Geneva, 5 to 9 May 2008

This course is a joint initiative of both the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) and HURIDOCS.

Download these documents:

• Course leaflet
• Detailed description of sessions
  
• Application form (send to escr@huridocs.org)
  

Update on 4 February: we only accept applications from participants who can cover all or most of their costs.

Aim and objectives
The course will provide staff from small and medium organisations (in particular NGOs) with the know-how to get started in monitoring ESC rights, or in-depth knowledge to enhance their ESCR monitoring work. At the end of the training, the participants will be:

• Familiar with the content of economic, social and cultural rights;
• Able to devise realistic strategies for monitoring ESC rights and documenting the violation and 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:

• History of ESC rights. Content and scope. Correlative obligations. Progressive realisation. Non-discrimination. Justiciability.
• Human rights monitoring. Using indicators to document violations. Data sources on the internet. Introduction to budgetary analysis.
• Making data talk: presenting findings in an engaging and appealing way.
• Defining an advocacy strategy. Overview of the national, regional and UN human rights mechanisms relevant to ESCR and how to interact with them, including the treaty bodies, special procedures and Human Rights Council.
• Special focus: the right to food, the right to housing, the right to health.
• Panel discussion with experts: what makes an effective NGO report?

Training methods
A dynamic combination of lectures with hands-on practical work on real country situations, facilitated by experts experienced in ESCR work at both UN and grassroots level.


Who should apply?
This course aims to suit the needs of staff of human rights organisations, including NGOs, want to start monitoring economic, social and cultural rights or enhance the work they are currently doing on monitoring and advocating for ESC rights. The professional groups targeted are: advocacy/human rights/legal officers, managers, researchers, documentalists.


Practical information
The first session of this new five-day course will be held at the IUED in Geneva, from 5 to 9 May 2008. There will be a maximum of 20 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 participants to participate in or observe the Committee in session, to the extent time permits.

Certification
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate of participation from IUED and HURIDOCS.


Applications
Applicants should complete an application form, and submit this along with their CV and a cover letter explaining briefly how the course learning will be applied. Applications should be emailed to escr@huridocs.org no later than 1 February 2008. Application forms can be downloaded here: http://www.huridocs.org/training/escr

Fees
A full course fee of 2700 Swiss Francs includes: tuition costs, course materials, medical insurance, accommodation, bus transport, and full board. The fee is payable once confirmation of participation has been issued.

For those who don’t need accommodation, there is a reduced fee of 1400 Swiss Francs, which includes only tuition, course materials, and half board.

A few scholarships will be available.


Organisers
This course is a joint initiative of both the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) and Human Rights Information and Documentation Systems, International (HURIDOCS).


Contact information
E-mail: escr@huridocs.org
Phone: +41 22 755 5252.
IHEID: www.graduateinstitute.ch
HURIDOCS: www.huridocs.org