32nd Annual International Human Rights Training Programme

Equitas will be holding its 32nd International Human Rights Training Programme (IHRTP) in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada, from June 5th to June 24th, 2011. This annual, intensive three-week program brings together around 120 participants from approximately 60 countries.

Goal of the programme

The goal of the IHRTP is to strengthen the capacity of human rights organisations to undertake educational efforts aimed at building a global culture of human rights. The IHRTP aims at enabling participant organisations to undertake more effective human rights education activities. To this end, the Programme places a strong emphasis on transfer of learning and on follow-up activities. Participants will be asked to develop an individual plan for putting their learning into action as part of the training.

Curriculum model

The curriculum model is based on principles of adult experiential learning, in which participants and facilitators engage in a process of mutual teaching and learning. Participants work for the most part in groups of about 15 with a facilitator whose role is to provide guidance in achieving the programme objectives. In addition, internationally recognised human rights experts are also invited to give presentations and participate in panel discussions throughout the three-week session.

Programme content

The IHRTP is an intermediate-level programme that focuses on international human rights standards, current human rights issues and human rights education strategies. The exploration of human rights principles and instruments, ongoing critical reflection and inquiry and extensive sharing of experiences allow participants to strengthen their capacity to engage in effective human rights education.

• Week 1 - Participants will get to know the members of their working group and engage in activities that lay the groundwork for developing a productive group dynamic based on mutual respect. They will become familiar with the overall Programme content and methodology and begin a process of reflection on their individual societies, the human rights work of their organisations and their own role within those organisations. Participants will also compare their roles as human rights activists/educators and reflect on the universality of rights.
• Week 2 - Participants will begin the week discussing issues of particular interest, leading to an examination of their roles as human rights workers and educators in the current global context. Through case studies and discussions, participants will examine major international human rights instruments in order to explore the usefulness of these instruments in their work.

Week 3 - Regional workshops will provide participants from the same geographic region the opportunity to work together to examine key components of effective monitoring and advocacy and the role of these activities in human rights education. Participants will synthesise previous themes and examine emerging human rights issues. Participants will also become familiar with methods of evaluating educational activities.

Organisation and participant profile

Organisations that nominate candidates must be representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), national human rights institutions, government bodies or education institution; have a demonstrated commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights; be involved in human rights education activities, such as training sessions, workshops, public awareness campaigns, advocacy, monitoring and be committed to providing opportunities for their candidate to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the Programme within the organisation.

Candidates from qualifying organisations must be active members of their organisation for at least 2 years; be in a position to influence the human rights education work of the organisation; have a knowledge of human rights principles and major international instruments; be committed to transferring knowledge and skills gained during the Programme to colleagues and to others with whom they work; be sensitive to the issues which arise when working in multicultural groups, and respectful of diversity and be proficient in either English or French.

Programme location and dates

The IHRTP will be held from June 5th to June 24th, 2011 at John Abbott College in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada.

Participation fee

The participation fee is $5,300 Canadian. This includes tuition, program materials, accommodation, meals, and emergency medical insurance. There are a limited number of bursaries available.

How to apply

Your application must include:

• The completed Application Form (Part A completed by the Director of the Candidate’s organization; Part B completed by the Candidate)
• The Memorandum of Agreement duly signed by the Candidate and the director of the Candidate’s organisation
• Two supporting letters from national and/or international human rights organisations (other than the Candidate’s) familiar with the Candidate’s work and/or the work of his or her organisation
• A brochure (and/or mission statement) describing the Candidate’s organisation

All Application documents can be obtained by visiting the Equitas website or by contacting the IHRTP Team at ihrtp-pifdh@equitas.org.

Please note that the deadline for applications is November 21st, 2010. We encourage all candidates to submit their Application documents as soon as possible.