Past Training Programs
2008
5th Regional Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights Advocacy Course, 11 - 20 August 2008, Northern Territory, Australia
DTP’s 5th regional program on Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and Advocacy was held in Darwin, Batchelor and Katherine, Australia from 11 – 20 August 2008. The program brought together 24 community advocates from Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Burma, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka. The program was held in partnership with the Batchelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE) and the Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF). This was the first regional DTP course on Indigenous Peoples Rights to take place since the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007.
Human Rights Advocacy and Business - A Regional Capacity Building Program for Advocates, 23 - 27 June 2008, Manila, the Philippines
DTP’s 3rd regional program focusing on human rights advocacy and business assisted advocates to respond to the challenges for human rights posed by the growing power and influence of corporations, particularly multi-national corporations. The five-day intensive course was held in partnership with Action for Economic Reform and the Institute of Human Rights of the University of the Philippines Law Centre.
Human Rights and Advocacy - A Capacity Building Program for Australian Indigenous Advocates: Follow-Up Program, 28 April - 2 May 2008, Sydney, Australia
This program followed on from the Human Rights and Advocacy training program that was run in partnership with Oxfam Australia and held in February 2007. The program aimed to build on the earlier training that participants had undertaken with Oxfam Australia’s Indigenous program staff and partner organisations in order to deepen knowledge of human rights and their application. This was the first time that the Diplomacy Training Program has been able to organise such a follow-up program and it provided an important opportunity to reflect on the outcomes and value of previous training of Australian Indigenous advocates.
Human Rights and Trade Program, 28 March-4 April, Malaysia
DTP’s Human Rights and Trade Program brought together advocates from the human rights movement, development non-government organisations, trade justice advocates, women’s organisations, National Human Rights Institutions and trade unions. The course provided participants with knowledge about key aspects of the development framework including the evolution of trade and aid policies, and human rights accountability mechanisms relating to trade. Participants also developed practical skills in advocacy, lobbying and working with the media to promote the nexus between international trade and human rights.
Oxfam Indigenous Youth Program, 11-15 February, Sydney, Australia
DTP’s program with Indigenous Australian Youth took place in Sydney from February 11-15. The timing proved fortuitous, coinciding with the National Apology to Indigenous Australians by the Prime Minister and Parliament. There were 26 participants from communities across Australia. The commitment, enthusiasm and skills of the participants are a cause for some hope and encouragement and their response to the program affirmed its value.
2007
17th Annual Regional Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy Course, November 19-December 13, Wellington, New Zealand
This 3-week flagship course welcomed 29 participants in 2007 from 17 countries including, Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, PNG, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines and Australia. The program included participants from places torn by conflict over issues of self-determination including Mindanao, Kashmir and West Papua. The course was held in partnership with Amnesty International New Zealand and the Council for International Development (CID). The course was opened on November 19th by the Governor-General of New Zealand, the Hon Anand Satyanand. The course focussed on the international human rights framework, advocacy, the rights based approach to development and the relationships between peace, justice and reconciliation. Trainers included Dr Sarah Pritchard, Professor Paul Redmond, Clarence Dias, Philip Chung, Ced Simpson and Joy Liddicoat.
Special Project for the People of Burma, 10 sessions over July - December 2007, Sydney, Australia
From July 2007 to December 2007, the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) conducted a special capacity building program for advocates from Burma living in Australia . The program built on longstanding support that DTP has provided to the Burmese human rights movement. Previously this support has mainly been provided through training with advocates living as refugees in countries neighbouring Burma . Australia is now home to an increasing number of refugees from Burma – including some DTP alumni.
Within the communities of people from Burma now settled in Australia, there is a strong commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in Burma – and a desire to develop the knowledge and skills do so more effectively, and to reach out to the wider Australian community for support. A special non-residential program was designed and took place on alternate Saturday’s from July – December. 35 participants started the course including drawn from the Karen, Mon, Shan and Rohingya, Arakanese and Burman communities.
The course coincided with a renewed international focus on Burma in response to the mass protests of Buddhist monks and others, and the subsequent and continuing crackdown. The course participants were significantly involved in efforts to give support to these protests and to bring international pressure to bear on the military regime. The course was designed and conducted in partnership with Burmese community organisations and was very positively evaluated.
The DTP remains committed to assisting Burmese human rights advocates in Australia and the region.
