21 April-6 July 2010 | Application form | Application deadline: 1 April 2010
Instructors: Peter Dixon and Felisa Tibbitts
This distance learning course introduces staff members of (international) development agencies and NGOs to child rights programming. A child rights-based approach is a conceptual framework for the process of human development that is normatively based on international children's rights standards and operationally directed to promoting, protecting and fulfilling children's human rights. Essentially, a child rights-based approach integrates the norms, standards and principles of the international human rights system into the plans, policies and processes of programme development for children.
Participants will deepen their knowledge about project and programme development from a child rights perspective and learn how to apply the principles of children's right to be heard, non-discrimination, and best interests, and accountability to various phases of project planning and implementation. The course will focus on practical tools for child rights situation assessment, programme planning, implementation, child rights indicators, and monitoring and evaluation within the child rights-based conceptual framework.
The course involves approximately 50 hours of reading, on-line working groups, interaction with students and instructors, chat sessions, webinars and assignments, and is offered over an 11-week period, beginning on 21 April 2010. The course is based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on critical reflection and peer-to-peer learning. The course instructors will provide individualised feedback where appropriate. Participants will do the required readings, prepare interim and final assignments and participate in group discussions. The maximum number of course participants is 25. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Participation. It is also possible to be an auditor of the course.
Course outline
Week 1. Introduction to the Human Rights-Based Approach and Child Rights Programming
Week 2. Children's Rights Standards and Principles
Week 3. Key components and principles of Child Rights Programming
Week 4. "Child Participation" - Children as active agents in their own development
Week 5. "Open week"
Week 6. Child Rights Situation Analysis and Planning
Week 7. Programme Design
Week 8. Monitoring and Evaluation
Weeks 9-10. Analysis of Child Rights Programming: Case Study
Week 11. Becoming a Child Rights Focused Organisation or Network
About the instructors
Peter Dixon has been an independent consultant and trainer on child rights and child rights programming since 2002 providing support and advice to national and international NGOs, and UN Agencies in over 25 countries. Mr Dixon conducted numerous workshops on child rights situations analysis, child rights programming, human rights-based programming, and monitoring children's rights and has been a lead author and contributor to the development of several internal and interagency child rights programming training and resource tools. From 1994 to 2002 Peter served as Country Programme Director for Save the Children in Sri Lanka and Nepal. He has been a trainer and course instructor for HREA since 2008.
Felisa Tibbitts is Executive Director of Human Rights Education Associates (HREA). She has facilitated numerous courses workshops on human rights-based programming the rights of the child. Ms. Tibbitts has Master's degrees from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government (Public Policy) and from Harvard's Graduate School of Education (Administration, Planning and Social Policy) and has published several training manuals and reports on human rights-based programming the rights of the child and monitoring. She has been an instructor of the HREA distance learning courses "Monitoring Children's Rights", "Project Development and Management in the NGO Sector", "Research & Evaluation in the NGO Sector" and "Human Rights-Based Programming" since 2002. Felisa was a Human Rights Fellow at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University in the academic years 2008-2009 and is currently Adjunct Professor at Harvard's Graduate School of Education.
Who should apply
The course is intended for staff members of development and children's rights/social justice organisations, including development NGOs and UN specialised agencies like UNICEF. Candidates should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use. It is assumed that applicants are familiar with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and with the basic concepts of programming (e.g. the programme cycle, including: situation analysis, setting priorities, implementation, monitoring and evaluation), and have a basic understanding of good practice in child advocacy or relief and development work. HREA aims to ensure equal gender and geographical distribution across the selected participants.
Costs
The course tuition fee is US$ 725. Tuition for auditors is US$ 275. Unfortunately, there are no scholarships or discounted tuition fees available for this course.
Application
The deadline for applications is 1 April2010. Applications received after that day unfortunately cannot be accepted. Successful applicants will be notified by 5 April 2010 at the latest. Full tuition payment for accepted participants is due on 15 April 2010.
On-line application
Frequently asked questions about HREA's distance learning courses.
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