Equitas is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Montreal, Canada. Founded in 1967, Equitas works to advance equality, social justice and respect for human dignity through transformative education programs in Canada and around the world. Equitas’ global programming has been built upon the experience of its annual International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP) in Montreal. Since its inception in 1980, over 3,800 human rights defenders from more than 100 countries have attended
the program.
Currently, Equitas engages in regional programs in West and East Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Asia, Canada, Latin America and Haiti. These regional programs focus on further equipping human rights defenders to promote human rights principles and values such as equality, inclusion and non-discrimination in their communities. They also play an important role in building networks of human rights defenders. Capacity-building for national human rights institutions and government institutions, including ensuring collaboration between such entities and NGOs, is also an integral part of Equitas’ regional programs. Innovative elements of Equitas’ approach to human rights education include:
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- Promotion of human rights-based approaches in response to challenges regarding
human rights abuses, sustainable development, democratic governance and conflict - Education focused on building knowledge, skills and positive values
- Participatory learning approaches/methodologies
- Follow-up and support for practical application of learning
- Ongoing evaluation
- Engaged partnerships and networking that include systematic sharing of expertise and methodologies
The IHRTP requires participants to actively engage in group work and read extensively. Therefore, all participants must be fluent in either English or French.
Organizations and participants are carefully selected in order to maximize the benefits from the IHRTP. Organizations that nominate candidates must:
- have a demonstrated commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights
- have an established record for effective action
- be involved in human rights education activities such as training sessions, workshops, public awareness campaigns, advocacy, monitoring
- be committed to providing opportunities for their candidate to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the Program within the organization
The IHRTP is primarily designed for representatives of non-governmental human rights organizations (NGOs), national human rights institutions and government departments that have undertaken some human rights education training activities. In a limited number of cases, consideration will also be given to candidates affiliated with other types of organizations involved in human rights education and corresponding to the above profile, such as educational institutions.
Candidates from qualifying organizations must:
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- be active employees/volunteers with their organizations for at least two years
- be in a position to influence the human rights education work of their organizations
- have knowledge of human rights principles and major international instruments
- be committed to transferring knowledge and skills gained during the Program to colleagues and to others with whom they work
- be sensitive to the issues which arise when working in multicultural groups, and be respectful of diversity.
A Selection Committee will review all applications. In addition to the requirements previously listed, consideration will be given to overall gender balance and geographic representation.
How to apply
- Create an account on ContactEquitas
- Complete the online application form
- Upload the required documents on your ContactEquitas account :
- the Memorandum of Agreement duly signed by the candidate and the director of the candidate’s organization
- Two supporting letters from national and/or international human rights organizations (other than the candidate’s) that are familiar with the candidate’s work and/or the work of their organization
- A brochure (and/or mission statement) describing the candidate’s organization
- Submit your completed application online
The completed application must be submitted on your ContactEquitas account by:
- November 20, 2018 for international candidates;
- March 19, 2019 for Canadian residents and citizens.
If you haven’t received an email confirming that we received your application by December 3, 2018, please contact Equitas immediately at pifdh-ihrtp@equitas.org.
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Please note that the application form is only accessible on a computer and cannot be completed on a mobile phone or digital tablet.
The IHRTP participation fee is $6,195 CAD. This amount covers:
- tuition
- program materials
- accommodation
- meals
- emergency medical insurance
Participants are responsible for their international transportation as well as of any extra expenses such as entertainment and meals purchased outside of the cafeteria.
Through the support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Equitas may be able to award a limited number of partial and full bursaries to selected international candidates. A full bursary includes tuition fees (including room and board) for the 3-week training program as well as travel expenses.
Once eligibility has been determined, the selection committee will award the bursaries to the international candidates who best meet the requirements. Due to the limited number of bursaries available, there is no guarantee that international candidates selected will receive funding. Therefore, we strongly urge all candidates to immediately begin seeking funding from other sources.
One special bursary, the Ruth Selwyn Bursary for Achievement in Empowering Women and Girls, will be awarded to a candidate who has:
- demonstrated a sustained commitment to the empowerment of women and girls
- advanced the rights of women and girls through the use of innovative methods, including education
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Read more on 2019 International Human Rights Training Program in Canada website
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