The UN Human Rights Commission Fellowship Programme is specifically designed for people of African descent. It offers intensive human rights training to individuals from the diaspora who are actively engaged in promoting the rights of people of African descent. It takes place once a year at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva and it is fully funded.

Key Features of the Programme

• Intensive training on international human rights law, the UN human rights system, and combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
• Skill-building sessions on project proposal development, presentation delivery, and submission of information to human rights mechanisms.
• Exposure to various human rights mechanisms and opportunities to interact with a diverse range of actors.

Purpose of the Programme

The primary goal is to enhance participants’ skills to contribute effectively to the promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of people of African descent in their respective countries. Participants will acquire tools to facilitate the development of legislation, policies, and programs, strengthen civil society collaboration with governments, and conduct local awareness-raising activities.

Requirements

• Applicants must be individuals of African descent residing in the diaspora.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience related to the rights of people of African descent.
• Submission of a letter from an organization working on issues related to people of African descent or minority rights certifying the applicant’s status.
• Availability to attend the full duration of the programme, including pre-online courses and preparatory assignments.

Fellowship Date

The Fellowship will take place from November 11 to November 29, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. Fellows are also expected to dedicate time to pre-online courses and preparatory assignments in the preceding two weeks.

Benefits

• Return ticket (economy class) from the country of residence to Geneva.
• Basic health insurance coverage.
• Stipend to cover modest accommodation and living expenses during the programme.

Application Process

• Applications can be submitted in English, French, or Spanish via email to ohchr-africandescentfellowship@un.org
• Required documents include CV, completed application form,
• Personal statement (maximum 500 words) in which the candidate will explain his/her motivation to applying, and how he/she will use the knowledge gained from the fellowship to promote the interests and rights of people of African descent.
• An official letter from the nominating organization or community certifying status
• A copy of the applicant’s passport.
• Email subject header should mention: “Application for the 2024 Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent.”

Please Note: Name attached documents as follows:

LAST NAME First name – Type of document

Example: SMITH Jacqueline – Application form.doc

SMITH Jacqueline – A Personal Statement.doc

SMITH Jacqueline – Letter certifying Status.pdf

SMITH Jacqueline – Passport.pdf

Application Deadline: May 31, 2024

For more information and to apply, please visit the Official Webpage of the UN Human Rights Commission Fellowship Programme.