General information
The Advanced Geneva Training Course (AGTC) is offered once a year - in parallel to a session of the Human Rights Council. The main objective of the course is to empower human rights organisations by training their representatives to effectively use the United Nations (UN) human rights mechanisms. The course provides human rights defenders with both theoretical knowledge and an opportunity to experience the UN human rights mechanisms in action.
Our courses are based on an interactive experiential approach and use adult education learning principles. They address theoretical and practical aspects of international human rights law, as well as the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in improving the implementation of human rights treaties and standards. The training sessions involve a variety of learning tools, such as role-plays, debates, group discussions, and presentations by experts and participants. This is supplemented by informal learning through attendance at UN meetings and seminars.
Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will have:
- Broadened their knowledge of the role and functions of UN human rights mechanisms and other key actors in the international human rights system;
- Developed practical skills to produce effective submissions to UN human rights bodies;
- Increased their competence in the development of strategic advocacy for lobbying at the international level and for working to ensure the implementation of relevant resolutions / recommendations at the national level
- Improved their ability to enhance the contribution of NGOs and NHRIs to the improvement of the national regulatory framework for human rights
- Expanded interactions and dialogues with networks of national, regional and international NGOs, institutions and government agencies for the promotion and protection of human rights
E-learning component, new!
At the AGTC in March 2011, ISHR conducted a pilot e-learning component. The online interactive tool provided participants with the opportunity to access extensive reading materials on the UN human rights system, test their knowledge, and facilitate discussion between participants and tutors, prior to the face-to-face training. The overall aim of the new iniative was to increase training participants' level of preparation and assist them in gaining more from the face-to-face training in Geneva. The trial project in March was deemed a success and ISHR is currently considering ways to develop the initiative for future training courses.
Participants
Approximately 20 participants from around the world attend each AGTC. To be selected, applicants should:
- Have been working for more than five years in a national or international human rights/development/humanitarian NGO or NHRI
- Be working in an organisation with a capacity to use national, regional and international human rights systems
- Currently hold at least a middle-management position in an organisation;
- Have a basic knowledge of and experience in international human rights law and the regional and/or international human rights system;
- Be proficient in written and spoken English for the GTC in English or French for the GTC in French
- Represent an organisation that may wish to collaborate with ISHR in the future
How to apply
Applications for the AGTC are accepted through ISHR’s website a few months before each course. In selecting participants, we endeavour to achieve a balance in terms of gender, geographical regions and areas of interest/activity. Due to limited resources, ISHR is only able to contact short-listed candidates. Application details for the 2012 AGTC will be confirmed closer to the time.
The cost of the course is approximately 6,000 CHF (including accommodation, per-diems, health insurance and airfare). All participants are responsible for securing their own funding for the course. ISHR will seek to raise funds for the course and may offer a small number of scholarships.
For further information, e-mail us at
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