Foundation Course for Staff of NHRIs
National human rights institutions (NHRIs) have emerged as essential partners in the task of promoting and protecting human rights at the national, regional and international levels.
Over the past twenty years there has been a significant increase in the demands made on NHRIs to act as key actors in the protection, promotion and monitoring of human rights.
Their role generally includes addressing discrimination in all its forms, as well as upholding civil and political rights.
Some NHRIs may also have a mandate to promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights, while others operate like an Ombudsman and have powers to investigate allegations of corruption.
Effective NHRIs can help bridge the 'protection gap' between the rights of individuals and the responsibilities of the State.
The Foundation Course for Representatives of National Human Rights Institutions in the Asia Pacific aims to introduce new staff to:
- the origin, mandate and concept of NHRIs
- the advisory and educational mandate of NHRIs
- the investigative and monitoring role of NHRIs
- NHRI engagement with international and regional stakeholders.
The course, run by the APF in partnership with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, is open to representatives from all APF member institutions.
It uses a ‘blended learning’ model, combining a four-week online training component with a regional face-to-face workshop that allows participants to explore issues in greater detail.
2011-12 Course
A total of 29 participants from 16 member institutions took part in the pilot program.
The online training course (17 October – 13 November 2011) utilised the APF’s Virtual Learning Environment and involved set readings, videos, online discussions and regular assignments.
Participants who successfully completed the online course will take part in the regional workshop, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 19 - 28 March 2012.
