Application Deadline: 10:00 AM, New York time, on January 6th, 2016.
Founded in 1989, the Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) is a unique and successful model of human rights capacity building. HRAP capitalizes on its affiliation with Columbia University and its location in New York City to provide grassroots leaders the tools, knowledge, access, and networks to promote the realization of human rights and strengthen their respective organizations.
HRAP’s comprehensive program of advocacy, networking, skills-building, and academic coursework provides advocates the opportunity to hone practical skills, develop a deeper understanding of human rights, and foster mutually beneficial relationships with organizations and individuals in their respective fields.
Eligibility Requirements
- The Program is designed for lawyers, journalists, doctors, teachers, social workers, community organizers, and other human rights activists working with NGOs on issues including sexual and gender-based violence, minority rights, LGBT rights, labor rights, migration, health, social exclusion, environmental justice, disability rights, and corporate social accountability.
- Advocates must work at the grassroots level. Applicants from high-income countries will not be considered except for those representing marginalized communities.
- Advocates must provide proof of institutional endorsement in English from their organizations for their participation in the Program and must commit to returning to that organization upon completion of the Program.
- Participants are selected on the basis of their previous work experience in human rights, commitment to the human rights field, and demonstrated ability to pursue graduate-level studies. Full-time students or government officials will not be considered. Applicants holding full or part-time jobs pursuing their advocacy efforts are preferred.
- Fluency in English is required. Preference is given to those who have not previously had opportunities to travel and study internationally.
Benefits
After completing the intensive four-month program, Advocates are able to more effectively lobby for their causes and address the human rights concerns of their community. The comparative advantages of the Human Rights Advocates Program are its:
- Comprehensive program of skills-building, networking, advocacy, and academic coursework
- Emphasis on individual and organizational capacity building
- Affiliation with Columbia University and location in New York
- Weeklong networking trip to Washington, D.C.
- Alumni body of 271 human rights advocates in more than 80 countries
Selection:
- After ISHR conducts its stringent selection process, it makes every effort to secure funding for shortlisted Advocates to attend the program.
- In certain cases where ISHR cannot secure funding, shortlisted Advocates may be asked to secure the funds needed for them to be admitted to the program.
- Applicants will be notified in June of their status. Please be patient as the selection and funding processes are lengthy.
How to Apply:
- To begin a new application, register as an HRAP user.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP)
