Course 7E03: Using the Internet for Human Rights Work - Introductory course
17 March-11 May 2003

Facilitator: Frank Elbers

HREA is offering an introductory course on using the Internet for human rights work. Participants will be introduced to proven methods of using the Internet efficiently and effectively, including the use of search engines, Web browsers, listservs, Web-to-email services, information management, and security and privacy tools.

This course involves eight weeks (approximately 40 hours) of reading, exercises, discussion, interaction with students and instructor/facilitator and assignments. E-mail will be the main medium for the course, although participants will need to have periodic access to the Web. The course is based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning.

The course is intended for staff members of human rights and social justice organisations, researchers and others who regularly use the Internet in their human rights work or study. Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance upon completion of the course.

Course outline

Week 1. Human rights information on the Internet
Week 2. Using e-mail and Web-to-email services
Week 3. Using listservs
Week 4. Basics of Web browsers
Week 5. Basics of Web browsers (continued)
Week 6. Search engines
Week 7. Instant messaging and chat
Week 8. Encryption and other tools to protect privacy

About the instructor/facilitator

Frank Elbers is Deputy Director of Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) and coordinates distance education programming. He has been responsible since 1998 for the implementation of HREA's web site and the on-line Resource Centre and Learning Centre.

Before joining HREA, Frank worked for the Anne Frank Foundation (the Netherlands), the Netherlands Helsinki Committee and SATELLIFE, an international development organisation that promotes the use of ICTs by health professionals in developing countries. Frank has conducted ICT trainings and workshops for Education Development Center, the Inter-American Institute for Human Rights and UNESCO. He is moderator of the HURIDOCS-Tech listserv on the use of new technologies for human rights work and has facilitated various on-line working groups for the United Nations Development Fund for Women's (UNIFEM) on women's human rights.

Who should apply

The course is intended for staff members of human rights and social justice organisations, researchers and others who regularly use the Internet in their human rights work or study. Candidates should have a good written command of English (the working language of the course) and have high competence and comfort with computer use. Please be aware that an advanced course (Course 3E03: Use of Information and Communication Technologies for Human Rights Work-Advanced course) will be offered as well, intended for staff members of human rights and social justice organisations who are responsible for information and communication (i.e. information officers, webmasters/webweavers).

Costs

The course tuition fee is USD 300 and needs to be paid in full by 14 March 2003 in order to guarantee a place in the course. Scholarships are available for applicants from Africa, Arab World, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe/Newly Independent States, Latin America/Caribbean. Payments can be made with international money orders, checks in US Dollars, via bank transfer, or with major credit cards.

Application

Deadline for applications was 28 February 2003. We are no longer accepting applications. This course will be offered again from 20 October-14 December 2003.