BIHR Open Course: A practical introduction to human rights - August 2012

Course brief: A practical introduction to human rights

Dates:

Thursday 16 August 2012

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Venue:

Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre,

17-25 New Inn Yard,

London, EC2A 3EA

Summary:

This one day introductory course on human rights provides participants with a good understanding of the key features, principles and standards of human rights and how they are relevant to people living in the UK. International human rights legislation will be presented in broad form but the Human Rights Act provides the main focus: the course is designed to raise awareness and to offer practical strategies which people can use when a potential human rights concern arises. We provide information on key articles contained in the Act, how the rights are applied in practice, and how individuals or organisations can make use of them. The day is discussion-based and contains numerous practical examples of individuals or organisations achieving change by using human rights.

Target group:

Practitioners working in the voluntary and community sector, public sector representatives, interested individuals.

Level:

No prior knowledge of human rights is required. Participants at these courses generally cover a fairly wide range in terms of human rights awareness. The course will cater for this.

Learning objectives:

By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
• Understand what human rights are and how they are relevant for people in the UK.
• Explain the key purpose and features of the Human Rights Act and the international human rights framework.
• Challenge some common myths and misconceptions about human rights in the UK and see the positive value of human rights.
• Understand how human rights can be used as a practical tool to support them in their work.

Overview of content:

• The ideas – introducing human rights origins, key features, principles and standards.
• The law – how human rights are expressed in international and domestic law, focusing on the UK Human Rights Act.
• The practice – how human rights can be used to tackle inequality and unfair practice, making a difference to the lives of ordinary people.

Format/length:

This course is interactive with a mix of presentations, discussions, group and individual exercises and action planning. The event runs over one day from 10am - 4.30pm.

Individual rates:

Statutory sector representatives: £250

Third sector representatives:
• £80 (organisations with less than £1M turnover)
• £160 (organisations with more than £1M turnover)

Participants attending in an individual capacity: £60

If a number of individuals would like to attend from one organisation we may be able to offer a discount.
Lunch and tea/coffee will be provided.

Training provider:

The British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) is a national independent charity. Our mission is to bring human rights to life by supporting and empowering people and organisations to use human rights to improve their own lives and the lives of others. We work with civil society organisations and the public sector, equipping them to translate human rights principles and laws into living and practical tools for change. Through this work, we aim to realise the potential of human rights to empower people, and to provide a safety net for us all when our rights are compromised.

What participants have said…
“I feel I am now able to use the information I have learned today to challenge decisions I felt were immoral but didn’t know how to address them.”

“The workshop helped me to recognise just how far human rights permeate every part of life, and that they are not just reserved for the lawyer’s forum.”

“Completely relevant. This will percolate down to affect many vulnerable people positively. Empowering.”

“Very interesting, informative stimulating and well delivered. A must for all council employees!”

Booking:

You can access the booking form by following this link.

You can download the full course brief at the bottom of this page.

File attachments: 

Understanding human rights - course outline.pdf