2006 HRAP Program Overview

PROBLEM:
Today, one of the greatest challenges faced by human rights leaders is the impact of the global economy on marginalized communities.  And yet, few of the leaders working in these communities have access to the institutions where the economic policies that affect their lives are made.  Moreover, those who gain access are often not prepared with the relevant information or connections necessary to influence the process. 

GOALS:
The Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) at Columbia University is designed to prepare proven human rights leaders from the Global South and marginalized communities in the U.S. to participate in national and international policy debates on economic globalization by building their skills, knowledge, and contacts.  This group includes teachers, lawyers, social workers, community organizers, journalists, and other activists who work on human rights problems that result from the global economic system.  

An equally important part of HRAP is the promotion of debate and dialogue on the global economy between grassroots leaders and the faculty and students at Columbia University, and in the NGO, policy-making and corporate communities.
 
PROGRAM FOCUS:
The four-month New York-based intensive capacity-building program focuses on the following key issue areas:

•	Labor rights
•	Migration
•	Health
•	Environmental justice
•	Corporate social accountability
•	International financial institutions

Activists working on the above areas from a gender perspective are strongly encouraged to apply.

STRATEGY:
To achieve HRAP’s goals, a wide range of activities are offered to participating Advocates:

•	Academic courses on international human rights standards and the impacts of the global economy;

•	Skills workshops on advocacy planning and strategies, fundraising, press and media, and building sustainable organizations;

•	Meetings and networking opportunities with NGO and corporate leaders, public officials, representatives of international financial institutions, and United Nations staff central to the global economy in New York and Washington, D.C.

TIMING AND COMMITTMENT:
The 2006 HRAP will begin in mid-August and run until mid-December 2006.  Participants must commit to fully prepare for and take part in the Program for its duration.  Selected Advocates will be required to write a short paper and prepare a presentation about their work in advance of the Program orientation.    

About the Center for the Study of Human Rights:
Since its establishment at Columbia University in 1978, the Center for the Study of Human Rights has been committed to its core goals of providing excellent human rights education to Columbia students, fostering innovative interdisciplinary academic research, and offering its expertise in international capacity building to human rights leaders and organizations.  

The Center for the Study of Human Rights actively works to ensure that local peoples and human rights advocates are included in the political and economic policy decisions that affect their lives.  

By convening faculty, students, and human rights leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds, the Center creates an environment in which extraordinary research, education, and international outreach contribute to the establishment of a more just and equitable world.

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS:
The 2006 Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) focuses on human rights and the global economy.  The program is designed for experienced lawyers, journalists, teachers, social workers, community organizers, and other human rights activists working with non-governmental organizations in labor rights, migration, health, environmental justice, and corporate social accountability.  Participants are selected on the basis of their previous work experience on human rights and the global economy, commitment to the human rights field, and demonstrated ability to complete graduate level studies.  Full-time students or government officials will not be considered.  Advocates must secure institutional endorsement from their organizations for their participation in the program and must commit to returning to that organization upon completion of the program.  Advocates must also be originating from and residing in either a developing country or the United States.  Fluency in English is required.

FUNDING:
The estimate for each 2006 participant’s total program costs including travel and accommodation in the United States is approximately $30,000.  A limited number of fellowships will be offered each year.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Completed applications are due by February 28, 2006.  All items must be received by the application deadline.  Applications may be sent by fax, email, or post.  Applicants should take into consideration the time it takes for international mail to arrive.  Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

ADMISSIONS STATUS NOTIFICATION:
Admitted applicants will be notified of their acceptance in June, when the selection committee convenes.  All efforts will be made to notify others of their status as soon as possible after this time.  However, due to fundraising cycles that could affect the total number of fellowships, candidates whose applications have been declined may not be notified until August.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please complete all sections.  All requested information should be typed or clearly printed in English.  For questions that require you to provide answers on a separate sheet of paper, please be sure to indicate at the top of the page which question you are answering.  Please limit each essay to one page per question.  