4th Migrant Workers Rights in the Asia-Pacific, October 15-19, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Next Program
October 15-19, 2008 in Vietnam
The project was aimed at building the capacity of NGO and Trade Union advocates in the Asia-Pacific region to promote the human rights of migrant workers. The main focus of the project was creating a five-day training program to develop understanding of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Family (ICRMW) and other international legal standards of particular relevance to migrant workers in the Asia-Pacific region such as ILO Conventions and the UN Convention on Trafficking.
2nd Human Rights Advocacy and Business, August 20-25, Jakarta, Indonesia
Next Program May, 2008 in Manila, Philippines
This capacity building program brought together 31 community advocates from the Asia-Pacific region for a five day intensive course to build knowledge and understanding of the relationships between corporations and human rights, and to develop advocacy skills in relation to business.
4th Indigenous Peoples, Minorities, Human Rights and Advocacy in the Asia-Pacific, April 14-23, Darwin, Australia
Next Program August 2008 in Batchelor, Australia
The focus was on enhancing skills and networking of Indigenous advocates from Australia and the region, with an emphasis on issues around natural resource development and attention paid to the new Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples in Australia, February 5-9, Sydney, Australia
Next Program April 2008 in Sydney, Australia
The Diplomacy Training Program in partnership with Oxfam Australia facilitated a program for Oxfam’s Indigenous Australia Program staff and Oxfam’s Indigenous partner organisations from around Australia. There were 28 participants in the course. The course provided information on the international human rights framework and Australia’s commitments to, and its obligations relating to, international human rights standards. The course had a particular focus on the right to health and the rights based approach to development. Regular DTP trainers Dr Sarah Pritchard, Garth Nettheim, and Jacqui Katona were joined by Professor Daniel Tarantola, Maria Graterol, Jane Singleton and Gary Highland. The course was very positively evaluated by participants.
Notable Quotes:
“This training helped me to establish international solidarity, strategic allies and networking as well as share information and further the human rights agenda.”
“I’m saddened to hear about the international participants’ situations. The international participants were very interested in my work and the issues surrounding Indigenous Australia. I now have a better appreciation of life in Australia.”
2006
16th Annual Regional Human Rights and Peoples Democracy Course, November 26-December 13, Timor Leste
The course was held in partnership with the Peace and Democracy Foundation, Timor Leste and brought together 27 participants from 12 countries. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies were held at the home of DTP’s Founder and Patron, Dr Jose Ramos-Horta, the Prime Minister of Timor Leste. The training was conducted in Dare, Baucau and Dili. The program was enriched by its location in Timor-Leste and the hospitality of the East Timorese. It was possible to learn more about the suffering endured by the East Timorese, the struggle for self-determination and human rights inside and outside the country and the current situation in Timor Leste. The course focussed on the international human rights framework, advocacy, the rights based approach to development and the relationships between peace, justice and reconciliation. Trainers included Dr Jose Ramos-Horta, Dr Sarah Pritchard, Professor Paul Redmond, Bishop Gunnar Stålsett, former British Ambassador, Tina Redshaw, Joaquim Fonseca, Catherine Anderson and Sam Gregory of WITNESS.
Human Rights Advocacy and Business, September 25-29, Sydney, Australia
The Diplomacy Training Program's first course on human rights advocacy and business was held in Sydney from September 25th-29th and brought together 27 participants from 15 countries. The course was held in partnership with the Australian Human Rights Centre.
The program explored some of the challenges relating to human rights advocacy and business. These challenges include shifts in the balance of power between government and private sector, a lack of clear international standards guiding or binding corporate responsibilities with respects to human rights, a lack of political will to hold companies accountable, and corruption. Participants learnt of international developments around industry codes of conduct, the UN Norms on Human Rights and Business and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises and exchanged experiences on strategies for holding companies accountable.
The program was officially opened by Justice Elizabeth Evatt and was closed by Justice Michael Kirby of the Australian High Court. Expert resource people on the program included Emeritus Professor Paul Redmond, Justine Nolan, Professor David Kinley, Richard Meeran, Tim Connor and Jacqui Katona.
