ISHR’s Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP) 2020 [Scholarship Available]

Applications are open for interested and suitably qualified candidates for the ISHR’s Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP) 2020 [Scholarship Available]. The full application details for the ISHR’s Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme can be accessed below.

ISHR’s Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme

ISHR is calling for applications for its flagship Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme in 2020 – the extensive training programme for human rights defenders. So if you are a human rights defender keen to use the UN to push for change at home, apply now!

The training will take place in Geneva between June 8 and 19, 2020 and provides defenders with opportunities to put their advocacy skills directly into action at the 44th 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.

Cost and scholarship

The tuition fee is 3000 Swiss Francs (CHF), and the average cost of travel, accommodation, meals, perdiem and programme logistics administration is approximately 4000 CHF for the two-week period.
Participants who are unable to meet those costs are invited to request a full or partial scholarship. Full scholarships cover the whole cost of 7000 CHF, whilst partial scholarships may cover either the 3000 CHF tuition fee or part of the participants’ accommodation, meals and per diem, or travel costs, or programme logistics and administration. Scholarships will be attributed at ISHR’s discretion.

Eligibility

The programme is open to Human rights defenders around the world.

For the June 2020 training course, ISHR will consider applicants working on at least one of the focus topics of the 41st session of the Human Rights Council and/or one of ISHR’s strategic priorities. Final decisions regarding participants will be based upon the following criteria:

Match between applicants’ area of work/expertise and ISHR’s strategic priorities and/or the opportunities provided by the 41st Human Rights Council;
Applicants’ knowledge of human rights and their experience and willingness to engage with the UN human rights system and integrate it effectively into domestic level advocacy;
Applicants’ experience of carrying out advocacy at the national and/or regional level;
Applicants’ advocacy responsibilities and role within their organisation;
Applicants’ willingness to contribute to peer education in a diverse group of participants;
Applicants’ demonstrated commitment to the principles of human rights, including the principles of universality and non discrimination;
Communication, language and organisational skills;
The potential for a strategic partnership between ISHR and the applicants’ organisation;
Whether applicants or their organisations have been recommended by a strategic partner.
The course will be carried out in English. ISHR cannot provide translation.

Course Requirements

Prior to attending the training and advocacy programme in Geneva, participants are expected to

Complete a short online learning component consisting of guided reading in preparation of the course and forum discussions (approximately 12 hours of work over six weeks);
Develop and submit a set of personal advocacy objectives for the visit to Geneva.
Prepare some advocacy tools/documents to support advocacy activities in Geneva.