Course Description
This certificate course introduces learners to the various dimensions of human rights protection as it applies to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The rise of internal conflicts in the last couple of decades, accompanied with natural disasters in many poorest parts of the world, has led to emergence of more than 27 million IDPs today. It is obvious that their particularly vulnerable situation creates deep inroads into their human rights. This course addresses the international legal principles and guidelines for protection of IDPs, and the operational challenges to their protection and durable solutions. The course is designed to provide a contemporary flavour to the topic using recent and emerging crises situations around the world as case examples. The course begins with an overview of the contexts in which IDPs emerge in today’s world, before addressing the international and regional legal frameworks for the protection of their human rights. The institutional dimension of operational responses is then analyzed by understanding and deconstructing the Cluster Approach, as well as the role of UNHCR in the protection of IDPs. The role of civil society as well as gender dimensions of protection of IDPs is then analyzed. Finally, the course looks at the possible durable solutions and contemporary challenges thereto in the context of IDPs.
This e-learning course is based on a dynamic pedagogy including reading materials, video clips, case studies, and interactive webinars with the instructor as well as officials of UNHCR.
This course can either be taken stand-alone or as part of the Professional Development Online Diploma on Human Rights and Forced Displacement.
Course Outline
Week 1. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in today’s world
Week 2. IDPs and Human Rights: The international and regional legal frameworks
Week 3. The Cluster Approach, and the role of UNHCR and civil society
Week 4. Gender dimensions of Protection of IDPs
Week 5. Durable Solutions
Week 6. Contemporary challenges to protection of IDPs
Who Should Apply
The course is intended for staff members of NGOs and government agencies advocating for and working on the protection of IDPs, staff of inter-governmental agencies and others interested in these issues. Candidates should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use.
About the Instructors
Dr. Jan Hessbruegge (Germany) works for the New York Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Since 2005, he has worked as a United Nations human rights officer for the United Nations, where he worked for the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights in Geneva, United Nations peacekeeping missions in Sudan and Haiti, the Commissions of Inquiry on Human Rights in Syria and North Korea, the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and the Representative of the Secretary-General on Internally Displaced Persons. He holds a law degree from the University of Muenster in Germany, a Master of Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School, the Diploma in Public International Law of the Hague Academy of International Law and a doctorate in international law at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany.
Dr. Mihir Kanade (India) is the Director of the UPEACE Human Rights Centre and is also the Head of the Department of International Law and Human Rights at UPEACE. His principal area of academic research and study is Human Rights and Globalization, covering several themes within that interface including forced displacement and migration, sustainable development, indigenous peoples’ rights, public health, trade and investment, amongst others. He has extensive experience in training staff of inter-governmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as professionals, in the field of human rights. He acts as an advisor to several human rights organizations and corporations on issues related to human rights and international law. He is also an adjunct faculty at Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio (Spain), Cheikh Anta Diop University (Senegal), and Long Island University (United States). He has a LL.B from Nagpur University (India) and a Masters degree and PhD from UPEACE. Prior to his pursuit in academia, Mihir practiced for several years as a lawyer in the Bombay High Court and in the Supreme Court of India, focusing on issues of fundamental human rights violations. He has also taught several professional certificate online course on the protection of refugees, stateless persons and IDPs.
How to register:
To apply, please fill up the enrollment form at https://hrc.upeace.org/index.php/enroll/ OR send an email to admissions@hrc.upeace.org along with your CV and a short Statement of Purpose (not more than 500 words) indicating the motivation for taking the course. Applicants will be contacted within three working days of the application. The course is limited to 25 participants.