The program was made possible through funding support from Oxfam Australia, Caritas Australia, NZAID and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and Advocacy, May 3-12, Darwin, Australia
This was the fifth program on the theme of Indigenous Peoples and human rights to be held by the Diplomacy Trainin Program since 2003. This program brought together 22 advocates from around Australia and the region with participants from Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, New Caledonia and the Philippines. There was a particular emphasis on the Right to Health. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health travelled to Australia to participate in the program. Other trainers included Dr Sarah Pritchard, Professor Garth Nettheim, Minnie Degawan, Jacqui Katona, Ursula Raymond and Olga Havnen. Participants were welcomed to Parliament House by Barbara McCarthy and certificates were presented by Mathew Bonson. The program was made possible through funding support from Oxfam Australia, Caritas Australia, NZAID and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Migrant Workers and the UN Convention on Migrant Workers’ Rights in the Asia-Pacific Region, April 7-11, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
This was the third regional program to be held on this thematic issue - one of the region's most pressing human rights issues. This was the first time that the program was held in a country that is a major destination for the region's migrant workers. There were 31 participants from 13 countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and South Korea. Trainers included Shanthi Dairiam, of the UN Committee on Discrimination Against Women, Clarence Dias, Laurie Berg from Australia, Temesgen Samuel from the ILO and Nisha Varia, Researcher with Human Rights Watch. The program was held in partnership with Migrant Forum Asia, the Malaysian Trade Union Congress, Pusat KOMAS, Aliran and Messrs Charles Hector. The program was made possible through a grant from the Myer Foundation and the support of Oxfam Australia and Migrant Forum Asia.
2005
15th Annual Regional Human Rights and Peoples Democracy Course, November 26-December 13, Timor Leste
The course was held in partnership with the Peace and Democracy Foundation, Timor Leste and brought together 26 participants from 13 countries. This was the first time in its fifteen year history that DTP’s annual regional human rights defenders program was held in Timor-Leste. The considerable East Timorese input into the program - through the hosts PDF, through the East Timorese trainers and participants and through a focus on the lessons from East Timor's history and current challenges - made the program an inspiring experience for all involved.
For three weeks participants and trainers learnt about the UN and international human rights law, discussed human rights in the region, and learnt from each other’s experiences. DTP and its participants were particularly appreciative of the high level of involvement of José Ramos-Horta in the program – both through formal presentations and the time he made available for informal small group discussions on weekends. The participants were also deeply appreciative of the opportunity to meet with the former political prisoner and leader of the East Timorese resistance and now Prime Minister of Timor Leste, Xanana Gusmao.
Human Rights, Trade and the WTO, September 14-20, Cambodia
The program was held in collaboration with Oxfam's International Youth Parliament and Women's Agenda for Change in Cambodia.
It brought together young advocates from Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific to explore the relationship beween emerging international regimes on trade and the human rights framework. It developed the skills of advocates at the same time as providing information on how human rights agreements can be used by advocates for trade justice.
Migrant Workers' Rights and the UN Convention, August 15-20, Bangladesh
The program was held in Dhaka in partnership with Migrant Forum Asia, the Welfare Assocaition for Returned Bangladeshi Employees and the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit at Dhaka University. Participants came from countries across the region including Malaysia, Nepal, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Burma and Bangladesh.
Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and Advocacy, June 20-29, 2005, Batchelor, Australia
The program was held in partnership with Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education and the Northern Land Council. It brought together 29 participants from around Australia and Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Fiji, Solomons, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.
2004
Migrant Workers Rights and Migrant Workers Convention Training Program, Nov 29- Dec 3, Jakarta, Indonesia
Held In partnership with Migrant Forum in Asia, the Asian Center for the Progress of People's and the Center for Indonesian Migrant Workers.
Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and Development A Human Rights Training Program for Indigenous Advocates in the Asia-Pacific Region, July 25-August 4, Darwin, Australia
Indigenous Youth, Human Rights and Advocacy Training In co-operation with 2nd International Youth Parliament, Oxfam Community Aid Abroad, July 13-16, Sydney, Australia
14th Annual Human Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy Training Program, February 2-20, Bangkok, Thailand
In co-operation with Asian Regional Resource Center for Human Rights Education (ARRC) and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum Asia).
2003
Children’s Rights in the Pacific Training Program, November 6-13
Human Rights Training for Indigenous Civil Society in the Philippines, August 11-23
13th Annual Human Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy, February 3-21, Bangkok, Thailand
In Cooperation with Asian Regional Resource Center (ARRC) and Forum Asia, Thailand
Annual Training participating organisations included:
Chittagong Hill Tracts Students Council, Bangladesh; Hotline, Bangladesh; East Timor Students Solidarity Council; Family Rehabilitation Centre, Sri Lanka; Aceh Student Front for Reform, Malaysia; Mekong Coordinating Team on Migrants & Victims of Trafficking, Thailand; Karenni Foreign Affairs, Thailand; Democratic Commission for Human Development, Pakistan; Friends Association for Rural Reconstruction, India; Mindinao Indigenous Peoples Consultative Council, Philippines; Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation; Cambodian Human Rights Task Force; Informal Sector Service Centre, Nepal; Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies; SHAN Herald Agency for News, Thailand; Cambodia Civil Society Project; Philippine Association for Intercultural Development; The Restoration Council of the Shan State, Thailand; Rakhaing Women's Union, Bangladesh; Zazao Environment Organisation, Solomon Islands; Jumma Peoples Link, India.