Applicants should email, fax, or post all required materials together.  Two letters of recommendation are required but may be sent separately, as scanned attachments by email, by fax, or by post. All letters should be received no later than February 28, 2006.  Applicants are encouraged to send materials electronically or by fax to avoid the high costs associated with private, express mail services.

Upon receipt of a completed application, the Center will send confirmation to the applicant.  While every effort will be made to notify applicants of any missing materials, due to the high volume of applications, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials be received by the deadline. 

APPLICATION CHECKLIST:
Before you mail your application to the Center, please check the following required materials to be sure your application is complete:

Section A:  Personal Data
Section B:  Curriculum vitae or résumé
Section C:  Essay Questions (essays 1-3)
Section D:  Institutional Statement of Support
Section E:  Materials from Your Organization
Section F:  Funding
Section G:  Skills Training Questionnaire 
Section H:  Letters of Recommendation (2) 
Letters of Recommendation sent separately

Please submit all application materials to:

Human Rights Advocates Program
Center for the Study of Human Rights
Columbia University
MC 3365
420 West 118th Street, Room 1108
New York, NY  10027 
USA

Tel:  +1 (212) 854-3014
Fax: +1 (212) 316-4578 or +1 (212) 854-6785
Email: hradvocates@columbia.edu

2006 HRAP Application
SECTION A:  PERSONAL DATA
1.  PERSONAL INFORMATION
Family/Last Name:      	Given/First Name:     	
Middle Name:      	Gender:     		
Date of Birth (month / day / year):     	City & Country of Birth:     	
Country of Citizenship:     	Country of Residence:     	
Country You Currently Work In:     		
How did you learn of the Human Rights Advocates Program?     

2.  ISSUE AREA
Note:  Only applicants working on human rights issues related to the global economy will be considered for this Program.

Please mark the area(s) listed below that correspond(s) to your area(s) of expertise:

Labor Rights
Migration
Health
Environmental Justice
Corporate Accountability
International Financial Institutions
Other:     

Briefly describe your current work and greatest challenge (limit 300 words):
     

3.  Primary ORGANIZATION’S INFORMATION 
Name of Organization:     
Your Title:     	Since date:     	
Status:	full-time  part-time  volunteer  other: 	

Organization’s Physical/Street Address:     	
City:     	State:     	
Post Code:     	Country:     	
Telephone:     	Fax:     	
Organization’s Email:     	Organization’s Website:     	

Organization’s Post Office Box Address (if applicable):     	
City:     	State:     	
Post Code:     	Country:     	

Mission/Purpose of Organization:      	
Founding Date or Age of Organization:     	Number of Staff:     	
Number of Volunteers (if applicable):     	Number of Members (if applicable):     	
Organization’s Annual Budget (in U.S. dollars):     	
Primary Funding Sources for Organization:     	
Organization’s Network Membership(s) or Other Affiliations:     	

4.  APPLICANT’S OTHER current AFFILIATIONS 
Please detail other relevant affiliations you currently have in addition to your primary organizational affiliation listed above.  For example, please provide information if you serve as a board member, or are acting as a consultant, trainer, volunteer, etc.

Name of Organization:     	Your Position:     	
Date From:     	Date To:     	
Organization’s Street or P.O. Box Address:     	
City:     	State:     	
Post Code:     	Country:     	
Telephone:     	Fax:     	
E-mail:     	Website:     	
Mission/Purpose of Organization:      	

Name of Organization:     	Your Position:     	
Date From:     	Date To:     	
Organization’s Street or P.O. Box Address:     	
City:     	State:     	
Post Code:     	Country:     	
Telephone:     	Fax:     	
E-mail:     	Website:     	
Mission/Purpose of Organization:      	

5.  COLLABORATION WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS   
Please list any international organizations with which you or your organization have been working or collaborating (e.g. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Friends of the Earth, Oxfam, etc.).

