2007 Testimonials - Course 10E: The United Nations Human Rights System

What participants said about this course:

"The course met my expectations very well."

"[The course met my expectations] very well. It covered a good number of well chosen topics which enhanced my understanding of the UN human rights system and the Human Rights Council in particular. It gave me the opportunity to think critically about this system and hear different perspectives from participants from around the world."

"[Course] met my expectations very well. I spent much time in excess of the syllabus hours."

"I feel that most of my expectations from the course have been met, I have learnt more about the implementation of human rights laws and procedures in practical life for the benefit of women and children. I have also realized that providing speedy justice to the people whose rights are being violated is a dream which is difficult to materialize in the currently prevailing hypocritical systems and nations."

"Met my expectations pretty well. The materials were well thought out. The process of reviewing the system at the same time as the Council was meeting was very effective."

"To a large extent the course met my expectations. I am very happy for the large volume of information made available to me."

"The course was very well organized and informative, especially taking into consideration practical tasks and chatting opportunities as well as possibility to exchange views, experiences and information."

"The course met my expectations for the interesting topics and the high professional level of the participants. However I found the amount of legal material to read overwhelming and unfortunately I was not prepared to dedicate more than the average time for the readings, as my knowledge on legal issues and human rights was very limited."

"In general terms, the course met my expectations well, although I could already build on some knowledge from working with the OHCHR. But it was still useful to count with specific lecture on the U.N. Human Rights System, which allowed approaching the topic in a systematic manner."

"Before joining the course, apart from minor involvements in human rights activities, I didn't have much exposure to world of human rights. I wanted to enhance my knowledge base of the sky under which the United Nations works in the area of human rights. I am happy the way the course turned up in subsequent weeks under the guidance of a distinguished scholar in the field along with an interaction of excellent peer group with on site experience and a friendly structure of the course (the way it was organized) helped me achieving my expectations."

"It's a bit hard for me to differentiate between how much I learned through the course and how much I had already known before. However, I found the course really useful and particularly liked the personnel comments and feedbacks which [name of course instructor] posted every week."

"The course and the information were pretty amazing. I appreciated being able to read along with the full level students, and to review their discussions and perceptions. I think I will keep going back to the documents to review information."

"I thought the topics were well chosen and very well structured."

"I liked the flexibility with choosing topics."

"The way in which the course has been structured met my expectations."

"Appropriate selection of topics which were successful in providing a smooth flow to the course, incorporating introduction, the 4th session of the Human Rights Council ending with the performance review of the council by the participants."

"I thought the readings were very good - although I would comment that the readings (and assignments) took me longer each week than stated on the course outline."

"The only thing Iwould like to have more literature for reference and reading."

"Most of the readings were very interesting but some times lengthy."

"While working more than full time, I couldn't finish the lecture every week. Therefore, a bit less volume and more concise articles would have been useful, although I know that that's difficult to find regarding the complexity of the topics…"

"The study materials provided along with the links for references and the optional study guides have been extremely helpful in building a vast knowledge pool."

"I thought the weekly discussions were useful. I do think the weekly discussion requirement took more time than stated on the course outline."

"Though I could not take part in some of the weekly discussions but I can say that the discussions were really very fruitful and provided a view of some of the experts of the human rights."

"My limited legal knowledge was an obstacle for effective learning."

"Very valuable participation by several participants, the frankness of expression of opinion impressed me."

"It was very interesting to see the country perspectives of different nationalities. It certainly applied to opinions expressed, and created a mini UN environment."

"They were all very helpful and kind people."

"The onsite experience of the most of the participants was a chance to get first information about the human rights crises situations in different parts of the world like Sudan, Nigeria et al."

"Helped in exploring the intricacies of the functions of the council and human rights crisis situations across the globe with an in-depth knowledge of the same."

"I found the instructor's feedback, highlighting and making note of every individual's contributions extremely useful and encouraging. Infact this was the best component of the course and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it."

"[Course instructor] was great."