Trainers:
Prof. Prasit Aekaputra, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, Thailand
Mr Stephen Beeby, ALTSEAN, Thailand
Ms Evelyn Balais-Serrano, Forum-Asia, Thailand
Mr Jose Campino, Polical Affairs Officer, United Nations, New York
Dr. Sarah Pritchard, DTP Board Member, UNSW Faculty of Law
Mr Philip Chung & Ms Siobhan McCann, AustLII, Australia
Dr. Clarence Dias, President, International Center for Law and Development, New York
Mr W.P.J. Basil Fernando, Executive Director, Asian Human Rights Commission, Hong Kong
Mr Tyler Giannini, Director, EarthRights International, Thailand
Mr Somchai Homlaor, Secretary General, Forum-Asia, Thailand
Ms Theresa Limpin, Coordinator, ARRC, Thailand
Prof. Vitit Muntarbhorn, Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Mr Charivat Satraputra, Deputy Director General, Dept. of International Organisation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand
Dr. Chaiwat Satha-Anand, Associate Professor, Political Science, Thammasat University
Ms Sudarat Sereewat, Secretary General, Face (Coalition to Fight Against Child Exploitation)
Ms Joan Staples, Executive Director, Diplomacy Training Program
Ms Chalida Tajaroensuk, Program Coordinator, Forum-Asia
Ms Srisak Thaiary, Chairperson, Child Rights ASIANET
Dr Amnat Wongbandit, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University
2001 / 2002
Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy Training for Melanesia, mid-2002
12th Annual Human Rights & Peoples' Diplomacy Training, Feb 25-March 15, Colombo, Sri Lanka
In cooperation with Lawyers for Human Rights and Development and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
Adelaide, Australia, 18-23 November, 2001
Participated in the delivery of:
"Certificate Course II"
Held by the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre operating in association with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).
Nuku’alofa, Tonga, 18-22 June, 2001
Participated in the delivery of:
"Human Rights and Good Governance Workshop" for the youth of Tonga,
Held by the Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement, 32 participants.
Bangkok, Thailand, 26 February - 16 March, 2001
"11th Annual Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy Training"
In co-operation with Thammasat University and Forum-Asia, Bangkok, 26 participants from 16 countries.
2000
Darwin, Australia, 24 January-11 February 2000
"10th Annual Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy Training", Northern Territory University, 35 participants from 16 countries
Dharamsala, India, 9-16 October 2000
"Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy Training" for young Tibetans in India, with the Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration, 27 participants.
Suva, Fiji, 2-12 October 2000
"Peoples' Diplomacy for Human Rights and the Environment" for peoples of the Pacific, with the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre, 24 participants from 12 countries.
1999
Darwin, Australia, 4-10 December 1999
"Human Rights Training for East Timorese Human Rights Defenders", with the East Timor Human Rights Centre, at Nungalinya College, 14 participants
Sydney, Australia, 14-19 November 1999
"Young Indigenous Leaders Training", 20 participants
Cairns, Australia, 10-17 October 1999,
"Young Indigenous Leaders Training", 18 participants
New Delhi, India, 12-28 November 1999
"Human Rights Training for Burmese Human Rights Defenders", with the Burma Lawyers' Council, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, 38 participants
Bangkok, Thailand, 26 Sept-9 Oct 1999
"Human Rights Training for Burmese Human Rights Defenders" Oct with the Burma Lawyers' Council, in cooperation with Thammasat University, Forum-Asia and Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma, 39 participants.
