FW: CfA: The Universality of Human Rights in a Newly Extended Europe, Budapest Deadline: 23.1.2004

[Katalin Fabian]

> Subject: CfA: The Universality of Human Rights in a Newly Extended Europe,
> Budapest Deadline: 23.1.2004
> 
>> From Balkans List
> 
> CfA: The Universality of Human Rights in a Newly Extended
> Europe, Budapest Deadline: 23.1.2004
> 
> THE UNIVERSALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN A NEWLY EXTENDED EUROPE
> 
> As the European Union extends to embrace more members, it will be
> presented with ever-increasing challenges with the co-existence
> of the different cultures within its borders. The challenge for
> human rights in particular will be shaped by the discourse of
> universality vs. relativism, which shaped by the struggle between
> the norms of international human rights instruments and those
> norms that are embedded in local traditions and cultures.
> 
> Much has been and will continue to be said and written on the
> topic of the universality of human rights.  No doubt many formal
> conferences and policy workshops will be held in the future.
> Unfortunately, however, it is all too common for this debate to
> remain within academic or official governmental spheres that
> rarely include young people. The Human Rights Students'
> Initiative (HRSI) at the Central European University (CEU)
> approached the Council of Europe to organize a study session
> around this topic, specifically designed for precisely those
> young people who are being excluded from such debates.
> 
> The Central European University (CEU) is an internationally
> recognized institution of post-graduate education in social
> sciences and humanities. CEU seeks to contribute to the
> development of open societies in Central and Eastern Europe and
> the former Soviet Union by promoting a system of education in
> which ideas are creatively, critically, and comparatively
> examined. 
> 
> HRSI is a human rights organization comprised of students and
> alumni from CEU, who mostly originate from the countries of
> Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
> Considering the nature of the university's student body, issues
> such as multiculturalism and cultural perceptions of human rights
> are therefore some of our major concerns. Although HRSI mostly
> focuses on projects that are of benefit to CEU students, HRSI
> also implements at least two international/regional projects per
> year. In so doing, it links the solid theoretical base provided
> by CEU to the practical application and promotion of human rights
> as carried out by young human rights activists in the region.
> 
> This study session will engage its participants in interactive
> and practical examinations of the major arguments of the
> Universalists and the Relativists. The selected participants
> together will search for space that can be shared by both
> international human rights norms and cultural variety. In other
> words, the participants will seek human rights values that are
> common to all cultures, and can be respected regardless of
> cultural differentiation.
> 
> Using a variety of role-playing scenarios, case studies and other
> interactive and participatory methods, young people from
> different cultures and regions of Europe will discuss and examine
> differing as well as shared perceptions on the application of
> human rights norms. By freely exchanging their views and their
> culturally-shaped local experiences, the participants will
> construct a defense of the universal application of human rights
> that respects cultural differences. Based on this experience, the
> participants will develop an outline of an informal human rights
> education course that can be replicated in their countries of
> origin through local NGOs or youth organizations.
> 
> AIMS OF THIS STUDY SESSION
> 
> The overall aim of this study is to introduce the participants
> the issues surrounding the debate about the universality of human
> rights, and to search for common human rights values that can be
> respected alongside cultural particularities.
> 
> OBJECTIVES
> 
> ? To introduce participants to the notion of Human Rights and the
> concept of their universal application
> ? To examine arguments that challenge and support the
> universality of human rights as related to participants personal
> backgrounds and experiences.
> ? To search for common values amid cultural differences that
> would drive the universal application of Human Rights
> ? To explore ways young people can contribute to the promotion
> and protection of Human Rights in Europe - through advocacy and
> Human Rights Education
> ? To engage participants in developing their own project ideas
> related to Human Rights issues in their countries.
> 
> METHODOLOGY AND PROGRAM
> 
> The educational approach that will be employed throughout the
> session will be based entirely on group participation.
> Specifically, the activities will make use of the Council of
> Europe's COMPASS Training Manual, as well as methodology
> developed by STREET LAW and RWCT .
> 
> Educational methods will include interactive exercises, group
> work, buzz groups, reflective discussions and case studies. These
> methods will stimulate reflective thinking, ownership of personal
> learning and active participation from all members of the group.
> They will be encouraged to transform theoretical ideas about
> human rights and democracy into strategies for action. An
> educational environment will be promoted that encourages
> intercultural understanding and the free exchange of ideas
> 
> Before the session begins, participants will be asked about their
> own learning needs, and will be encouraged to contribute their
> ideas to the session's development. During the study session
> itself, continuous feedback and evaluation will be used on a
> daily basis to ensure that the learning process is immediately
> shaped by the whole group, in such a way that each member has a
> say and contributes to the final outcome.
> 
> PARTICIPANT PROFILE
> 
> This study session is designed for participants who:
> 
> ? Are between the ages of 18 and 25
> ? Actively participate in an NGO or a Youth Group involved in
> Human Rights-related work
> ? Have demonstrable experience in active outreach and are
> interested in Human Rights Education
> ? Are either citizens of a European country, or who can
> demonstrate a legitimate connection to the region (such as by
> residence, studies, profession, etc.)
> ? Do not have strictly academic backgrounds in human rights issues
> ? Are able to work and interact in English
> ? Can commit to full participation and attendance for the
> duration of the study session
> 
> 
> Priority will be given to applicants from minority or socially
> disadvantaged groups, as well as those applicants for whom this
> study session will be one of their first international
> educational or training experiences.
> 
> TEAM OF TRAINERS
> 
> A multicultural team from the Human Rights Students' Initiative
> at the Central European University and the Roma Press Center in
> Budapest is responsible for the design of the program of the
> study session. It is supported in its work by training experts
> from the European Youth Center, Budapest. The individual
> components of the session will be conducted by outside experts,
> the organizers, as well as by the participants themselves.
> 
> APPLICATION PROCEDURE
> 
> All candidates must fill out the application form that can be
> found on the HRSI website (www.hrsi.ceu.hu), and email it, along
> with a C.V. or Resume to Michael Leach at the Human Rights
> Students' Initiative at the following email address:
> 
> leachm at ceu.hu
> 
> Although email submissions are greatly preferred, if candidates
> are unable to email their applications to the organizers, they
> may send hard copies by post to the following address:
> 
> The Human Rights Students' Initiative
> Central European University
> Nádor u. 9 
> 1051 Budapest
> Hungary
> 
> The preparatory team will select up to thirty participants from
> the applications received on the basis of the profile outlined
> above. All efforts will be made to ensure as balanced a group as
> possible in terms of gender, geographical distribution,
> backgrounds, organizations, and motivations. Candidates will be
> informed about whether their application has been accepted or
> rejected between January 28th and the 30th, 2004.
> 
> DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
> 
> The deadline for Applications is January 23th, 2004.
> 
> FINANCIAL AND PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
> 
> Travel Expenses:
> All travel expenses and visa fees will be reimbursed as per
> Council of Europe regulations upon presentation of relevant
> receipts. Only those participants who attend the entire study
> session can be reimbursed. Payment can be made either in the form
> of cash at the end of the study session, or a bank transfer
> afterwards (in Euros).
> 
> Accommodation:
> Rooms and meals will be provided at the European Youth Center in
> Budapest, and paid for by the Council of Europe.
> 
> Enrolment Fee:
> An enrolment fee of 43 Euros is payable by each participant. This
> amount can be paid at the EYCB during the course, or can be
> deducted from travel expenses reimbursements.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Location: Budapest, Hungary
> Deadline: Jan 23, 2004
> Website: www.hrsi.ceu.hu