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

ISHR is calling for applications for its flagship Human Rights Defenders Advocacy Program in 2017 – the extensive training programme for human rights defenders, so if you are a human rights defender keen to increase your interaction with the UN system, apply now!

(We’re also running a fundraising appeal to help fund it – check it out here and help spread the word.)

The training will take place in Geneva between 29 May and 9 June 2017 and provides defenders with opportunities to put their advocacy skills directly 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.

At the end of last year’s training, 99% of participants were either “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the overall programme, whilst 62% of participants felt they had fully achieved their objectives and another 31% felt they had at least partially achieved them. ISHR will look to build upon this success this year.

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.

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. The link to the online application form can be found under point 5 of the call for applications.

The call for applicants can be found here. For more information, write to [email protected].

Meet @natashalatiff – one of our Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme alumni! Applications for 2017 now open https://t.co/NSoIfY17Kz

— Helen Nolan (@Helen_ISHR) November 2, 2016