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Creating lasting change through education

Graphic: Participants at an APF training programs for human rights educators

Human rights educators from 19 APF members recently began a training course to share their experiences and bolster their professional skills.


Human rights educators from 19 APF member institutions have recently begun a blended learning training course to share their experiences and bolster their professional skills.

The four-week online program, which runs from 1-26 August 2016, will provide an overview of the key principles involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of human rights education programs, from skills-based training for police and law enforcement officials through to community development initiatives.

The course content is based on Human Rights Education: A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions, published by the APF in 2014.

The manual features a broad range of case studies from national human rights institutions in the Asia Pacific region, as well as a range of practical tools and techniques that human rights educators can adapt for a variety of settings.

The online course will be followed by a week-long workshop in Bangkok, Thailand, from 26-30 September 2016. Our goal is to bring participants together to share their insights, develop new skills and build a regional network of skilled human rights educators.

As part of the course, each participant will develop an action plan to share with colleagues and Commissioners in their respective national human rights institutions.


Girls take part in a human rights education program, Maldives

The APF has published a video series to support human rights educators in their vital work to empower individuals and communities and promote social change.


"National human rights institutions have a crucial role to play in building understanding and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms in their countries," said Kieren Fitzpatrick, Director of the APF secretariat.

"Human rights education is a powerful, long-term investment that helps build fairer, inclusive and just communities," he said.

Date: 12 August 2016


Image credits

  1. Participants at an APF training programs for human rights educators - APF/Michael Power
  2. Girls take part in a human rights education program, Maldives - Human Rights Commission of the Maldives