HREA intends to offer short specialised courses for human rights workers via distance learning. It is envisioned that the courses encompass a total of 60 hours of reading, on-line working groups, interaction with students and instructors/facilitators and assignments, and will be offered over a three-month period. Facilitators will be highly experienced practitioners from human rights organisations from around the world. E-mail will be the main medium for the courses. Such courses should overcome some of the barriers that prevent many from participating in continuing education such as a lack of time and/or lack of funds to travel to regional or national workshops/trainings.
In December 2000, HREA administered a survey, which demonstrated that there is a tremendous interest in distance learning courses among human rights workers. Here are some of the results. Popular course topics are human rights advocacy; mediation and conflict resolution; research and evaluation; new developments in international human rights law; basics of training; and programme development. HREA is currently negotiating with potential funders to finance six pilot courses.
Learn more about upcoming courses.