Our Training Programs

• Overview

• Annual Regional Human Rights Defenders Course

• Thematic Priorities

• Current Schedule

• Participants

• Application Forms

• Past Training Programs

Overview

The Diplomacy Training Program builds on 20 years of working in partnership with organizations and advocates in the region to develop and implement training programs to strengthen the knowledge and skills of community advocates and human rights defenders.

DTP adopts an applied human rights focus and a rigorous academic method, as well as providing innovative and practical skills-based training. It aims to address and respect the experiences and aspirations of participants, to engage different cultural and religious perspectives.  It is solely an educational institution, has no sectarian or political affiliations.  Its teaching methodologies are participatory, providing space for course participants to share and learn from each other’s experiences.

The Diplomacy Training Program is able to bring together academics, officials and NGO practitioners to provide participants with specialized knowledge and experience in Indigenous Peoples Rights, the Rights of Migrant Workers, and in the emerging areas of human rights and business and trade and human rights.  

Annual Regional Human Rights Defenders Course

The Diplomacy Training Program’s 20th Annual Regional Human Rights Defenders Program concluded at the Presidential Palace, Dili, Timor-Leste on 13 August 2010. There were 25 participants in the program, with many coming from areas with a history of conflict, and where conflict continues. Conflict arises over issues such as self-determination, identity and discrimination and natural resources.  These places include Mindanao in the Philippines, Southern Thailand, West Papua, Bougainville and PNG, NE India (Manipur), Chittagong Hill Tracts (Bangladesh)—as well as Timor Leste. The program was enriched by the sharing of participants’ experiences and the contribution of trainers including Dr Sarah Pritchard, Professor Virginia Dandan, Sam Gregory, Louis Gentile, Jony da Cunha, Aderito Soares, Joao Pequinho, Rafendi Djamin,  Professor Paul Redmond and Joshua Cooper.  

DTP’s Founder and Patron, Dr José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste and Dr George Aditjondro from Indonesia opened the program and spent the first morning with participants, sharing reflections, and experiences and responding to questions. The warm welcome from all in Timor-Leste and the opportunity to learn from the East Timorese made this a very special 20th Anniversary program. 

• Schedule of 2010 Program
• 2010 Brochure
• Report of 2009 Program

Thematic Priorities – Responding To A Changing Region – Globalization and Human Rights

Accelerating processes of globalization, and increasing gaps between rich and poor are creating new challenges for human rights defenders in the Asia-Pacific Region.   Some sections of societies have become more vulnerable.  At the same time there is growing recognition in international law and policy of the rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups and of the need to take particular steps to protect and uphold these rights. 

These challenges and new opportunities for participation in decision making processes at the national and international level mean that human rights defenders and community advocates need more specialised knowledge and skills to make a difference.

Since 2003 the Diplomacy Training Program has introduced new thematic courses on Indigenous Peoples Rights, Migrant Workers, Human Rights and Business and Human Rights and Trade to supplement its flagship annual regional Human Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy Course.

These specialized thematic courses respond to pressing human rights challenges in the region, and build on DTP’s proven track record of providing practical knowledge and skills to empower community advocates to make a difference.

The Diplomacy Training Program is also committed to developing new thematic programs to promote knowledge, understanding of the newly adopted Disability Rights Convention and to apply experience of the Children’s Rights Convention.

Current Schedule

2012 Program Schedule*

Participants

Most participants in DTP courses are active in community organisations and NGOs. Sometimes applications are also accepted from staff of UN agencies, National Human Rights Institutions and also governments in specific circumstances.

Participants are sought through an open application process. Nominations from partner NGOs in the region are also welcomed. Applications from Indigenous participants are actively encouraged. Attention is given to balancing gender and depending on the course, regional representation. The Diplomacy Training Program seeks information on how applicants will apply the training to their work and a commitment to taking the training back to the benefit of their organisation/community. Two references are obtained for each application.

Programs are conducted in English, so the capacity to participate and work effectively in English is required. In most programs there is a great range of ages and experience and this adds considerably to the richness of each program. The sharing of knowledge and experience and the development of support and solidarity networks between participants is actively encouraged.

Application Forms

New! Applications are now available for the 22nd Annual Human Rights and People's Diplomacy Training for Human Rights Defenders from the Asia-Pacific Region. The program will be held from August 27th - September 14th, 2012 in Timor Leste.

• Additional 22nd Annual Training Program Information
• 22nd Annual Program Application Form

New! Applications are now available for the Asia-Pacific Human Rights Advocacy and Indigenous Peoples in Australia Program held on the 4-7 June in Broken Hill.

• Additional Human Rights Advocacy and Indigenous Peoples Program Information
• Application form

Applications for additional 2012 programs will be available soon.

Past Training Programs