"The expertise of the instructor was a moving force behind the success of the course in meeting its objectives. His weekly messages on the topics selected and feed back on the successive weeks (on the contributions of the participants) were helpful in working on the areas of concern."

"[Course instructor] gave very positive feedback, trying to include all the participants. It created a learning enviroment."

"I believe that the chat sessions are very fruitful and help a lot to learn from each other. More than one would be useful."

"In future I suggest you have frequent chat sessions with the special rapporteurs."

"The website was not accessible on a few occasions in the course but [name of facilitator]'s technical support was always timely and adequate."

"The inevitable IT glitches were addressed in a timely manner."

"I received fast answers to my technical questions."

"Wonderful in every aspect, very user friendly and the response from the course facilitator was quick and helpful."

"The skills and knowledge that I have acquired from this course will be beneficial for me in my work with the disadvantaged women and children in Iraq , whose lives have been devastated by the war and the continued occupation. The knowledge will also help me in addressing and promoting women's rights and children's rights in a society that is struggling to regain there entitlements to the basic needs and services that they were enjoying before the occupation of their land by foreigners. I have now acquired additional knowledge and venues to appeal to the conscience of the world in issues regarding human rights."

"The course is a dedicated and research sensitive one, though at first it was some what a mix up and confusing but at the later part of the lecture it blended."

"I have a better grasp of the UN human rights institutions core structure and feel confident on reading on my own and fully grasping UN documentation. Doing this prior to the course would have caused me confusion in differentiating between UN charter vs. UN treaty human rights."

"I anticipate being a resource person in the human rights courses to be organized at our workplace."

"One of my main tasks is to keep abreast of the HRC's work and provide information about this to our members to facilitate the participation of NGOs which do not have easy access to Geneva. This course has given me a deeper understanding of the history, how the system works and the sources of information that I can use."

"It's not possible for me applying the course within my workplace, but it will definitely facilitate my understanding of the human rights within the United Nations, where I work."

"I took the course because I wanted to improve my theoretic knowledge and practical research skills. Mainly, I did it for myself as I do not have any opportunity to use the specific knowledge obtained right now; although, my work during the course contributed greatly to my overall general knowledge."

"I will definitely use the gained knowledge in my daily business, since I often communicate with the OHCHR - HQ in Geneva and have to do with the different sections. Before, I had a more vague idea about their function and complementary mechanisms, while through the course I could consolidate my knowledge on the U.N. Universal Human Rights System."

"This was mostly taken for post career ambitions but I'm walking away with a different mindset. The concept of peer review in the context of the "In larger Freedom" and UPR documentation, I'm applying to my grasp of outside third party investigations of the actions of my state's police forces. Prior to this course I was a fan of our own in-house investigative abilities of ourselves as a police force. My thinking has changed to become an advocate of the civilian review mechanisms for policing."

"The core information of the course is critical background for a formal masters program (governance/human rights) that I am beginning in September. This information is a very solid, basic framework on which I will be able to add on in the next 18 months."

"I am planning to set up educational programmes about human rights for my students at the university and I have already started to work on this field with my students. It is in my plans to organize training meetings for my colleagues as well."

"I can say that I started form grass root level and after the completion of the course, I have a fair understanding of the workings of the Human Rights arm of the United Nations, the Human Rights Council."

"This course was perfect for my needs at this time. I look forward to referring back to the materials once I finish the fulltime program. Thank you to [course facilitator and instructor] for all your work and encouragement that supported learning of the class as a whole."

"I thought the course was very good, I think the main thing I found was that it is important to respond in the week of the question as feedback and lively discussion depend on this, and I did not always manage to do this!"

"This course was really a good experience."

"Thank you for your efforts and your guidance!"

"Many many thanks to [course instructor], [course facilitator], and [course administrator] in making this course enjoyable in every aspect of it. I look forward to meet you in person in future and also in the virtual world."

"The course was really interesting and the learning forums were always exhaustive and clear."

"Thank you again for the interesting and inspiring course."