Source: The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
This advanced course will provide experienced human rights advocates, staff of NGOs and national human rights institutions, representatives of governments, and staff of UN bodies and other international organizations, as well as members of the academia, with in-depth knowledge on monitoring aspects related to economic, social and cultural rights (ESC rights), and comprehensive knowledge on how to enhance their work on monitoring ESC rights. Deadline for applications: 15 February for applicants requiring visas for Switzerland and all scholarship requests. 18 March for self-funded applicants not requiring visa for Switzerland.
At the end of the training, the participants will be:
- Familiar with the different techniques to monitor ESC rights;
- Familiar with the monitoring mechanisms for ESC rights, in particular the UN system;
- Able to document cases of violation/realisation of an ESC right of particular concern to them or their organization;
- Able to present findings effectively, and devise an advocacy strategy which makes use of the international human rights mechanisms.
Program
The course program will cover the following topics:
- Framework of ESC rights: scope of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, typologies of State obligations; Limburg Principles; Maastricht Guidelines;
- International mechanisms making use of monitoring tools of ESC rights: UN Human Rights Council, UN Special Rapporteurs, UN Committee on ESC Rights;
- Approaches to monitoring ESC rights: violations approach, indicators approach, human rights impact assessments, litigating ESC rights, budget monitoring;
- Strategies to build advocacy policies, data visualisation;
- Discussions with experts, including UN Treaty Body members; visit to a session of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Training methods
A dynamic combination of lectures with hands-on practical work on real country situations, facilitated by experts experienced in ESC rights work at both UN and grassroots level.
Who should apply?
This course aims to suit the needs of experienced staff of human rights organisations, in particular NGOs, as well as of national human rights institutions, staff from UN agencies and diplomats who want to enhance their work on monitoring ESC rights. The professional groups targeted are: advocacy/human rights/legal officers, managers, researchers.
Practical information
This advanced training course will be held at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in Geneva, from 9 to 13 May 2011. There will be approximately 25 participants accepted. The course will be held in parallel with the May session of the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, which will also be held in Geneva. This will allow course participants to observe the Committee in session, to the extent time permits.
Course Organizers
The course is hosted and organized by the Project on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights (part of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and the University of Geneva).
Certification
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate of participation from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
Application procedure
Online
Please fill in the online application form and submit it electronically. For the registration to be complete, applicants must also send their CVs to escrtraining@adh-geneve.ch
By email
Please download the application form or request a copy at escrtraining@adh-geneve.ch. The completed application form should be submitted via email, and must be accompanied by a CV for the registration to be complete. Please send your application to escrtraining@adh-geneve.ch
Important deadlines for application
15 February 2011: Applicants requiring visas to enter Switzerland or financial assistance to attend the course;
25 March: Self-funded applicants who do not require visas to enter Switzerland.
Fees
The course fee for this 5-day intensive program is 1500- CHF. The course fee of 1500 Swiss francs includes: tuition costs, course materials, 5 lunches, one informal dinner and coffee breaks. The fee is payable once confirmation of participation has been issued.
Contact information
E-mail: escrtraining@adh-geneve.ch
For further information, please see http://www.adh-geneve.ch/professional-training/professional-training-in-escr/at