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IHRTP
International Human Rights Training Program
The International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP) is at the heart of Equitas activities. Now in its
30th year, this annual three-week training session brings together approximately 120 participants from
over 50 countries. The IHRTP provides a unique opportunity for human rights workers to deepen their
understanding of human rights and of the essential role of human rights education in effecting change.
The IHRTP is primarily designed for non-profit, non-governmental human rights organizations (NGOs) or
community-based organizations (CBOs). However, a limited number of participants also come from
national human rights institutions, government departments and educational institutions.
Goal and objectives
Building a Global Culture of Human Rights
The IHRTP focuses on strengthening the capacity of human rights
organizations to undertake human rights education (HRE) activities (e.g.,
training, awareness campaigns, information dissemination, and
advocacy) aimed at building a global culture of human rights. For
Equitas, HRE is a process of transformation that begins with the
individual and branches out to encompass the society at large. After the
program, these participants and their organizations are better equipped
to educate people on human rights.
The Participants
Organizations which nominate candidates for the IHRTP have demonstrated commitment to the
protection and promotion of human rights and have an established record of effective action. These
organizations are committed to providing opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills gained by the
candidate in human rights education activities such as training sessions, workshops, public awareness
campaigns, advocacy and monitoring.
Participants are courageous and dynamic individuals who influence the human rights education work of
their organizations. Their dedication makes it possible to effectively transfer the knowledge and skills
gained to colleagues and to others in their countries. Upon returning from the IHRTP, they bring back to
their communities new tools and methodologies to better challenge entrenched attitudes and practices,
often in dangerous situations.
The program helps human rights activists build confidence and allows them to network with other
participants to help them overcome obstacles.
IHRTP Gets Results
The results from the IHRTP evaluations of the last five years are a clear indication that the program focus
is achieving the desired results. An independent evaluation of the surveyed past participants found that:
“(…there were noticeable effects on individuals consulted here, including strong evidence of increased
individual competency…Overall, alumni reported that their knowledge and skills related to human rights
and HRE have increased as a result of their participation in their IHRTP course”.
Their conclusions were supported by figures from their survey of alumni, where 96% of alumni agreed or
strongly agreed that they gained new or improved adult-learning skills. 95% felt their understanding of
human rights concepts and principles had increased.
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Sample of Participants in Attendance 2009
THAILAND BRAZIL
Ms. Pornpit Puckmai Mr. Thiago Amparo
Empower Foundation Conectas Direitos Humanos
Ms. Puckmai is the first recipient of the Ruth Selwyn Bursary
for Achievement in Empowering Women and Girls. She is Since 2006, Mr. Amparo has been the Coordinator of the
being recognized for her over 10 years of effort fighting for International Human Rights Colloquium and Program
equal rights for sex workers in Thailand as well as safe and Assistant at the Global South Program at Conectas Direitos
Building a Global Culture of Human Rights
fair working conditions. Humanos in Brazil. As Coordinator, he is responsible for
Ms. Puckmai is the Advocacy Coordinator at the Empower the organization of the VIII International Human Rights
Foundation in Thailand where she has been working for 10 Colloquium event. As Program Assistant at the Global
years. She oversees the daily running of the Empower South Program he has done work as a translator and
Chiang Mai Drop-In Center for sex workers. She monitors, disseminator at the Sur Journal. Furthermore, he has
analyzes and develops strategies and implements actions worked in international advocacy conducted by Conectas
to address changes in the situation of sex workers. As a at the United Nations.
key person for Empower’s human rights programs, Ms.
Puckmai has assisted in the development of the current Conectas Direitos Humanos is an international non
training package for High Heeled Human Rights Defenders governmental organization. Its main activities consist of
and runs regular human rights training activities for sex human rights trainings, legal aid and assistance and
workers, students and organizations. publications adressing all categories of rights, including
freedom from torture and degrading treatment, rights of
The Empower Foundation is a local non governmental human rights defenders and women’s rights. They mostly
organization that works with sex workers. The foundation work with academic institutions (e.g. teachers, school
works on capacity building, advocacy and publications on personnel ), NGOs and women.
economic, social and cultural rights, labour rights, women’s
rights and the right to life and security.
HAÏTI
MALI Ms. Jean Enock Joseph
Ms. Virginie Mounkoro CONOCS Foundation- Cité Soleil
Djobila Centre Notable Collective
Ms. Mounkoro is responsible for education activities on the Mr. Joseph is the General Coordinator of the CONOCS
abolition of excision and on women’s and children’s rights Foundation where he has worked as a volunteer for 7
at the Djobila Centre, where she has been working for 25 years. He is responsible for planning activities and
years. She is responsible for the design of all training program and project elaboration. Furthermore, he actively
sessions. participates in the design and delivery of human rights
education activities.
The Djobila Centre is a non governmental organization
working to build the capacity of actors within civil society on The CONOCS Foundation is a non governmental
issues such as gender based approach, advocacy and organization that works mainly on citizenship education,
social mobilization. The organization promotes children’s community involvement, democratic principles and human
and women’s rights through human rights training and rights. To do so they also organize advocacy campaigns.
debates on cultural practices. The Foundation works with academic institutions,
grassroots organizations, children and youth. They address
questions such as political and civil rights, economic,
cultural and social rights and women’s rights.
