1987, the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) has organised each year in Geneva during the annual sessions of the UN Commission on Human Rights (March-April) the "Geneva Training Course in International Human Rights Law and Advocacy" (GTC). Over 350 human rights defenders from over 110 countries have so far participated in this training. Most participants have gone on to become leading human rights defenders in their countries and regions. After 18 years, ISHR has decided to change the course structure, duration and target group of the GTC. The "Advanced Geneva Training Course in International Human Rights Law and Advocacy" (AGTC) will take place from 19 March to 15 April 2005.

The main objective of the course is to empower organisations in the regions by training a representative of their choice. The course is designed for experienced human rights activists and organisations that would like to use the international human rights systems in their everyday work. The representatives learn how they can make effective use of the international human rights mechanisms. Besides providing the course participants with an introduction to international law, the course will also include lectures on intergovernmental organisations, international relations and management and strategy techniques. The training also requires individuals to make presentations on the relevant themes of the Commission, study expert reports and summarise and analyse debates. Techniques in drafting reports and lobbying are also included in the agenda of the course. The course provides a short introduction to international human rights law, procedures and issues of the debates of the Commission and Sub-Commission.

The course begins with a four-day intensive training. The intensive training includes a general introduction to international human rights law, an overview of the UN system and the regional mechanisms where applicable. During the Commission, there will be morning and afternoon sessions for the participants on the analysis of the day’s sessions. In addition, UN experts, including special rapporteurs, national human rights institution commissioners and members of international NGOs will also give presentations.

Level: professional

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Participants: 30 participants who: have been actively involved for five or more years in a human rights/development/humanitarian NGO or national human rights institution or an international organisation; have basic knowledge and experience of international human rights law and the regional and/or international human rights system; work in an organisation capable of using national, regional and international human rights systems; are presently in at least a middle leadership position in the organisation; have good written and spoken English, preferably understanding of French or another UN official language; have potential for future partnerships between their own organisations and ISHR.

Applications have to be submitted before 1 November 2004.

Previous Course items

• 28/02/2005: International Course on Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation - 28 Febraury to 18 March 2005
• 23/02/2005: The United Nations Human Rights System - 23 February to 18 May 2005
• 21/02/2005: Human Rights Advocacy - 2005
• 21/02/2005: Regional Programme on Human Rights - March and September 2005
• 21/02/2005: Quality Improvement of EVS projects

Last updated 19/10/2004 06:28:19