HRDAP | ISHR's 2019 training for human rights defenders: apply now!

The training will take place in Geneva between 17 and 28 June 2019 and provides defenders with opportunities to put their advocacy skills directly into action at the 41^st session of the UN Human Rights Council. Get a taste of the programme here, and find out more about how to apply here.

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.

And here we are, already wishing farewell to the 14 inspiring #HRDAP18 participants who spent 2 weeks with us in Geneva! @Helen_ISHR 2 weeks of learning, sharing, networking and testifying & advocating at #HRC38 … but we’ll stay in touch and keep on working together! pic.twitter.com/tK5QmPlV9x

— ISHR (@ISHRglobal) June 22, 2018

In last year’s edition, 14 committed human rights defenders working on a wide range of areas – migrant rights, women’s rights, business and human rights, the rights of LGBTI persons and human rights defender protection – came from extremely different contexts to take part in this training.

ISHR’s Training and Advocacy Support Manager, Helen Nolan, explains that participants hit the ground running, absorbing a huge amount of new information and skills, and immediately putting them into action.

At the end of the training, 100% of participants were either “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the overall programme, and they all also felt that they would be able to apply what they learnt to their own day-to-day work. ISHR will look to build upon this success in 2019.

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 41^st 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, with existing advocacy experience at the national level and some prior knowledge of the international human rights system.

If you are interested in applying for ISHR’s training programme, please read the call for applications to check that you comply with the requirements, and apply before midnight Geneva time on 10 December 2018. The link to the online application form can be found in the call for applications. For more information, write to [email protected].