Global Campus of Human Rights: Venice School for Human Rights Defenders, 10-17 June 2023- Venezia Lido

The Global Campus of Human Rights Project Department in cooperation with the European Parliament organised the training programme “Venice School for Human Rights Defenders”, that will be held between 10 and 17 June 2023 at the Monastery of San Nicolò, Venice Lido.

Human rights defenders play an essential role in the realisation of rights and promotion of equality. Not only do they fight for human rights in situations of oppression and abuse, they also act as monitors, drawing attention both to their respective communities and to the international community to otherwise neglected violations and threats.

The training programme is addressed to human rights practitioners from all over the world as well as to graduate students from all academic backgrounds willing to deepen and improve their knowledge in human rights topics. The course will focus on the following themes:

-Engaging with UN mechanisms: treaty bodies and special procedures

-Introduction to gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence

-Environmental protection and indigenous rights

-LGBTIQ+ rights

-Documenting and raising awareness of human rights abuses through video evidence

-Engaging with human rights scepticism

The programme will includelectures by Sakharov laureates, Right Livelihood Foundation laureates, prominent human rights figures from international organisations, internationally renowned academics, experts and activists from civil society and NGOs.

After taking the training programme, participants will be able to:

-Develop human rights defenders’ advocacy skills and expertise

-Enhance the ability of human rights defenders to engage strategically with UN mechanisms and examining how they can use them to -bolster their work at the national level

-Develop diplomatic and civil society networks

-Share knowledge and expertise which human rights defenders can use to ensure their voice is central in international human rights decision-making processes

-Develop strategies and techniques to increase the potential of human rights defenders’ national and regional advocacy work

-Discuss best practices and ways forward through the mutual exchange of experiences

-Develop networks among Sakharov fellows and other human rights defenders

In order to ensure the highest level of interaction the number of participants will be limited to 30, therefore we strongly recommend early registration. It is possible to enrol until 14 May 2023.
The full application, including motivation letter and CV, must be submitted in English. Please also include a non-certified English translation if the original certificates were not issued in English, French, Spanish or Italian.

Last update

13/4/2023