Human Rights Advocates Program, Columbia University: Training for human rights advocates

The following program is not specific to human rights in the disability community. However, it does emphasize marginalized communities in general. Disability rights advocates ready for a one-semester graduate-level training program may wish to apply on that basis. If you have missed the December 19, 2008 deadline for the 2009 session, then you may still wish to consult the Columbia University web site for information on future sessions.

Dear friends and colleagues:

The application for the 2009 session of the annual Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) at Columbia University is now available (deadline December 19, 2008). Columbia University asks that people disseminate this information to human rights activists based in the Global South as well as grassroots activists in the United States.

HRAP is designed to prepare proven human rights leaders from the Global South and marginalized communities in the U.S. to participate in national and international policy debates on globalization by building their skills, knowledge, and contacts. The Program features a four-month residency at Columbia University in New York City with a structured curriculum of advocacy, networking, skills-building, and academic coursework.

Since 2004, HRAP has concentrated its support on individuals and organizations that address issues broadly related to globalization.

The four-month intensive capacity building program based at Columbia University in New York focuses on the following key issue areas:

* Environmental injustice
* Labor rights violations
* Ramifications of resource extraction
* Public health crises
* Unsustainable development
* Intolerance, xenophobia, and social exclusion related to globalization

Special attention is given to the above issues and their intersection with gender, race, ethnicity, sexual identity, and/or other sources of marginalization.

Participants are selected on the basis of their previous work experience on human rights and globalization, commitment to the human rights field, and demonstrated ability to complete graduate-level studies. Advocates must originate from and reside in either the Global South or the United States. Fluency in English is required. Advocate s must secure institutional endorsement from their organizations for their participation in the Program and must commit to returning to that organization upon completion of the Program. If accepted, they must also commit to participating in the program fully.

This extremely competitive Program will admit approximately six participants. We make every effort to provide full fellowships to cover program costs as well as travel and living expenses for selected Advocates each year.

Attached please find the 2009 application form. Completed applications are due by December 19, 2008. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The 2009 HRAP will take place from the middle of August to the middle of December 2009.

For further information or to download the application form, please refer to Columbia University’s website at: http://hrap.hrcolumbia.org/

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Stephanie V. Grepo
Director, Capacity Building Programs
Center for the Study of Human Rights
Columbia University



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