Name of Organization:     		
Contact Person (Name, Title):     	
Organization’s Street or P.O. Box Address:     	
City:     	State:     	
Post Code:     	Country:     	
Telephone:     	Fax:     	
E-mail:     	Length/dates of collaboration:     	
In what capacity have you collaborated with this organization?     	
Explain the nature of the collaboration:     	

Name of Organization:     	
Contact Person (Name, Title):     	
Organization’s Street or P.O. Box Address:     	
City:     	State:     	
Post Code:     	Country:     	
Telephone:     	Fax:     	
E-mail:     	Length/dates of collaboration:     	
In what capacity have you collaborated with this organization?     	
Explain the nature of the collaboration:     	

Name of Organization:     	
Contact Person (Name, Title):     	
Organization’s Street or P.O. Box Address:     	
City:     	State:     	
Post Code:     	Country:     	
Telephone:     	Fax:     	
E-mail:     	Length/dates of collaboration:     	
In what capacity have you collaborated with this organization?     	
Explain the nature of the collaboration:     	

6.  HOME contact INFORMATION 
Residence Street Address:     	
City:     	State:     	
Post Code:     	Country:     	
Telephone:     	Fax:     	
Personal email:     	Alternate personal email:     	

Residence P.O. Box Address (if applicable):     	
City:     	State:     	
Post Code:     	Country:     	
	
7.  EMAIL
Note:  Email will be the primary means by which the Center will communicate with you, unless it is not available.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify the Center of any changes in contact information, including e-mail address.

Preferred Email Address:  Organization  Personal  Other:     

8.  ENGLISH PROFICIENCY 
Please rate yourself:
Speaking:	Fair	Good	Excellent	
Reading:	Fair		Good	Excellent	
Writing:	Fair		Good	Excellent	
How did you learn English (if it is not your first language)? 
     

9.  TRAVEL EXPERIENCE 
Country	Date From	Date To		Purpose	
     	     	     	     	
     	     	     	     	
     	     	     	     	
     	     	     	     	
     	     	     	     	
     	     	     	     	
     	     	     	     	
     	     	     	     	
     	     	     	     	
	
10.  Education
Highest Degree You Hold:
Degree:     	Name of Institution:     	
Date of Graduation:     	Institution’s City and Country:     	
Other Degrees You Hold:
Degree:     	Name of Institution:     	
Date of Graduation:     	Institution’s City and Country:     	

Degree:     	Name of Institution:     	
Date of Graduation:     	Institution’s City and Country:     	

Degree:     	Name of Institution:     	
Date of Graduation:     	Institution’s City and Country:     	

SECTION B:  CURRICULUM VITAE/RéSUMÉ 
Please attach your curriculum vitae or résumé to this application.  Include dates and locations for all activities. 

SECTION c:  ESSAY QUESTIONS
Please answer the following questions (type written preferred).  Each answer should be on a separate sheet of paper and should be no longer than one page each.  Please be sure to put your name and indicate which question you are answering at the top of each sheet.  

ESSAY 1:  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
What are your goals and objectives?  How would you like to see your work develop?  What are the outcomes you would like to see result from your work?  What motivates you to do this work?  
     

ESSAY 2:  MEETING YOUR NEEDS
Please indicate in your own words why you think HRAP will meet your educational needs.  What are the most pressing challenges you currently face in your work?  How do you believe this Program will help you develop your knowledge, skills, and contacts to address these challenges?  
     

ESSAY 3:  YOUR COUNTRY’S ISSUES
What are the most critical impacts of the global economy on human rights in your country?  In your opinion, how should your NGO or the broader human rights/social justice movement in your country address these issues?  What are the skills, knowledge, and contacts that would contribute to the success of your organization in addressing these issues?  How relevant are studies and meetings in the U.S. to meeting these goals, for example are any of your advocacy targets based in the U.S.?  
     

SECTION D:  INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT OF SUPPORT 
Note:  The program is designed for individuals who are committed to return to their organizations immediately after the four-month training period in order to implement their newly acquired skills.  To be considered for the Advocates Program, all applicants must currently be working for a non-governmental organization working to protect or promote right(s).  Full-time students or government officials will not be considered.

