The Human Rights Advocates Training Program at Columbia University is designed for experienced human rights workers, seeking to:

• study international human rights;
• develop their advocacy skills;
• meet colleagues from other parts of the world; and
• become better acquainted with international human rights organizations.

The Program is designed for rights workers who cannot participate in more extended academic programs, such as a Master degree in Law or International Affairs. 14-15 Applicants are accepted to come to Columbia for the Spring Semester (January-May).

Advocates will live in New York's International House and are required to follow a program that combines:

• auditing human rights courses chosen from the Columbia Law and Human Rights & Humanitarian Affairs curricula;
• participating in group seminars on human rights issues;
• participating in practical skills training workshops;
• visiting human rights institutions in New York and Washington DC.
• conducting independent research; and
• working as an intern with a New York-based human rights agency (optional).

All instruction will be in English.

The Program offers opportunities which can be adapted to the varied needs of professionals wishing to learn more about human rights advocacy, including the opportunity to meet some of the principal actors who work in the United States. Participants also act as teachers, sharing information on the problems in their various countries with human rights groups, students and the general public.

Selection of Participants

The Program is designed for lawyers, journalists, teachers and other human rights activists from non-industrialized countries where human rights advocacy is limited. Participants are selected on the basis of their previous work experience and commitment to the human rights field, as well as the appropriateness of a semester-long training at Columbia. Preference is given to candidates from countries where human rights work is most difficult, where the existing human rights network is least developed, and where human rights specialists rarely have the opportunity to study abroad. Advocates must commit to returning home for at least two years upon completion of the Program.

Fluency in English is required.

Funding

The 1999 estimate for each participant's travel and study in the United States and participation in the four-month program is approximately $18,000. 13-14 full fellowships are offered each year, and two positions are reserved for those who obtain external funding.

Complete Application Information

The Center requests: 1) curriculum vitae; 2) at least two recommendations from persons familiar with the candidate's work; 3) a one-page statement of purpose (single-spaced), summarizing the candidate's skills and experience and identifying the applicant's career goals; 4) Institutional statement of support from your immediate supervisor and 5) the completed pre-Training Questionnaire. Nominations by a third party are encouraged when accompanied by detailed information on the candidate. Upon receipt of a completed application, the Center will send written confirmation.

Application Deadline is September 7th Each Year

No late or incomplete application will be considered.

For further information and Application please contact

Ms. Chivy W. Sok
Program Director
tel (212) 854-3014 fax (212) 316-4578
email: [email protected]

or visit:

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/humanrights/advocate.html

Last updated: June 8, 1998

Center for Civil Society International [email protected]