ISHR 2017 training for human rights defenders: now open for applicants!

Deadline: January 4, 2017

Open to: all human rights defenders with the knowledge and skills to make strategic use of the international human rights system
Venue: 29 May – 9 June 2017, Geneva, Switzerland

ISHR is calling for applications for its flagship Human Rights Defenders Advocacy Program in 2017 – the extensive training programme for human rights defenders. The training will take place in Geneva between 29 May and 9 June 2017 and provides defenders with opportunities to put their advocacy skillsdirectly into action at the 35th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

ISHR’s Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP) equips defenders with the knowledge and skills to make strategic use of the international human rights system. It also provides an opportunity for participants to directly engage in lobbying and advocacy activities at the UN level to effect change on the ground back home. As well as receiving training modules on all the UN human rights mechanisms from a range of experts, participants will also have the opportunity to build networks in Geneva and around the world, carry out lobbying of UN member States and UN staff, and learn from peers from a range of regions working on a range of human rights issues.

This programme consists of the following elements:

a) A compulsory online learning component, which takes place prior to face-to-face training sessions, and supports participants in consolidating existing knowledge and developing advocacy objectives;

b) Intensive training in Geneva, with the principal course hosted in June to coincide with the 35 th session of the Human Rights Council and the expected dates of the 24 th Annual Meeting of UN Special Procedures, focusing on ways to use international human rights mechanisms effectively and to influence outcomes;

c) Specific advocacy at Human Rights Council sessions and other relevant meetings, with regular feedback and peer education to learn from the experiences, including expert inputs from leading human rights advocates This programme is directed at experienced human rights defenders in Non-Governmental Organisations or National Human Rights Institutions, who have existing advocacy experience at the national level and some prior knowledge of the international human rights system.

Participants will take part in:

1) A short online learning component, prior to face-to-face training, to enable you to consolidate your existing knowledge and develop your advocacy objectives;

2) Intensive training in Geneva during June, to coincide with the 35th session of the Human Rights Council. The training will focus on ways to effectively use international human rights mechanisms and to influence outcomes;

3) Specific advocacy at Human Rights Council sessions and other relevant meetings, with regular feedback and peer education to learn from the experiences, including expert input from leading human rights advocates.

This programme is directed at experienced human rights defenders in non governmental organisations and national human rights institutions, with existing advocacy experience at the national level and some prior knowledge of the international human rights system.

Eligibility

Final decisions regarding participants will be based upon the following criteria:

• Match between applicants’ area of work/expertise and ISHR’s strategic priorities and/or the opportunities provided by the 35 th Human Rights Council;
• Have knowledge of human rights and their experience and willingness to engage with the UN human rights system and integrate it effectively into domestic level advocacy;
• Applicants’ experience of carrying out advocacy at the national and/or regional level;
• Applicants’ advocacy responsibilities and role within their organisation;
• Applicants’ willingness to contribute to peer education in a diverse group of participants;
• Applicants’ demonstrated commitment to the principles of human rights, including the principles of universality and non-discrimination;
• Communication, language and organisational skills;
• The potential for a strategic partnership between ISHR and the applicants’ organisation;
• Whether applicants or their organisations have been recommended by a strategic partner.
• The course will be carried out in English. ISHR cannot provide translation.

Costs

The tuition fee is 3000 Swiss Francs (CHF), and the average cost of travel, accommodation, meals, perdiem and programme logistics administration is approximately 4000 CHF for the two-week period.

Participants who are unable to meet those costs are invited to request a full or partial scholarship. Full scholarships cover the whole cost of 7000 CHF, whilst partial scholarships may cover either the 3000 CHF tuition fee or part of the participants’ accommodation, meals and per diem, or travel costs, or programme logistics and administration. Scholarships will be attributed at ISHR’s discretion.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis starting immediately. Participants will be advised by mid March on whether or not they have been selected, and the availability of full/partial scholarships.

How to apply?

In order to apply please fill the online application.

By 4 January 2017, each applicant also must submit:

• A recent CV/resume (max 2 pages);
• 2 letters of recommendation, including one from their organization (to be emailed according to information in the application form).