E-learning course on protection of human rights defenders

Protection International is launching the second series of its e-learning courses on protection of human rights defenders.

This course is for members of organisations and people whose work involves human rights, social development and humanitarian aid. Proof of experience working in these fields is required, along with the existence, or possible existence, of a risk to their security, because of their work activities.

The second session of the spanish version and the new version in English should begin on the 3rd of October and the enrolment period will end on 15 september 2011. 

Summary

Designed for: NGOs, social organisations and individuals.
Duration: 60 hours over 3 months (approximately 5 hours per week)
Distance learning course via Internet (using the Moodle Virtual Platform)
Hosted by PI training staff (protection experts with extensive training experience in many countries)
Due to start in mid 2011 (Spanish already started, English and French later on.)

Why take this course?

Education and training for Human Rights Defenders is a broad subject with different needs.
One such need, which we consider to be very important, is security. With the present course we aim for human rights defenders to develop various skills, capacities and strategies to allow them to improve the level of security and protection, both for themselves and also for the people they work with.

Who is the course for?

This course is for members of organisations and people whose work involves human rights, social development and humanitarian aid. Proof of experience working in these fields is required, along with the existence, or possible existence, of a risk to their security, because of their work activities.
Armed conflict or political repression, due to their activities as human rights defenders, could be examples of suitability.

Protection and security practice makes real sense in a political and social action context. For that reason we prioritise enrolment of people commissioned by an organisation, association or community, who will be able to use what they have learned on the course, for the organisational
development of the institution they belong to (1 to 3 people).

The course requires the exchange of opinions and importance is placed on team work. We will therefore also give priority to the enrolment of groups of 2 to 3 individuals, because we consider them to be interest groups or working groups. We will also accep the enrolment of individuals, but this will depend on the level of group participation.

Course objectives

• To provide human rights defenders with tools and abilities to be able to improve their security and protection management.
• To contribute to improving security and protection for the people that human rights defenders are working for or with (such as witnesses, rape victims, etc.)
• To improve the strategies for security and protection utilised by staff members of human rights organisations working on the protection of defenders.

Course requirements

Firstly, defenders should feel the need/consider it necessary to broaden their knowledge and training concerning security and protection.

Secondly, you must be able to undertake distance learning methodology, since this will be utilised for the course. As with face-to-face/on-site learning, distance learning methodology has its advantages and disadvantages. PI has been organising a variety of on-site training for many years (such as workshops, tutorials and organisational advice), and we have learnt a lot as a result of this experience, especially on the cases and problem solving working methodology.

The objective is to apply the lessons we have learnt into this distance learning course.

Thirdly, it is important to dedicate sufficient time to be able to participate fully in the course and the activities it will include, so organisations, whose members are participants, should bear this in mind.

Finally, the course will be orientated towards practice and will focus on real situations and real problems, as well as security and protection solutions, which are applicable for any organisation.

Technical requirements and duration

• The course can be completed using free software applications, provided there is access to a computer and even a low speed Internet connection. In some cases, there could be small videos or sound files, as additional materials, but they will not be absolutely necessary to complete the course.
• You will need access to a computer with a word processor, Internet browser and pdf reader (all are available as free programs).
• You don´t need to have Internet access at all times, but you should be able to access it a few times a week. You can work in a public place with Internet access by using a memory stick, for example.

The duration of the course is 60 hours over 3 months (approximately 5 hours per week)

Certification

Those who complete the course and pass the final evaluation will get a certificate on the corresponding course: certificate on Security and Protection for Human Rights Defenders and Social Organisations.

Teachers

The course has been designed and will be hosted by members of the PI Research and Training Unit, who have extensive experience in defenders' training, in more than thirty countries.

Admission criteria

The admission criteria will be to give priority to those people having the largest potential impact on human rights defenders' security.

Course Fees

The enrolment fee will depend on various factors – such as country of origin or residence, the institution the participant is involved with, the course duration, etc. In any case we will offer the lowest price possible, to enable participation.