Application Deadline: October 17th, 2021
The East Africa Human Rights Program (EAHRP) is a human rights education initiative of alumni of Equitas’ annual International Human Rights Training Program from the East African region and alumni of the East Africa Human Rights program in partnership with Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education based in Montreal, Canada. The EAHRP arose out of the realization of the need to expand opportunities for more human rights workers operating at national and community levels seeking to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to carry out their work more effectively but who were not able to secure opportunities to attend the annual International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP) organized by Equitas in Canada.
The East Africa Human Rights Program (EAHRP) is a regional training program which provides a unique opportunity for human rights workers, defenders, activists and educators from civil society organizations, institutions and government agencies, to deepen their understanding of human rights and the essential role of human rights education in effecting and sustaining social change. Developed in partnership with Equitas training alumni from across East Africa, the goal of the EAHRP is to strengthen the capacity of a regional pool of human rights organizations and institutions to use a human rights-based approach (HRBA) to advance gender equality and human rights through human rights education (HRE), with the purpose of building a global culture of human rights.
The EAHRP normally brings together participants from across East Africa for a two-week learning experience. However, due to the ongoing challenges around COVID-19, Equitas works with partners to implement National Training Sessions in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda respectively for the 2022 EAHRP:
- Kenya: February 20 – March 4, 2022, implemented by Women’s Empowerment Link (WEL)
- Tanzania: 13 – 25 March, 2022, implemented by TUSONGE
- Uganda: March 27 – April 8, 2022, implemented by Foundation for Integrated Rural Development (FIRD)
The goal of the EAHRP is to strengthen the capacity of a regional pool of human rights organizations and institutions to use a human rights-based approach (HRBA) to advance gender equality and human rights through human rights education (HRE), with the purpose of building a global culture of human rights.
To this end, the program places a strong emphasis on the transfer of learning and on follow-up activities. Participants attending the program develop an Individual Plan for putting their learning into action as part of the training.
Requirements
Candidates from qualifying organizations must:
- be active employees / volunteers / associates with their organization for at least one year
- be in a position to influence the human rights education work of their organization
- have knowledge of human rights principles and major regional or international instruments
- be committed to transferring knowledge and skills gained during the program to colleagues and others with whom they work
- be sensitive to issues which may arise when working in multicultural groups and be respectful of diversity
Please note that whilst someone may apply to both the EAHRP and the Equitas International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP), they can only participate in one of the Programs.
Participants may come from the following East African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda.
The objectives of the EAHRP
By the end of the training, participants should be able to:
- use a framework based on regionally and internationally accepted human rights standards and principles to analyze the issues and situations encountered in their work and that of their organization
- identify ways in which human rights education can increase the effectiveness of their human rights work
- integrate a participatory approach into their human rights and human rights education work
- incorporate a human rights-based approach and a gender perspective in their human rights and human rights education work
- determine strategies for promoting gender equality in their human rights education work
- employ a basic evaluation process for assessing the results of their human rights education work
- explore networking opportunities essential for furthering the cause of human rights
- indicate appropriate ways for putting their learning from the EAHRP into practice in the work of their organizations
Application Procedure
- The completed Application Form (Part A completed by the Director, Chair or Manager of the candidate’s organization; Part B completed by the candidate)
- The Memorandum of Agreement duly signed by the candidate and the Director, Chair or Manager of the candidate’s organization
- Two supporting letters from national and/or international human rights organizations (other than the candidate’s) familiar with the candidate’s work and/or the work of their organization
- A brochure (and/or mission statement) describing the candidate’s organization
Fees and Bursary
The EAHRP participation fee is $3,500 USD. This amount covers tuition, program materials, accommodation, and meals, but does not include travel costs.
Participants are responsible for any extra expenses such as entertainment and meals purchased outside of the cafeteria.
How can I get a bursary?
Through the support of the Government of Canada, there is funding to award a limited number of bursaries to selected regional candidates. A bursary includes full tuition fees (including room and board) for the two-week training program as well as travel expenses. Once eligibility has been determined, the Selection Committee will award the bursaries to the candidates who best meet the requirements. Due to the limited number of bursaries available, there is no guarantee that the selected candidates will receive funding.
How can I apply?
- Please apply by sending an email to eahrp2022[at]equitas.org with all of the required documents attached. Make sure to have all of your documents attached in the same e-mail
- The Application Form can be saved and completed on your computer
- The Memorandum of Agreement can also be completed on your computer by including photos of your signature and the signature of the Director of your organization on the document or can be printed, signed by hand and scanned.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the East Africa Human Rights Program 2022
