12 September 2012 - 27 November 2012

This e-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.

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

Level: professional

Location: Internet (e-learning course)

Participants: 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.

Tuition, fee, lodging: The course tuition fee is US$ 725 (tuition for auditors is US$ 275). There are no discounted tuition rates or scholarships available for this course. Further information and application form can be found at: www.hrea.org/child-rights-programming.

Contact Information:
Sandra Quintin
Distance Learning Programme
HREA
689 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-3302
USA
Tel: +1 617 301-4379
Fax: +1 617 249-0278
E-mail: applications@hrea.org
Web: http://www.hrea.org