AU WATCH

General Human Rights Training-

A Short Course

AU Watch also offers customized short courses to academic institutions, national and international bodies and NGOs from around the world. In the past lawyers, university students, human rights activists, journalists, NGO members people with an interest in human rights have also benefitted from such bespoke courses.

About the Training Courses

The African Human Rights System rights lie at the core of each training course, but the training also brings together a diverse array of subjects relevant to human rights and their integration into diplomacy, international and multilateral relations. The training includes both a theoretical and practical component.

Amongst other subjects, the theoretical part includes in-depth information on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights(African Commission) and its mechanisms,the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Court); the AU, its history, human rights and legal bodies and mechanisms, the Pan African Parliament, the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, role of the AU Member States and NGOs. The training course provides participants with a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the workings of the AU system, AU soft and hard law, as well as the role of civil society in AU activities.

The practical component 

The practical component of the training typically includes attending meetings and sessions of human rights bodies and, depending on the length of the training, may include taking part in the organization and execution of a side-event. An integral part of the training focuses on teaching participants how civil society contributes and interacts with the AU and its bodies. The main focus throughout the training will be the regional human rights mechanisms, namely the African Commission and its mechanisms, the African Court, the NGO Forum, which normally precede the Sessions of the African Commission. We also arrange interviews and discussion with key individuals within the African system.

With regard to the meetings of the NGO Forum and the African Commission, trainees learn the procedures for preparing, submitting and delivering written and oral statements. Trainees will be assigned to various groups at the NGO Forum and may even be able to lead debates and discussions. For Sessions of the African Commission, participants are taught how civil society can submit information, including Shadow Reports, as well as how to lobby Member States to help ensure that their organization’s issues and concerns are addressed by States. Participants are also taught how to submit cases to the African Commission, the African Court and the Expert Committee for the Rights of the Child. Participants will also learn how to interact and work with the Special Mechanisms of the African Commission, which are an invaluable instrument to the work of AU Watch and all civil society.

Who can Participate?

The training course is open to all who have an interest in human rights, especially within the African context. These courses are meant to cater to the educational and professional development needs of various and organizations in order to provide their students and staff with exposure to specialized discourse on topics of human rights within the African context and African regional law. Course lengths can be shortened or extended to suit such needs.

This training will provide you with useful and valuable knowledge whether you are a student, recent graduate, NGO, human rights activist, lawyer, university professor, judge, diplomat, or any other professional, or just someone who wants to learn more about these topics.

Tutors of Our Human Rights Training

Our tutors have years of experience and top qualifications in their subjects. Many are human rights practitioners who have taught at university level.

DrFeyi Ogunade: Chief Executive and Co-Founder of AU WatchBA Ed (USL); LLb Hons (Lond); MA (Human Rights, Lond); LLM (International Law, UEL – magna cum laude); MA Journalism. (Lond); Dip. Media law (Lond); MA (Int. Rel. Bristol); DPhil (York)

Dr Feyi Ogunade was previously a Senior Legal Advisor at the African Union leading work on the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa. In his 30 years as a (motivational) speaker, journalist, human rights activist, political commentator, international lawyer, university lecturer, fundraiser, and consultant Feyi has taken CSOs of all sizes to new heights – and earned an international reputation for excellence in the process. Feyiserves on several company boards and advisory committees for non-profit organizations, and is actively involved in numerous development initiatives across Africa.

Certificate of Completion 

All successful participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from AU Watch.

 

Training Costs

Training fees vary depending on the duration and tailored aspects of a course. Fees typically cover the training itself and related materials.Participants are responsible for all personal costs to attend the training including, but not limited to, travel arrangements, accommodation, board and medical insurance

Registration Information

If you are interested in participating in a training course, please email us at [email protected] with “Training” + the month and year of the training in the subject line (for example: “Training – November 2020”).

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, but early applications are encouraged.

The email must include:

  • First/given name(s) as it appears on passport
  • Last/family name(s) as it appears on passport
  • Date and place of birth
  • Current activity/work
  • Education,
  • Field of study
  • Nationality
  • Current place of residence

 

We look forward to seeing you at a future human rights training course!