Bringing UN recommendations home
In many countries, there is a gap between human rights recommendations from the United Nations and actual implementation. This training course, jointly co-organized with the Geneva Academy, seeks to bridge this implementation gap by increasing knowledge about the UN among law experts and educators in specific countries.
By practitioners - for academics
This training is part of a larger programme that was initiated in 2017.
We found that it was important to increase the ability of academics and law experts to engage with the human rights mechanisms in order to follow-up on recommendations and promote human rights nationally, says Cecilie Figenschou Bakke, Programme Director at the NCHR.
Ms Bakke further states that academic colleagues in Asia expressed a strong interest to learn more about the UN, and this training series addresses that need.
- We are truly grateful to the Geneva Academy for this cooperation which enables the Asian law scholars to dig into the political and legal nature of the Geneva-based human rights mechanisms, says Bakke.
Opening ceremony Geneva-Oslo
Director of the Geneva Academy, professor Gloria Gaggioli, opened the seminar on Monday 9 November. She praised the joint initiative between the two academic institutions and encouraged the participants to stay in close contact with the Geneva Academy and to visit Geneva when borders re-open.
Vice-rector at the University of Oslo, Professor Åsa Gornitzka, focused on the importance of knowledge sharing during the pandemic. She stressed how universities can play an important role under these very special circumstances.
As borders close- keep minds open!
This was the strong message delivered by professor Gornitzka on the first day of the training.
- Problems travel freely across borders, but states can not handle them alone. This project, supported by the NCHR, contributes to increased understanding of how multilateral organsations function, and have the potential to solve global challenges, said Gornitzka.
Special Project Manager and former UN Diplomat, Kamelia Kamileva led the rest of the first afternoon with discussions on the UN human rights mechanisms system and a presentation of the law making in the UN Human Rights Council.
For the rest of the week participants will acquire a rare insight into the functioning of the Geneva-based human rights mechanisms through direct observation (UPR 36th session), digital visit to the UN, practical exercises, and discussions with leading experts, UN officials, diplomats, and CSO representatives.
Fully digital training programme
This annual training normally takes place in Geneva in May, but is fully digital this year, with studios set up in Geneva and Oslo.
More details about the programme on UN Human Rights Mechanisms at the NCHR and a full overview of the training programme for 2020 can be found here.