Human Rights Defenders Advocacy Programme (HRDAP) is being held online for all the activists around the world fighting for human rights.

Human rights defenders play a vital role in pushing for sustainable human rights improvements.

ISHR conducts regular training courses on the use of the main human rights mechanisms. HRDAP equips human rights defenders with the knowledge and skills to integrate the system into their existing work at the national level in a strategic manner. The programme also provides an opportunity for participants to engage in lobbying and advocacy activities at the UN to effect change back home.

HRDAP 2022 will take place fully online, through a 12-week distance learning course and remote coaching as well as advocacy support. It will enable participants to conduct advocacy and lobbying activities at the UN remotely.

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HRDAP22 programs

The HRDAP22 programme consists of the following events:

•  12-week distance learning course to support participants to consolidate existing knowledge and develop advocacy objectives.
• Advocacy support and coaching, focusing on ways to use international human rights mechanisms effectively and to influence various meaningful outcomes.
• Be part of a global community of human rights defenders.
• Receive support and advocacy accompaniment to conduct advocacy during Human Rights Council sessions and other relevant meetings.

ISHR will provide key advocacy opportunities including:

• Reports by key Special Procedures mandates (UN experts) in the area of human rights defenders
• Discussion of human rights situations and reports by experts on Belarus (HRC50), the Occupied Palestinian Territory (HRC50) and by the Independent International fact-finding mission on Venezuela (HRC51).
• Discussion of human rights situations and reports or oral updates by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (HRC50) and the situation of human rights in Ukraine (HRC51).
• In addition, Annual debates and resolutions on women’s rights, and in the area of environmental protection and climate justice, including on the adverse impact of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights (HRC50) and the rights of indigenous peoples (HRC51).

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 Objectives

The objectives of the course fall into the following three broad categories:

• Supporting human rights defenders:
• Influencing the substantive outcomes of international human rights mechanisms in a positive manner
• Also, creating a peer group of human rights defenders working on a diverse range of issues, identifying best practices in advocating for human rights change, and exchanging lessons and experiences in conducting international advocacy.

Participation Criteria

• Match between applicants’ area of work/expertise and ISHR’s strategic priorities or the opportunities provided by the 50th and 51st Sessions of the Human Rights Council
• 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
• experience of carrying out advocacy at the national and/or regional level
• advocacy responsibilities and role within their organisation
• willingness to contribute to peer education in a diverse group of participants
• demonstrated commitment to the principles of human rights, including the principles of universality and non-discrimination
• Also has communication, language and organisational skills
• The potential for a strategic partnership between ISHR and the applicants’ organisation
• recommendation of applicants or their organisations by a strategic partner.

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Course requirements

The course will be carried out in English and there is no translation available.

To complete HRDAP22, participants will be required to:

• Complete approximately 5 hours of work/week
• Also take part actively and consistently in live webinars, Q&A sessions and forum discussions
• Attend as well as participate in individual and group coaching sessions
• In addition, develop and submit a set of personal advocacy objectives

As the course is online learning and communication platform, participants need to have a stable internet connection throughout the course.

Furthermore, defenders will receive a certificate of completion on the condition that they participate actively throughout the course and submit their assignments on time.

Application process

By deadline each applicant must:

• Submit a completed application form available on the main website
• Also, attach 2 letters of recommendation to your application form

Cost of Attendance for HRDAP 2022

As HRDAP22 will be entirely online, there will be no participation costs incurred by participants directly. However, participants may need to secure funding from other sources to ensure stable and reliable internet access and connectivity throughout the course.

Additional Information for HRDAP 2022

You will get mail to confirm your participation in HRDAP22 and you should later complete a short pre-training survey.

Furthermore, selected participants will need to ensure they secure the time and commitment to complete all of the course requirements, for the entire duration of the course.