Geneva, 19 - 23 November 2012
Apply now for the November 2012 training!
Deadlines for application:
1 September for applicants requiring visas for Switzerland
12 September for applicants not requiring visa for Switzerland
Course Aim and Objectives | Program | Training methods | Who should apply ? | Practical information | Course organizers | Certification | Application procedure | Important deadlines | fees | Contact | Testimonials
Aim and Objectives of the Training
This training will provide 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 a broad understanding of economic, social and cultural rights (ESC rights), and in-depth knowledge on how to promote ESC rights in their work.
At the end of the training, participants will be:
- Familiar with the content of ESC rights, in particular specific rights such as the right to food, right to housing, right to education, right to water, right to health;
- Familiar with the UN mechanisms mandated to protect and promote ESC rights and the domestic mechanisms for implementing ESC rights;
- Familiar with the role of civil society, national human rights institutions, and non-state actors in relation to ESC rights;
- Able to identify and effectively describe violations and problems in progressive realization of ESC rights; incorporate this in their advocacy plans; and devise strategies for making use of UN ESC rights mechanisms.
Program
The training program covers the following topics:
- The normative content of ESC rights, particularly the rights to health, housing, education, food and water;
- Justiciability of ESC rights;
- Universal ESC mechanisms, including the UN Committee on ESC Rights, the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Human Rights Council, and the UN Special Procedures;
- ESC rights in context, e.g. armed conflict, gender and ESC rights;
- 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 and hands-on practical work on country situations, facilitated by experts experienced in ESC rights work at both UN and grassroots levels.
Who should apply?
This training aims to suit the needs of staff of human rights organisations, in particular NGOs, as well as of UN agencies and diplomats who want to include economic, social and cultural rights issues in their work. The professional groups targeted are: advocacy/human rights/legal officers, managers, and researchers.
Practical information
This five-day intensive training will be held at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in Geneva, from 19-23 November 2012. There will be approximately 25 participants. The training is held in parallel with the November session of the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Geneva which will allow course participants to observe the Committee in session, to the extent time permits.
Training organizers
The training is hosted and organized by 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) in the context of the Project on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Certification
Participants who successfully complete the training will receive a certificate of participation from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
Application procedure
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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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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By email
Please download the application form or request a copy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The filled in 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Download the application form (click here)
Important deadlines for application
1 September 2012: Applicants requiring visas to enter Switzerland;
12 September 2012: Applicants who do not require visas to enter Switzerland.
Fees
The training fee for this 5-day intensive program is 1500-Swiss francs (CHF) and it 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: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
What previous participants of the training course on Understanding Economic, Social and Cultural Rights have said about the course:
“For any organization interested in working on ESC rights or having its staff capacity built on this, especially in the line of advocacy using international mechanisms, this course provides an excellent opportunity for a firm foundation. I strongly recommend participation.”
Rommy Mom, Nigeria Country Director, Global Rights, Nigeria, participant in the 2010 program
“It has been very useful course for me regarding the Understanding of ESC rights. Even if I have been in the area of human rights education and training for some years, I am able to understand the importance of ESC rights after attending this course. The most useful thing is focusing on international human rights mechanisms available to address some grave human rights violations and bringing the issues at this level. I definitely find myself to use international human rights mechanisms in my work after attending this course”.
Abdul Hameed Gondal, Programme Coordinator, South Asia Partnership, Pakistan, participant in the 2010 program
“Very interesting and well-structured course. Thanks for this great work.”
Kahina Ouerdane, Programme Officer Economic and Social Rights, Rights and Democracy, Canada, participant in the 2010 program
"Very interesting training. Teachers were friendly and approachable. I recommend this training to anyone who would like to enhance his knowledge on ESC rights".
Chadia Afkir, Human Rights Officer, OHCHR Geneva, participant in the 2011 program
"The comprehensive description of ESCR by academics, UN staff, NGO staff, experts allows the participants to get a deep understanding of ESCR".
Odile Robert, Adviser to the Chair of the Human Dimension Committee of OSCE, participant in the 2011 program
