Announcements

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.

Program Overview

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

"The Human Rights Advocates Program of Columbia University has enabled me to understand the wider dimensions of my peoples assertion for justice, peace and recognition. The combination of theory - auditing select lectures on Law, International Affairs, Anthropology, Education, Health, Gender, Human Rights at Columbia University - along with workshops on fundraising, public speaking, theatre, media advocacy are of immense value.

One major challenge the Naga peoples, and many other indigenous communities face is recognizing and enabling women to participate in decision making processes. While women continue to be the backbone of the socio-economic, cultural and spiritual life of the Nagas, there is only a (very) marginal role women play in the political life and in major decision making processes.

It is very important that Columbia University's doors remain open for all indigenous women and men who fight every day for the recognition and respect of human rights."

- Athili Kholi (Naga from India) who is the first indigenous participant at Columbia University's Human Rights Advocates program, 2011.

Aplication online for 2012 HRAP (half of August to mid-December 2012)

Completed applications are due by 11:59pm GMT on Friday, November 18, 2011.

The completed application must be submitted online by the deadline. Applicants should take into consideration technical issues and begin the process in advance of the deadline.

The online application system will automatically close as of this deadline.

http://hrcolumbia.org/hrap/apply/