New ISHR training programme aims to multiply knowledge
Multiplication was the aim of a recent ISHR 'train-the-trainer' course held in Sierra Leone (19 – 24 June). Specifically, the training was designed to help the participants to both learn about the UN and African human rights systems and provide them with skills to be able to share their knowledge with others.
While 'train-the-trainer' courses are not a new initiative for ISHR, this was the first time a training course combined learning on the subject of human rights systems with the teaching skills component. These have previously been taught under separate courses.
 The Sierra Leone training was held in Freetown and conducted in partnership with the West Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (WAHRDN) and Forum of Consciences. It involved 14 human rights defenders from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Zimbabwe.
ISHR Training Specialist, Lizzy Openshaw says the aim of the course was for the defenders to develop confident and effective approaches to training others working in human rights, as well as develop their substantive knowledge.
'As well as completing online assignments on the human rights mechanisms in advance of the course, participants were required to put their learning into immediate practice by delivering sessions to their peers on how to engage with the UN and African systems.
'This was followed by group feedback sessions, to help the participants identify their strengths as trainers and areas for development.'
 Ms Openshaw says the increased engagement of human rights defenders with international and regional human rights mechanisms is dependent on the systems' visibility and effectiveness. 'We hope the multiplier effect of the train-the-trainer course will help to achieve this, and that, ultimately, we might see more human rights defenders engaging with the systems,' she says.
In parallel to the training course, ISHR facilitated an unofficial visit for the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights' Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa, Lucy Asuagbor. As well as briefing government officials on her mandate, Mrs Asuagbor met with local human rights activists, as well as the course participants, to listen to their concerns and advise them in their human rights work.
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