Overview

The Diplomacy Training Program builds on 17 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.  

Outline of Training Programs 2008 (PDF)

Annual Regional Human Rights Defenders Course

The Diplomacy Training Program’s flagship program is its annual regional “Human Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy Course”. This course is held over three weeks – and in different locations around the region. In 2003 and 2004 it was held in Bangkok, in 2005 and 2006 in Timor Leste.

The comprehensive course provides participants with an introduction to international public law, sessions on the International Bill of Rights and the specific human rights treaties and on the UN System – with an emphasis on human rights mechanisms and practical advice on how to integrate use of these mechanisms into human rights advocacy. The course provides training in developing advocacy strategies, internet skills and video advocacy as well providing an opportunity to explore emerging human rights issues and challenges in the region.

DTP’s 17th Annual Regional Human Rights Defenders Program was successfully conducted in New Zealand between November 19th and December 7th.  The program brought together 29 participants from 17 countries across the Asia-Pacific Region.  The program was officially opened at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand by the Governor General, Anand Satyanand.   The participants work on a range of human rights issues – the rights of children, of the homeless, scheduled castes in India, the rights of women and of Indigenous Peoples, combating discrimination, poverty, extra-judicial executions and torture.  There was a strong focus on the relationship between human rights and development.  Trainers included Dr Sarah Pritchard, Clarence Dias, Philip Chung and Sam Gregory.  There were filed trips to a Marae, to Te Papa, NZAID and the NZ Parliament.  The program was held in partnership with Amnesty International New Zealand, and the Council for International Development.  It was made possible through funding support from NZAID and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"From what i have learnt at the I will focus more on rights of ethnic minorities and improve my advocacy work in terms of bringing the voice of grassroots levels to central government."

"learning about the human rights and UN system somewhat gave me hope. Hope in the sense that in our place we were thinking that we had nowhere to go, but the system (UN) gave me courage that there is still hope."

" the training will assist me in developing our organisations country strategy. I will integrate the HR approach more in the program and also my daily life."

- Participant evaluation, Annual 2007

“DTP has provided not only academic teaching and sessions on advocacy skills but also improved communication and information sharing through group work and presentations from participants.” - Participant evaluation, Annual 2006

“The best thing about the program was the family spirit- the openness and sharing and    interacting freely.   Country presentations and the wider knowledge on the struggle for determination in each country were also very inspiring.” - Participant evaluation, Annual 2006

Report of 2007 Program (PDF)

Report of 2006 Program (PDF)
Report of 2005 Program (PDF)

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.

• Annual Human Rights and People's Diplomacy Program:

- 2008 Annual Program - Program Information - Brochure- Report (2007) - Participant Feedback (2007)

• Indigenous Peoples:

  - 2008 Regional Indigenous Program: Program Information - Report (2007) - Participant Feedback

  - 2008 Oxfam Indigenous Youth Program: Report - Participant Feedback

• Migrant Workers:

– 2008 Migrant Workers Program: Program Information - Call for Applications- Report (2007) – Participant Feedback (2007)

• Human Rights and Business:

– 2008 Human Rights Advocacy and Business: Program Information – Report (2007) – Participant Feedback

• Human Rights and Trade:

- 2008 International Trade and Human Rights Program – Program Information – Report – Participant Feedback

• Special Programs:

  – 2008 Intensive Program for the People from Burma : Program Information - Report (2007) - Participant Feedback (2007)

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

2008 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

Applications for 2008 programs are now closed. Stay tuned for new applications and updates in early 2009.

Past Training Programs