African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies

12TH TRAINING COURSE ON THE USE OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS PROCEDURES
FOR THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA

22 to 27 April 2004, Dakar, Senegal.

The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) is a
Pan-African organisation, established in The Gambia in 1989. Since its
inception, the Centre has been at the forefront in promoting and
protecting human rights and democracy in Africa, through training,
action-oriented research, publications and documentation. The Training
Course on the Use of International Human Rights Procedures for the
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Africa is one of the main
tools of ACDHRS to promote the use of international human rights
instruments to protect human rights in Africa. The 12th Course in this
series will run from 22 to 27 April 2004, in Dakar, Senegal.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this Course is to build the capacities of young
human rights activists, on the use of regional and international
instruments and mechanisms to promote and protect human rights in Africa.
This Course anticipates that participants would gain the required
knowledge and skills to be able to advocate their governments and relevant
national, regional or global human rights institutions on issues regarding
all human rights in their countries, and also embark on human rights
education programmes.

The training course is conducted in both English and French with
simultaneous interpretations. The Course comprises general lectures,
debates, simulation sessions, round table discussions etc, which focus on
the African Human Rights System, the United Nations Human Rights System
and International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.

Other relevant topics such as the African Union and the New Partnership
for African Development and what they hold for the African continent, as
well as the Human Rights aspects of HIV/AIDS in Africa, would also be
discussed.

RESOURCE PERSONS

Resource persons would be eminent African human rights experts.

FINANCE

There are only very limited numbers of scholarships available for the
training course. Organisations wishing to apply for these limited
scholarships should do so early. Individuals wishing to apply should have
the backing of their organizations. However, selected applicants who can
secure their own funding would be assured of participation. The
scholarships offered by ACDHRS include airfare, board, lodging, tuition
documents and administration costs.

Short listed Candidates would be responsible for all pre- departure
expenses including communication, medical, visa, passports etc expenses,
as well as all transit expenses, as their contribution to the Course.

The cost of participation is roughly estimated at $170 inclusive of
lunches, teas, administration expenses and tuition. Participants would,
however, take care of their accommodation and other expenses. The Centre
would endeavor to provide a list of hotels with their various charges in
due course.

PLACE AND DURATION OF THE COURSE

The Course would last for 6 days, commencing from 22 to 27 April 2004, in
Dakar, Senegal.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SELECTION

Candidates must meet the following requirements to be accepted:

Must be between the ages of 25-40 years old.
Must have at least one-year experience in human rights work.
Must occupy a position relevant to the training and as such demonstrate
the ability to make use of the course in his/her work.
Must be able to write and speak fluently in either English or French.
Must submit a one-page curriculum vitae
Must send copies of relevant pages of their passports
Must submit a one-page letter of support from the Head of their
organisations affirming that all the post-Course requirements shall be
implemented.

Selected candidates would be required to submit, prior to their arrival
for the Course, at least a five-page report on the human rights situation
in their countries. Information on the expected contents of the country
reports would be sent in due course.
Participants would be required to undertake a project in line with their
duties in their organisations, where the benefits of the Course would be
applied and he/ she would report back to the Centre on the project.

ACDHRS funded participants would be required to participate in the Forum
on the participation of NGOs in the 35th Ordinary Session of the African
Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), scheduled to take place
in Dakar, immediately after the Course, from 30 April to 2 May 2004 and
the public sessions of ACHPR at the same venue, from 3 to 6 May, 2004.

Candidates would be given further information on this upon selection.
Participants should bring along a prepared outline of the project they may
want to undertake after the training course. The support of their
organization should be indicated.

Participants would be required to complete and submit an impact assessment
form on the Course after one year.

VISA

The African Centre would endaevour to make arrangements for the issuance
of visa and inform participants accordingly.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

All application should reach the ACDHRS on or before 11 February 2004.
Late applications would not be accepted. Successful applicants would be
informed of their selection by 5th March 2004. Candidates are encouraged
to send their applications by fax or email. Below is the contact address
of the African Centre.

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African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies

FORUM ON THE PARTICIPATION OF NGOS IN THE 35TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE
AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES' RIGHTS, AND

9TH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS BOOK FAIR

30th April-2nd May 2004, Dakar, Senegal

The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) is a
Pan-African organisation, established in The Gambia in 1989. Since its
inception, the Centre has been at the forefront in promoting and
protecting human rights and democracy in Africa, through training,
action-oriented research, publications and documentation. The Forum on the
Participation of NGOs in the Ordinary Sessions of the African Commission
on Human and Peoples' Rights is one of the main tools of ACDHRS to promote
networking among Human Rights NGOs, for the protection of human rights in
Africa. Between 1990 and 1994, ACDHRS collaborated with the International
Commission of Jurist (ICJ, Geneva), in facilitating the participation of
civil society organisations and academicians from Africa and beyond in the
African Commission's sessions. However, since April 2000 the ACDHRS, in
collaboration with the African Commission and other Human Rights
Organisations, had taken over the facilitation of the participation of
several NGOs and individuals in the African Commission's sessions through
the NGO Forum. The last Forum held in Banjul was a resounding success with
participation of almost 100 persons, coming from NGOs, interstate
organisations, the academia etc.

The ACDHRS also organises the African Human Rights Book Fair alongside the
Forum and the public sessions of the Commission, to enable NGOs network
and initiate or renew exchange of materials with each other and publicise
their activities.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of the Forum is to foster closer co-operation among
NGOs, and with the African Commission for promoting and protecting human
rights in Africa and to provide a platform for organisations working on
Human Rights issues on the continent. The Forum is conducted in both
English and French with simultaneous interpretation.

RESOURCE PERSONS

Resource persons would be eminent activists and experts dealing with human
rights issues in Africa.

PARTICIPATION

Participants are required to finance their participation. ACDHRS would
charge a registration and participation fee of 110 United States dollars
to cover teas, lunches, and other administrative expenses incurred for the
duration of the Forum. Participants are expected to pay the said amount
in liquid cash, on arrival at the venue, before being registered for
participation. Arrangements for accommodation and feeding should be made
by participants before arrival in Dakar. The Centre would endaevour to
make arrangements for visas to be issued on arrival and thereof, inform
participants accordingly. Otherwise, participants are advised to obtain
their visas before traveling to Dakar. Display of publications at the book
fair is a basic requirement for participation. It is advisable to hand
carry your publications. Further information will be communicated to
interested individuals and organizations in due course.

PLACE AND DURATION OF THE FORUM

The Forum would take place in Dakar, Senegal, from 30th April to 2nd May
2004 and the public sessions of the African Commission tentatively from
3rd to around 6th May 2004. The venue of the Forum would be announced and
hotel information provided for participants in due course.

AGENDA

The following are proposed as the main themes of discussion:

1. The African Union, NEPAD, the African Commission, and Human Rights
2. The Protocol on Women's Rights in Africa
3. The Human Rights Situation in Africa
4. Slavery and Child trafficking in Africa
5. The Final Communiqué of the 34th Ordinary Session of the African
Commission and matters arising
6. The Human Rights dimension of HIV/AIDS in Africa
7. The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights
8. The African Union and CSOs relationship

We invite suggestions /comments to the Agenda. However, we remind you that
the Forum, as usual, will be for 3 days.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications should reach the ACDHRS on or before 16th February 2004,
whereupon, further administrative information would be communicated.
Participants are encouraged to send their reply forms by fax or email.

Below is the contact address of the African Centre.

The Executive Director
African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies
Zoe Tembo Building,
Kerr Sereign.
The Gambia
Tel: (220) 462340
Fax: (220) 462338
Email: [email protected]