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Tuesday, June 21, 2016

TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME




The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) is pleased to announce the convening of a three week intensive Transitional Justice in Africa Fellowship Programme. Applicants from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Somalia and Zimbabwe will be given preference. We are now inviting qualified individuals to apply to this esteemed programme.
Background to IJR   


The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation was established in 2000 in the wake of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to promote reconciliation, transitional justice and democratic nation-building in Africa by means of research, analysis and selective intervention. Located at the interface between civil society and academia, it contributes to the building of fair, democratic and inclusive societies in countries undergoing political transition including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe.  
The Fellowship Programme will be organised by and hosted within the Justice and Reconciliation in Africa Programme (JRA) which is one of three IJR programmes. The other two programmes are the Building an Inclusive Society Programme (BIS) and the Policy and Analysis Programme (PA). The JRA works at three complimentary and mutually supportive levels with African societies in transition, namely: engaged research and analysis, capacity building, and collaborative political intervention. The Institute seeks to achieve a creative balance between justice and reconciliation, development and human security, as well as contributing to the reconstruction of countries ravaged by war and oppression.  
For more information on the IJR and its’ work, please visit www.ijr.org.za.   

The Fellowship Programme

The IJR has been hosting Fellows from countries in political transition in Africa since 2000. The programme was designed to attract and bring together scholars and practitioners in the field of transitional justice to compare, reflect, research and write about their experiences and lessons learned from activities, projects and programmes in their respective countries.   
The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation was established in 2000 in the wake of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to promote reconciliation, transitional justice and democratic nation-building in Africa by means of research, analysis and selective intervention. Located at the interface between civil society and academia, it contributes to the building of fair, democratic and inclusive societies in countries undergoing political transition including: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe.  
The Fellowship Programme will be organised by and hosted within the Justice and Reconciliation in Africa Programme (JRA) which is one of three IJR programmes. The other two programmes are the Building an Inclusive Society Programme (BIS) and the Policy and Analysis Programme (PA). The JRA works at three complimentary and mutually supportive levels with African societies in transition, namely: engaged research and analysis, capacity building, and collaborative political intervention. The Institute seeks to achieve a creative balance between justice and reconciliation, development and human security, as well as contributing to the reconstruction of countries ravaged by war and oppression.  
For more information on the IJR and its’ work, please visit www.ijr.org.za.   