On institutional letterhead, the director of your organization or your immediate supervisor is requested to write a letter of support indicating the following:
1.	The applicant’s title and length of employment with the organization;
2.	The applicant’s primary job responsibilities;
3.	Why the organization decided to support this applicant for the Program;
4.	How this program is expected to benefit the applicant, her/his organization, and the broader human rights community in which he/she works;
5.	Arrangements that will be made to cover the applicant’s post/responsibilities if he/she is selected for the Program;
6.	How the applicant’s duties are expected to change after his/her participation in the Program.

Please note that this letter of institutional support is in addition to the two letters of recommendation. 

SECTION E:  Materials from your Organization
We also request that you include (in hard copy or electronic form) a pamphlet, annual report or other general information on the work of your organization.

SECTION F:  FUNDING
The 2006 program activities fee is $15,700.  This fee covers the advocate’s participation in workshops, skills-training sessions, site visits and other program activities.  Approximately an additional $14,300 is required to cover the cost of round-trip travel to New York City, the four-month stay at International House and other living expenses.  There are a limited number of fellowships available for qualified individuals accepted into the Program.  Please indicate below your anticipated source of funding:

Own funding		Amount and source:     

Fellowship requested

If applying for a fellowship, please write below or on a separate sheet of paper a brief essay (no more than one page), detailing why you believe you should awarded a fellowship. 
     

 SECTION G:  Capacity Building QUESTIONNAIRE
The following questionnaire will help us to match your needs with the program.  Please rank from number 1 (very interested) to 5 (somewhat interested) the areas you are most interested in building your capacity.  Please rank only 5 areas.  Please mark the sub-categories that most interest you.

     Understanding the International Human Rights System
International human rights norms and treaties
The United Nations system 
Regional systems

     Understanding the Global Economy
Understanding the broader impacts of the global economy on human rights
International Financial Institutions (World Trade Organization, World Bank, etc.)
Corporations / Corporate Social Responsibility / Corporate Accountability

     Human Rights Advocacy Skills
Planning an advocacy campaign
Use of international and domestic law
Grassroots mobilization
Negotiation and mediation
Data collection, interviewing, and reporting

     Networking and International Contacts
Building relationships with relevant issues-based NGOs
Direct lobbying of government or intergovernmental bodies in the U.S.
Meeting with U.S.-based corporations

     Human Rights Education Skills 
Primary and Secondary
Adult and non-formal education

     Work with the Media
Writing press releases
Cultivating media contacts
Giving interviews

     Effective English Communication Skills
Public speaking and presentation skills
Writing articles, policy briefs, and action materials

     Organizational Management and Development Skills
Fundraising
Leadership development
Organizational sustainability
Managing stress and trauma

     Modern Communications/Technology
Using the internet/e-mail
Web-site design

SECTION H:  LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Two letters of recommendation are required.  All letters should be received no later than February 28, 2006.  Although letters of recommendation may be sent separately from the other application materials, the applicant is responsible for making sure that letters of recommendation are submitted on time.  Letters of recommendation must be received in a format that captures the original letterhead and signature.  It is therefore suggested that letters of recommendation be sent as scanned attachments by email, by fax, or by post.

Each recommendation should address the following points:
1.	How long and in what context the recommender has known the applicant
2.	Applicant’s level of commitment to human rights work
3.	Applicant’s experience related to human rights
4.	How this program is expected to benefit the individual, her/his organization, and the broader human rights community in which he/she works
5.	Applicant’s ability/capacity to undertake intensive university-level training
6.	Applicant’s English fluency (if English is not the applicant’s first language)

Please provide the following information for those individuals from whom you have requested letters of recommendation:

Full Name:     
Title/Position and Department:     
Organization:     
Telephone:     	Fax:     	
E-mail:     	
Included with application	Sent separately		

Full Name:     
Title/Position and Department:     
Organization:     
Telephone:     	Fax:     	
E-mail:     	
Included with application	Sent separately