The project will build capacity on human rights legal education at Bulgarian universities. The NCHR will work with the "Procedural Representation of Republic of Bulgaria before the European Court of Human Rights" Directorate at the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice and the New Bulgarian University. Together, they will complete a series of capacity building measures to ensure that human rights are taught in quantitative and qualitative terms, by qualified academic staff.
Expert review of existing curricula
As part of the program, NCHR experts will carry out a review of the existing curricula. Through cooperation with the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice and the New Bulgarian University, they will collect information from university management, teachers, and students as necessary. They will also review documents and other sources as needed.
When this initial analysis is completed, a working group will draw up guidelines on the implementation of Human Rights in horizontal training (included in other disciplines) and vertical training (as a compulsory subject and/or specialized Master's program).
Establishment of a doctoral program in human rights
The project will also provide support for the establishment of an accredited human rights doctoral program at a Bulgarian university. The NCHR will provide a training plan, and consult and coordinate with Bulgarian experts during a 3-day study visit to Oslo. Initial training will also be provided.
Planned results and outputs
- Complete analysis of existing curricula, and of the effectiveness of human rights teaching at Bulgarian universities.
- Produce guidelines on the introduction of human rights in the curriculum for legal education.
- Draft a training plan for horizontal and vertical teaching of human rights as a discipline in law training.
- Train future human rights educators and provide support for the establishment of an accredited human rights doctoral program at a Bulgarian university.
Publications