The Fellowship Programme
 
The IJR has been hosting Fellows from countries in political transition in Africa since 2000. The programme was designed to attract and bring together scholars and practitioners in the field of transitional justice to compare, reflect, research and write about their experiences and lessons learned from activities, projects and programmes in their respective countries.    
A rigorous selection process will ensure the targeting of mid-career professionals working with affected communities in the field of transitional justice in sub-Saharan Africa and who are in positions to influence policy processes and disseminate their Fellowship Programme experience through practical activities when they return home.  Fellows will be appointed based on their positions as opinion leaders and/or policy makers in their respective home countries and are required to convincingly show their ability to develop initiatives and interventions in their home countries to advance the transitional justice and reconciliation agenda. In addition, they must submit an institutional endorsement of their participation and commitment to implement at least one follow-up activity in-country. 
The programmes’ purpose is to enhance participants’ skills and knowledge, with a particular focus on issues related to the development of tools and processes aimed at furthering reconciliation and social cohesion within the context of transitional justice.  Accordingly, the Fellowship Programme will engage with some of the key literature, themes, and mechanisms and will supplement teachings with practical experiences, interaction with local organisations working in related fields and guided visits to historically significant sites and institutions dealing with reconciliation and justice. 
Elements of the Fellowship Programme  
The Fellowship Programme aims to effectively equip participants to address challenges specific to democratic transitions by exposing them to various transitional justice tools. It encompasses the following elements:  
  • Interactive presentations and dialogue sessions on transitional justice by leading practitioners and academics in the field 
  • Visits to relevant museums and memorials in Cape Town and Johannesburg
  •  Joint project development for in-country follow-up transitional justice programming
  • A public debate on justice and reconciliation in Africa at IJR, featuring  presentations by the fellows
  •  Diaspora dialogues (optional)
  • Ample time to engage IJR staff, its work and its in-house library. 
  • Networking with relevant organisations, institutions and individuals. 
It is hoped that participants will deepen their familiarity with the growing field of transitional justice theory and then apply this theoretical framework to the practical challenges currently facing their respective country context.   
Fellows’ are strongly encouraged to document their reflections in the form of newspaper articles, policy briefs and/or working papers during and after the fellowship. 
The IJR will cover all travel and accommodation costs for the duration of the fellowship and will provide a modest stipend for daily expenses. 
To read the quarterly Fellows Alumni Network Newsletter as well as see a list of all IJR Fellows, visit http://www.ijr.org.za/justice-and-reconciliation-in-africa-fellowship.php. Elements of the Fellowship Programme  
 Application requirements  
To be considered eligible for this fellowship, you should meet the following criteria:
  • A post-graduate degree in a discipline broadly related to Transitional Justice 
  • 4 to 5 years of relevant work experience in the realm of justice, reconciliation and/or social cohesion, social justice 
  • Good written and spoken English. This will be necessary to participate in group discussions.  
If you are interested in applying for admission to this programme, please submit to us the following documents in English:  
  • A detailed resume or Curriculum Vitae of no more than 3 pages
  •  The full contact details of 2 contactable references 
  • A 1-2 page letter of motivation indicating why you wish to participate in this programme 
  • A 1-2 page writing sample (you may include news or academic articles you have submitted or published) 
  •  A letter of institutional endorsement of your suitability to participate in the Fellowship Programme from your employer/affiliated institution.    
The closing date for applications is the 31st of July 2016. Telephonic interviews will be conducted in the week commencing 8 August 2016 and successful candidates will be notified no later than by the 15th of August 2016.  

Please email your complete application to Ms Anthea Flink on aflink@ijr.org.za with ‘Application to 2016 Fellowship Programme: your name’ in the email subject line.  
 Only complete applications will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be notified of the status of their application. 

Monday, June 6, 2016

Women’s Human Rights Training Institute 2016-2017



Promoting Women’s Cultural and Social Rights!

Deadline for Applications: 30 June 2016

Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation (BGRF) is currently inviting applicants for its Sixth Round of the Women’s Human Rights Training Institute (WHRTI), 2016-2017.


Objectives
  • Develop successful regional and country level litigation strategies on women’s human rights in CEE/NIS
  • Build the capacity of lawyers in CEE/NIS to litigate women’s human rights cases at the national, regional and UN levels
  • Provide continuous support and expertise for women’s rights litigation efforts of lawyers in CEE/NIS and seed new women’s rights litigation
  • Strengthen the network of lawyers for women’s human rights’ strategic litigation in the region
Focus Areas
  • Violence against women
  • Sexual and reproductive health and rights
  • Social and economic rights and employment discrimination
Benefit
All expenses related to the selected participants’ attendance at the three sessions of the Institute are covered by the organizers.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Twenty five participants will be selected among practicing lawyers and legal counselors working with human rights or women’s rights NGOs in the region. Successful applicants should:
  • have a substantial and sustainable interest and a demonstrated commitment to women’s human rights advocacy and/or litigation and in using the law creatively to secure redress for women’s rights violations
  • have a professional relationship/affiliation for at least one year prior to the application with an institution/organization that has capacity to litigate women’s rights cases or has experience with litigation and preferably focuses in its work on women’s human rights
  • have demonstrated interest and basic knowledge of the international universal and regional human rights law, legal standards and instruments
  • be committed and available to actively participate in all the three sessions of the Institute (approximately one week every six months) and to be involved in the intersessional work
  • have fluency in written and spoken English, and advanced English language comprehension.
How to Apply
Applicants must download the application form via given website.

For more information, please visit Women’s Human Rights Training.