What does HURIDOCS train on?

HURIDOCS works with human rights organisations to strenghten their capacity in terms of management of information related to human rights, in each of the following areas:

• Training on how to monitor and document of violations, fact-finding, data analysis, reporting.
• Training staff of human rights documentation centres.
• Training on how to monitor economic social and cultural rights.
• Training on how to make an effective use of information and communication technology (ICT) for human rights.

Building the capacity of human rights organisations

HURIDOCS training and consulting is done on a project basis: each project is built to match the needs of the organisation, or group of organisations requesting the training.

HURIDOCS capacity-building project are a two-way learning process, because with each project HURIDOCS also deepens its knowledge of human rights documentation in a particular region or area of work. This knowledge is then shared within the HURIDOCS network via its newsletters, and is used for subsequent projects. Because of the global reach of the HURIDOCS network, it is very well positioned to bring together human rights organisations facing the same challenges, to pool together experience and creativity, and facilitate cross-regional exchange of learning.

Ideally, a particular training and consulting project often leads to a long term relationship and collaboration between HURIDOCS and the organisations involved.

HURIDOCS does not have a standard schedule of training courses – all training is provided as part of projects. It also does not provide training to individuals, but works with organisations.

On-site training or professional internships

On site training and support: the most common form of capacity building is an on-site training and support. A typical project will include the following steps:

• A needs assessment which leads to the elaboration of a project proposal. This is preferably on-site but is most frequently conducted via email and phone discussions.
• A main on-site visit, which usually includes a training component through which HURIDOCS know-how is transmitted to local organisations. A training component usually brings together 12-20 participants from 5-10 organisations.
• One or more follow-up support visits, to assist local organisations in implementing acquired know how and applying HURIDOCS methodology.

HURIDOCS interventions can also consist of consulting missions, with no formal training component, to make a needs analysis, to provide advice in a particular area, etc.

Professional internships: If the capacity building only addresses one or two persons within an organisation, then a professional internship can be a cost effective and efficient way of transferring know-how. A professional internship take place at the HURIDOCS secretariat in Versoix (near Geneva), and usually last 10 working days. During this time, the intern will receive intensive one-to-one coaching and training, and train on materials directly relevant to his or her organisation. Professional internships are tailored to match the exact needs of the participants, and may include study visits to various human rights organisations in the Geneva area.

The HURIDOCS trainers pool

HURIDOCS training and consulting is coordinated by the HURIDOCS secretariat in Geneva, but often delivered by persons who come from organisations belonging to the HURIDOCS network. HURIDOCS has a trainers pool of over 25 persons, from all regions of the world, who are able to provide expert support in the areas mentioned above. Often, a HURIDOCS training will lead to the identification of talented or experienced persons who will then become members of the HURIDOCS trainers pool.

From time to time, HURIDOCS organises training-of-trainers workshops, which develop the skills of trainers in a specific region:

• Most recent workshops: Poland 2005, Senegal 2002
• Next training of trainers: South East Asia