Second Generation of Human Rights Defenders School Kicks Off in Serbia

Civil Rights Defenders is delighted to see another 50 participants partake in the second generation Human Rights Defenders School which is held in Belgrade and Nis in Serbia. Today the students will begin an intensive ten-month training. Created by Civil Rights Defenders the school’s principal goal is to empower a new generation of human rights defenders.

The lectures and workshops focus on contemporary human rights issues that are prevalent in Serbian society today such as: human rights concerning LGBT people, the Roma community, transparency and accountability, transitional justice, freedom of media and other related topics. The classroom experience is also complimented with many field trips so the students can get hands on knowledge of the issues affecting their society. These trips include study visits to Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as volunteering opportunities for the participants at major human rights events. The participants were all chosen from more then a hundred applicants.

“We have established the Human Rights School because we want to look to the future. What we are aiming for is to create a new generation of well trained, skilled human rights defenders, who will protect and promote human rights in the long run” said Goran Miletic, Programme Director for the Western Balkans at Civil Right Defenders, who will be the first lecturer on the School.

More then 50 lectures and workshops will be arranged throughout the duration of the Human Rights Defenders School hosted by Civil Rights Defenders’ partners, distinguished human rights defenders, law experts and representatives of the international community.

Civil Rights Defenders launched the first Human Rights Defenders School in January 2015. You can read more here.