Deadline
18
May 2024
Workshop on Human Rights Multilateral Diplomacy
Type
Workshop
Location
Geneva, Switzerland
Date
11 Jun 2024 to 12 Jun 2024
Is this event associated with a learning outcome?
Yes
Does the event include an objective assessment of learning?
No
Duration of event
2 Days
Programme Area
Multilateral Diplomacy, International Law
Website
https://unitar.org/sustainable-development-goals/multilateral-diplomacy/our-portfolio/international-law-and-legal-skills
Price
$1,000
Event Focal Point Email
info.ilp@unitar.org
Registration method
By application & selection
Mode of delivery
Face-to-Face
Languages
English
Background

From Covid 19 to climate change, domestic violence to authoritarian regimes, and mass crimes against populations, human rights are a key tool of action and understanding which every political and social actors should be equipped with. If human rights are definitely not magic wand able to modify reality through psalmody, they are however way more than just words in books. A dimension that is often forgotten about human rights is that they are also checks and balances instruments and key elements of the rule of law and democracy as they have the potential to prevent arbitrariness and unconstrained exercise of power, improving transparency and quality of decision-making. This workshop aims to introduce the participants to the key human rights concepts and mechanisms, mostly from the United Nations’ perspective, and equip them with practical knowledge to make human rights a reality and bring positive social changes.

 

Content and Structure

June 11, 2024

9:00 – 10:45: From the Universal Declaration on Human Rights to the UN Human Rights Treaties: What rights are protected today?

15 mns break

11:00 – 12:30: From the UN Human Rights treaties to the creation of the OHCHR – how does the UN promote and protect human rights today?

75 mns Lunch break

13:45 - 15:15: UN political promotion and protection of human rights: introduction to the Human Rights Council

15 mns break

15:30 – 17: 00: Making practical use of the Human Rights Council mechanisms: opportunities and challenges

 

June 12, 2024

9:00 – 10:45: UN legal and expert promotion and protection of human rights: introduction to the UN treaty bodies

15 mns break

11:00 – 12:30: Making practical use of the UN treaty bodies: opportunities and challenges

75 mns Lunch break

13:45 - 15:15: Real life scenarii: practical and guided exercise on human rights (group’ study)

15 mns break

15:30 – 17: 00:Outcome briefing on the exercise and conclusion on the future of human rights’ protection

Learning objectives

At the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

  • Explain historical development from Human Rights concept to Human Rights Law;
  • Name the core international human rights treaties and the Treaty Bodies and recognize the differences with the other UN human rights mechanisms;
  • Describe the functions of the Treaty Bodies, in particular the reporting process, individual complaints, inquiries and general comments/recommendations and identify the stakeholders involved in each of them;
  • Explain the benefits of the Treaty bodies’ functions from the perspective of each stakeholder.
Methodology

The course is designed to be interactive and participatory, including various pedagogical tools to enable the participants to function effectively and efficiently in a multilateral environment. The course will be built on four pedagogical pillars: concept learning (lectures and presentations), role-playing (group exercises), experience sharing (roundtable discussions), and exposure to real-world problems and policy choices delegates are confronted with.

Targeted audience

This course is primarily open to:

  • Members of Permanent Missions accredited to the United Nations Office in Geneva;
  • Delegates of Ministries of Foreign Affairs and other government officials;
  • Representatives of international, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizations and Diplomatic academies;
  • Professionals from the private sector.
Additional information

Insurance Waiver:

By applying to this workshop, all participants confirm that they are aware that the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) does not insure participants for this course. All participants are advised to arrange at their own expense insurance against sickness, accident, permanent or temporary disability, death and third party risk for the period of the meeting including travel time.

Certificate:

Participants who have attended all the sessions will receive a certificate of participation.

 

Registration:

To complete your registration, please write an email to info.ilp@unitar.org with your CV and a copy of your passport.

Note: Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration will be closed once we have reached the maximum number of participants.