Grassroots Human Rights Defenders Invited to Apply for Human Rights Advocates Program
A program of the Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University in New York City, the Human Rights Advocates Program is a capacity-building program that aims to strengthen the skills, knowledge, and networks of proven human rights defenders working at the grassroots level anywhere in the world.
The program focuses on strengthening the skills of individual advocates as well as on providing the tools needed to build sustainable organizations that advocate for disadvantaged peoples. Through workshops, seminars, participation in university classes, and meetings with policy makers and potential funders, advocates share their experiences, reflect critically on their strategies, and plan future campaigns.
The program is designed for lawyers, journalists, doctors, teachers, social workers, community organizers, and other human rights activists working with NGOs on a variety of issues, including sexual and gender-based violence, domestic violence, minority rights, LGBT rights, labor rights, migration, health, social exclusion, environmental justice, and corporate social accountability.
Participants are selected on the basis of their previous work experience in human rights, commitment to the human rights field, and demonstrated ability to pursue graduate-level studies. Full-time students or government officials will not be considered.
Advocates must work at the grassroots level. Except for those representing marginalized communities, applicants from high-income countries will not be considered. Fluency in English is required. Preference is given to those who have not previously had opportunities to travel and study internationally.
The 2014 HRAP will begin in the latter half of August and run until mid-December 2014. ISHR makes every effort to provide full fellowships to cover program costs as well as travel and housing expenses. A reasonable stipend to cover basic costs also is provided.
Visit the ISHR Web site for complete program information and application procedures.