News

International Summer Academy on Human Rights and Human Security

The role of education for a democratic citizenship

18 - 28 July 2005

ETC
European Training and Research Centre
for Human Rights and Democracy
Graz, Austria

Background

The lack of opportunity to study the relationship between Human Rights, Human Development and Human Security has inspired the idea of the ETC International Summer Academy which in the last two years turned out to be a very successful and sustainable event.

The ETC established the Summer Academy in the Human Rights City of Graz as a way to enhance the realization of the Human Security agenda. Awareness of the concept of Human Security, shared understanding of its interdisciplinary and cross-cutting character and its potential for international policy and decision-making is a precondition for the effective promotion of Human Security locally and globally. One of the ETC's contributions to this promotion is a direct offspring of the Summer Academy and the enthusiasm of its participants: the scientific online journal HUMAN SECURITY PERSPECTIVES launched in February 2004.

Objectives

• To create a better understanding of the relevance of the concept of Human Security

• To present and discuss indicators defining the state of Human Security

• To explore the linkages between Human Rights, Human Development and Human Security

• To discuss the agenda of the HSN states to improve Human Security

• To learn about the role of international organizations and non-state actors in the field of Human Security

• To promote Human Security, Human Rights and Human Development in a holistic way

• To raise awareness about Human Rights Education as a tool for Human Security

• To provide the basis for capacity-building in Human Security Network states and beyond and networking on governmental, NGO and academic levels on Human Rights and Human Security.

Topics

• The Concept of Human Security

• Linking Human Rights, Human Security and Human Development with
  Education

• Which Education for a Democratic Citizenship?

• Linking the Concepts of Human Rights Education, Citizenship
  Education, Peace Education and Intercultural Education

• Building Security through Education - the post-conflict
  Challenge

• Education, Democratization and Governance-building – Societies
  in Transition

• The Responsibility of Democracies - Education Programmes and
  their Implementation under the Auspices of raising Racism, Anti-Semitism and Right Wing Radicalism

• Assessment, Evaluation and Quality Assurance in Human Rights
  Education and Citizenship Education

Methodology

The Summer Academy draws on the expertise of a selected group of
academics, international professionals and decision-makers from various
sectors, which guarantees a broad approach to the questions of Human
Security worldwide. The training is based on the ETC's Manual on Human
Rights Education, UNDERSTANDING HUMAN RIGHTS; to assure sustainability
and multiplier effects the training methods put particular emphasis on
an interactive approach. The Academy is designed as a modular course and
allows for the transfer of knowledge as well as the acquisition of
skills and the shaping of attitudes.

Target Group

The Summer Academy is designed for postgraduate students and
researchers, junior staff of ministries and collaborators of NGOs from
HSN members and from all over the world with a focus on South Eastern
Europe and developing countries.

Application

Applications should be sent by mail to ETC Graz-Summeracademy 2005
attn. Barbara Schmiedl,
Schubertstrasse 29,
8010 Graz
Austria
or via email to summeracademy@etc-graz.at
Deadline: 25 April 2005

Required Material:

• Application Form as attached, duly filled in

• A curriculum vitae

• A letter of motivation clearly stating the reasons for
  participating in the current program

• A letter stating the reasons in case financial aid is needed

• A letter of recommendation

• An essay of max. 800 words about Human Insecurities in your country/region and ways of overcoming them (note: handwritten texts will not be accepted)

More Information

For details please consult the Summer Academy's homepage
http://www.summeracademy.etc-graz.at