Topics at the Human Rights Defenders Academy
Freedom of expression, assembly, and association
How basic freedoms are denied in Western Balkan states and in what ways can activists help overcome such challenges. A closer look at standards across the world and how to monitor these freedoms locally.
Strategic use of international human rights system
Accessing international institutions and raising awareness of human rights violations in the region. How to strategically interact with the UN Special Procedures, Universal Periodic Review, ECHR and ways to utilise national courts.
Discrimination in the Western Balkans
What are the most pressing forms of discrimination and how to support disadvantaged groups in tackling these issues. An overview of legislation, institutional mechanisms and practices of anti – discrimination in the region.
Monitoring and reporting human rights violations
How to ensure violations aren’t left unpunished: how to record abuses and who should you turn to. Methodologies, strategies and tactics for monitoring and reporting violations of different human rights.
Advocating human rights in the EU
What are the key institutions and civil society organisations fighting for your rights in Europe. Strategies and practical tools for advocating human rights in front of EU stakeholders.
Communicating human rights
Spread the word and galvanise support by reaching out to media, civil society organisations and fellow human rights defenders. Develop communications for campaigns, framing and messaging, segmentation of audience, channels for targeting and public speaking.
Safety and security of human rights defenders
What are the main threats against defending human rights in the region and which precautions should be taken? A closer emphasis on the most common digital threats for human rights defenders and which tools to use to ensure security.
Policy Papers by Participants
- A Rocky Path to Justice: Police response and prosecution of hate crimes against LGBTI+ people in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Off-Air: Gender representation in the Macedonian TV debate shows during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic
- Freedom of Expression: The case for media freedoms in Montengero
- Not Everyone’s Voice Echoes Through our Black Mountain: Freedom of Expression in Montenegro
- Is Love Equal Before the Law: Same-sex relationships in the Serbian legal framework
- Stuck in the Middle: Women’s political participation as legal ambiguity in Kosovo
- Impact of Online Media Regulation on Albania’s EU Accession Bid
- Speaking Truth to Power: An Antidote to Hate Speech
Human Rights Defenders Academy
Human Rights Defenders Academy is a 5-day training event that will offer young activists the opportunity to learn from experts and gain practical experience on human rights issues impacting the Western Balkans.
Where and when?
HRD Academy took place from 22-28 November in Vršac, Serbia. Due to the unpredictable developments regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, the HRD Academy took place in a different format, one that respects regulatory and health recommendations.
How much does it cost to participate?
All costs are covered by the organisers.
The Programme 2020
- Human Rights In The Western Balkans
- United Nations Mechanisms For Protecting Human Rights
- Council Of Europe Mechanisms For Protecting Human Rights
- Introduction To Writing Policy Papers
- How To Write A Policy Paper
- Advocating For Human Rights In The EU
- International Standards On Discrimination
- Combating Social Injustice Through Campaigns
- Communicating Human Rights Messages
For whom?
HRD Academy is intended for students, recent graduates, activists, and young professionals in the field of human rights who are motivated to improve their knowledge and skills and have a background in the Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia).
Application and deadline
The applications for Human Rights Defenders Academy 2020 are closed.