1998
Sydney, Australia, 25 Jan-19 February 1998
"Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy", 9th Annual Training Session, 30 participants
Taipei, Taiwan, 2-6 March 1998
"DTP In-country Training" in coordination with the Medical Professionals Association in Taiwan and MPAT International Health and Human Rights Program, 25 participants
1997
Taipei, Taiwan, 2-12 December 1997
"Health and Indigenous Peoples' Rights" in coordination with Taiwan for WHO Alliance
Auckland, New Zealand, 6-11 October 1997
"Maori People and Indigenous Peoples' Rights", in coordination with Maungarongo Ki Otara Law Centre, 22 participants
Manila, Philippines 7-28 January 1997
"Human Rights and Peoples Diplomacy", 8th Annual Training, in cooperation with the Philippines Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) and the College of Law at the University of the Philippines, 23 participants
1996
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1-6 October 1996
"International Human Rights in Theory and Practice", co-sponsored by the Sril Lanka Information Monitor (INFORM), the Center for the Study of Human Rights at the University of Colombo, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, 33 participants
Perth, Australia, 22-23 July 1996
"Human Rights Education and Training: The Rights of the Child", in conjunction with Community Aid Abroad's South-West Indigenous Rights Program
Sydney, Australia, 25 August 1996
"The Right to Human Rights Education", Workshop on Asia-Pacific Human Rights Education: Tasks for the UN Decade for Human Rights Education (1996-2004), in conjunction with the Australian Human Rights Information Centre
Alice Springs, Australia 27-31 May 1996
"DTP Training: Indigenous Peoples' Rights" in coordination with the Institute for Aboriginal Development
Bangkok, Thailand, 9 Jan-2 February 1996
"Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy", 7th Annual DTP Training, in conjunction with the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM Asia), The Program for the Promotion of Non-violence in Thai Society, the Thai House Committee on Human Rights and Justice, Duang Prateep Foundation, held at Thammasat University, 30 participants
1995
Suva, Fiji, 6-18 November 1995
"DTP In-Country Training", in conjunction with the Catholic Committee of Justice and Development and local Catholic Bishops, 44 participants
Sydney, Beijing Conference Workshop, 24-26 July 1995
for Indigenous Women going the UN Fourth World Conference on Women, with collaboration and sponsorship from ATSIC's Office for Indigenous Women, Canberra, 9 participants
Kathmandu, Nepal, May 1-16 1995
"DTP In-country training", in coordination with South Asia Forum on Human Rights (SAFHR), 31 participants Bangkok, Thailand, January 1995 "Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy," 6th Annual DTP Training
1994
Sydney, Australia, January 1994
"Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy", 5th Annual DTP Training
Sydney, Australia, May 1994
"Pacific Islander session" in coordination with the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council and the Uniting Church's Board for Social Responsibility, held at Vaughan College, Macquarie University, 21 participants
Thailand/Burma border, 6-17 July 1994
"DTP In-country Training", in conjunction with the Democratic Alliance of Burma, Australian Council of Churches, Commitee Catholique Contre la Faim France, 35 participants
1993
Sydney, Australia, 11 January - 5 February 1993
"Human Rights and Peoples Diplomacy", 4th Annual DTP Training Alice Springs, Australia, 28 June-3 July 1993 "DTP Training: Indigenous Peoples' Rights" in coordination with the Institute for Aboriginal Development, 60 participants
1992
Sydney, Australia, January 1992
"Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy", 3rd Annual DTP Training, 32 participants
Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, July 1992
"Human Rights in Development" Workshops in coordination with Australian International Development Assistance Bureau and the Australian Council for Overseas Aid, 40 participants
Dharamsala, India, 13-21 April 1992
"DTP In-country training" for representatives of the Tibetan Government in Exile, in conjunction with the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) and the Government in Exile's Department of Information and International Relations, 27 participants
1991
Sydney, Australia, January 1991
"Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy", 2nd Annual DTP Training
Alice Springs, Australia 3-8 June 1991
"DTP Training: Indigenous Peoples' Rights" in coordination with the Institute for Aboriginal Development, 35 participants
Bangkok, Thailand, 13-18 May 1991
"DTP in-country Training", Chulalongkorn University in coordination with the Asian Cultural Forum on Development (ACFOD), and Chulalongkorn University Law Faculty, 32 participants 1990
1990
Alice Springs, Australia, 28 May- 2 June 1990
"DTP Training: Indigenous Peoples' Rights" in coordination with the Institute for Aboriginal Development
Sydney, Australia, January 1990
"Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy", 1st Annual DTP Training, 30 participants
Diplomacy Training Program - making a difference
Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales
NSW 2052 Australia
tel: + (61 2) 9385 3549
fax: + (61 2) 9385 1778
email: dtp@unsw.edu.au
www.dtp.unsw.edu.au |
