Call for applications: ODIHR Training on Communication for Human Rights Defenders
When
Where
Organized by
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is currently implementing a project in Ukraine entitled “Advancing the Human Dimension of Security in Ukraine”. As part of this project, ODIHR is opening a call for applications for a 5-day training event on Communication for Human Rights Defenders.
Participants
ODIHR is looking for up to 15 human rights defenders in Ukraine, with a focus on applicants preferably working in Southern and Eastern Ukraine.
The training is offered free of charge to selected participants.
Objectives
The training aims to equip human rights defenders with the skill set and tools required to communicate the results of their human rights monitoring more effectively, strategically, and with a bigger impact. As such, they will learn to optimise their findings, recommendations and advocacy messages.
In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenging situation for any human rights agenda, this training will also teach human rights defenders how to communicate human rights persuasively, how to approach sensitive topics, and how to use digital storytelling.
Participants can expect to gain or improve the following core skills and knowledge:
- formulating an impactful story and changing a narrative
- communicating human rights effectively, in a gender-sensitive manner
- communicating about sensitive issues
- data visualization
- video production
- digital storytelling
- social media campaigning
The event will be held in Ukrainian, Russian and English. Simultaneous interpretation from English to Ukrainian/Russian and Ukrainian/Russian to English will be provided during the training.
The training methodology is based on practical exercises, and requires a working laptop and active participation.
Application and selection
The training is specifically designed for human rights defenders with proven experience of human rights monitoring or advocacy in Ukraine. It is aimed at human rights defenders in Ukraine who are or will be using communication skills and knowledge gained in this training for human rights advocacy or other human rights-focused communication.
ODIHR is dedicated to providing trainings for human rights defenders regardless of gender, ethnicity or age. Applicants from Southern and Eastern Ukraine, and those working on Roma issues, LGBTI and women’s rights are especially encouraged to apply.
ODIHR will select rank applications on a competitive basis. Selected participants will receive the training invitation in the week of 12 October 2020. ODIHR does not inform applicants who have not been selected for the training.
The following criteria are used by ODIHR for selection of the participants:
- proven track record as a human rights defender in Ukraine
- demonstrated experience of human rights advocacy, communication, and/or monitoring and reporting
- relevance of the training for future human rights activities especially in the regions of Southern and/or Eastern Ukraine
- limited or no communication knowledge, skills, or tools
- good level of digital literacy
- fluency in Ukrainian/Russian/English
- availability for the full duration of the training
Interested human rights defenders are welcome to submit their applications by 9 October 2020. They will need to fill in the enclosed application form in English, Ukrainian or Russian and email this, together with their CV, to Ukraine-CSproject@odihr.pl
Human Rights Defenders
The OSCE/ODIHR recognizes as a human right defender any person promoting and striving for the realization of human rights regardless of profession, age or other status. Human rights defenders carry out their human rights activities individually or jointly, as part of an informal group or as a non-governmental organization (NGO), and act in a voluntary capacity or professionally. The key characteristic that defines human rights defenders is not who they are but what they do and the principles they stand for.
Questions
In case you have questions, please contact Ukraine Project team at Ukraine-CSproject@odihr.pl.