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Public Interest Events
Social Events Exploring human Rights Universality
Opening Night Presenter: Yousry Moustafa, Project Manager of the GTZ
Project: Promotion of Women’s Rights in Egypt, and Rhoda
Monday, June 15. 18:00. Théatre Thérèse-Casgrain — Howard-Hassmann, Canada Research Chair in
Ms. Noha Roukoss, of the Caritas Lebanon Migrants International Human Rights at Wilfrid Laurier University,
Center, and Ms. Alice Nderitu, of Fahamu – Networks for Waterloo (Canada).
Social Justice, will address the participants and guests. Ms.
Presentation: The relation between the universality of
Margaret Sekaggya, UN Special Rapporteur on the
human rights and cultural diversity.
Situation of Human Rights Defenders will then address the
Monday, June 22. 10 :30h. Agora.
audience to launch the 30th IHRTP.
Building a Global Culture of Human Rights
Human Rights Education and Globalization
Host Family Dinner
Friday, June 19. 17:30 ― As part of the IHRTP, Equitas Presenters: John Foster, Research Associate (Civil
organizes an event where participants are invited to Society/Governance) at the North-South Institute, and
Canadian homes for dinner as a unique opportunity for Thérèse Bouchard, Human Rights Consultant.
intercultural exchange. Families volunteer to host a dinner Presentation: The impact of globalization on the respect of
in their own homes for up to four participants from around human rights and human rights education strategies to
the world. Many families participate year after year in this address this changing context.
event. Tuesday, June 23. 11 :00h. Agora.
The Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre
Indigenous People’s Rights: The Experience of
Sunday, June 21. 5151, Côte Ste. Catherine Road ― Canada’s First Nations People
The optional trip to the Memorial Centre began in 2004 as
a way to educate and engender reflection about human Presenter: Kenneth Deer, Editor of the Eastern Door and a
rights and moral responsibility. The Center aims to alert highly respected member of the Canadian First Nations
the public to the universal perils of prejudice, silence and community.
indifference and raises awareness about human rights Presentation: The link between the international human
through the teaching and documentation of Holocaust rights system and the human rights situation of the First
history. This trip enables all participants, particularly those Nations People of Canada. The role of the media in human
who have witnessed brutality, massacres or genocide in rights education, specifically focusing on indigenous
their own countries, to experience another way in which the issues.
witness of gross human rights violations can prompt Thursday, June 25. 19:30h. Agora.
activism and education to prevent the development and
recurrence of such situations. Advocating for Children's Rights
Presenters: Kathy Vandergrift, Chairperson of the
Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children, and Nadja
Special Presentations Pollaert, General Director of the International Bureau for
Children’s Rights (IBCR).
Human Rights Education Role in human Rights Presentation: An overview of child rights advocacy and the
Defenders’ Work ways in which human rights education complements its
execution and effectiveness.
Presenter: Margaret Sekaggya, UN Special Rapporteur on Thursday, July 2. 1:30. Agora.
the Situation of Human Rights Defenders. All events except the Host Family Dinner and the visit to the Montreal
Holocaust Memorial Centre take place at:
Presentation: The challenges facing by Human Rights John Abbott College
Defenders and the role of human rights education in their 21275 Lakeshore Road
work. Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec H9X 3L9
Tuesday, June 16. 9:00h. Agora.
For further information, please contact
Élise Voyer, Communication assistant, 514-660-6352
You may also got to the IHRTP Office at John Abbott, Herzberg Building,
Room H-163
Phone: (514) 457-6610 ext. 5289 or (514) 803-0752
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IHRTP Quotes
The different methods used gave
me a brand new vision on how to
adapt the training material that I
have been using in order to make
it more participatory.
Not only did the program answer We are in regular contact with participants from
my needs, but it also engrained into Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the
me the desire to become a promoter Russian Federation. We exchange information
of this wonderful and essential (…) and education programs. We have learned a
Building a Global Culture of Human Rights
culture of human rights throughout lot about the ways in which NGOs and
my life! Thank you! governments can collaborate.
It is a highly organized,
I think that now I
inspiring, and motivating
can do my work
program - a rare chance
as a trainer
that is provided for lucky
much better. I
people who believe in
can also design
HR!
projects and
implement them.
The significant change was
in the idea of human rights
education. These
methods/ways of learning Not only the content which was
Because I work for a are new for my country. basic but comprehensive, the
government institution, and Since we never had any atmosphere was unmatchable - It
most people work for NGOs, human rights education was a lifetime opportunity to be a
their resources and experiences before! part of Mini Human Society
helped me to look at the same gathered here - This was, in fact,
problems with a different lens. the real learning opportunity.
I have gained a lot and
what I learned here will
I had among other objectives enable my organization to
the desire to reinforce my develop a training manual Best training I have attended
knowledge of international and also know how to not only because of substance
instruments and pedagogic sustain programs and and process but because the
techniques. The results have incorporate advocacy. atmosphere and attitude of
been obtained. I come out of staff, interns, facilitators and
this process with a lot of participants encourage respect
experiences and knowledge. for human rights.
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