| 6 November-17 December 2013 (E03413) | Register for this course (opens in new window)
Instructor: Alexandru Balas
This certificate course offered by HREA and the Human Rights Center of the University for Peace is designed for working professionals in NGOs, government, international organisations, businesses, or community leaders interested in addressing human rights violations through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) tools. We will discuss the challenges and opportunities in using ADR tools to address various types of human rights violations from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Practitioners and scholars alike have started to develop an increased interest in the linkages between human rights and alternative dispute resolution. NGOs and international organisations are currently advocating integrated third party interventions in violent conflicts that have both human rights and conflict resolution units closely working together. Throughout this course we will explore the role played by human rights violations at different conflict stages. We will also go beyond political rights, and also analyse the effectiveness of ADR tools in addressing violations of indigenous rights, civil rights in regard to racial, gender, and religious discrimination, business-related human rights, sexual harassment, and child labor. The basics of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) will be introduced and we will discuss about its potential role in addressing human rights violations.
This certificate course is designed to provide the participants with a comprehensive picture of the links that exist between alternative dispute resolution tools, and human rights violations. The course is divided into four components. The first component (session 1) is to provide some background on the separate but inter-linked fields of human rights, conflict resolution, and ADR. The second component (sessions 2 and 3) analyses the challenges and opportunities of using ADR in human rights violations from a theoretical perspective but also with example from countries in which ADR mechanisms are used to address human rights violations. The third component (sessions 4 and 5) will present some case studies of facilitation, mediation, and conciliation used for specific indigenous, civil, and business-related rights violations. The fourth component (session 6) introduces online dispute resolution (ODR) mechanisms and looks at the future of ADR/ODR in addressing human rights violations.
The e-learning course is based on a dynamic pedagogy including reading materials, mediation simulations, video clips, case studies, quizzes, a short writing assignment, and interactive webinars with the instructor. It involves approximately 30 hours of reading, interaction with students and instructor on discussion boards, webinars, quizzes and a written assignment. The course is based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on critical reflection and peer-to-peer learning. 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: Human Rights, Conflict Resolution, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Week 2: Challenges of Using ADR Tools in Addressing Human Rights Violations
Week 3: Advantages of Using ADR Tools in Addressing Human Rights Violations
Week 4: Lessons Learned from ADR in Violations of Indigenous Rights and Civil Rights
Week 5: ADR in Business-Related Human Rights Violations
Week 6: Online Dispute Resolution – A Potential New Way for Addressing Human
Rights Violations?
About the instructor
Alexandru Balas is a PhD candidate (ABD) in the Department of Political Science at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He received a MA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Sabanci University, and a BA in Political Science from University of Bucharest. His research is on issues of conflict resolution, and peace studies. He published Muslims in Europe. The European Union Solving Social Conflicts (Iasi: Editura Lumea, 2008) and several articles in academic journals on the topic of ADR. He has practical experience with ADR tools from his work with Soliya (inter-cultural dialogue NGO) and within the United Nations system.
Who should apply
The course is intended for professionals in NGOs, government, international organisations, businesses, or community leaders interested in addressing human rights violations through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) tools. Candidates should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use. HREA and UPEACE aim to ensure equal gender and geographical distribution across the selected participants. It is also possible to audit the course
Costs
Tuition fee for participants: US$ 575. Early registration discounts: 25% when paying 8 weeks before the start of the course; 15% when paying 4 weeks before course start.
Tuition for auditors: US$ 215. Early registration discounts: 25% when paying 8 weeks before the start of the course; 15% when paying 4 weeks before course start.
Registration
Register for this course (opens in new window)
Frequently asked questions about HREA's e-learning courses.
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