The Graduate Institute and the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights organise jointly a training course specially designed for diplomates and NGO representatives in the UN Human Rights Council. The classes are on 2 – 6 February 2015 in the evenings from 15h30 to 19h15 in the Villa Barton, Geneva (final timings to be confirmed). The fee is CHF 950. – (excludes housing).
Excerpts from the brochure:
Multilateral diplomacy in the advancement of Human Rights (primarily through the Human Rights Council) is one of the main activities of International Geneva. Established in March 2006, the Council is now a well-established mechanism of the United Nations and is approaching its 10th year–yet the individuals who engage at the Council sessions often change, and they often juggle a larger portfolio of responsibilities.
Everyone benefits when the Council functions better, and the council functions better when individuals arrive fully prepared to contribute at their best.
This reflects the non-partisan spirit in which this training has been designed. Preparing for high-level professional engagements requires a deep understanding the rules of the council–as well as the personal acumen to advocate and negotiate with good judgment and strong communications skills–all of which comes from familiarity, practice and individual preparation for the Council sessions.
In order for delegates and representatives to better tackle the substantive and practical challenges ahead, we are offering this training program for individuals who aspire to perform more effectively in a multilateral context. The programme is designed to enhance personal skills in multilateral diplomacy, with a particular focus on the human rights context.
Learning Themes
While taking examples on the work of the HRC and its special procedures, the training will highlight some of the prevailing substantive issues as well as the behaviors of the Council, in order to teach participants to better navigate in their aspirant work. The training will be organised around the following themes:
Functioning of the Human Rights Council:
The phenomenon of working within and across “groupings”:
Leadership in the Human Rights Council:
Learning outcomes & skills-building
- Functioning and rules of the Human Rights Council
- Chairing formal and informal multilateral meetings
- Drafting skills (in the Human Rights context)
- Negotiation and mediation skills & techniques
- Oral communications skills for public speaking “on the record” in the human rights context
- Advocacy and lobbying techniques
Methodology
The training will combine some theory, background and insights (about negotiations, the HRC and its functional history) with applied skills and techniques–including best practices and opportunities to enhance personal effectiveness. Sessions will be designed to address cross-cutting issues and will build participant skills through simulation exercises, small group breakouts, and role-playing.
Instructors will include those from the Graduate Institute and Geneva Academy, as well as actors working with (or in the domain) of the Human Rights Council.
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 
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