For the first time, OIDEL collaborated with the Universidad de los Hemisferios (Quito, Ecuador) and put in place a course titled “Derechos Humanos y Ambiental 2024” which was addressed to students of University’s law master’s program.

On the first day, the students participated in a debate of the Human Rights Council dedicated to the human rights situation in Ukraine. After a tour through the Palais des Nations, the group visited the UN library and archives, gaining a deeper understanding of the history of multilateralism and discovering the essential resources of the UN. The day concluded with a session dedicated to the right to peace.

The second day started in the offices of IBE-UNESCO and featured interesting sessions on freedom of expression, the growing role of artificial intelligence in education, and the future of learning. Afterwards, the group went on a tour through Geneva that highlighted the city’s status as a city emblematic of human rights and humanitarian law.

The third day of the seminar began with an informative presentation by DOCIP on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), providing an insight into international human rights protection mechanisms. This was followed by a UPR role play in which each participant became a country or a civil society representative and had to defend its interest in a mock UPR session dedicated to the rights of indigenous peoples. The afternoon featured sessions on a variety of subjects, including women’s rights and the establishment of strategic alliances. Finally, the day concluded with a visit to the Permanent Mission of Ecuador. The ambassador generously shared his insights into the Mission’s daily work and overall priorities, offering participants the opportunity to better understand the role and responsibilities of diplomacy in promoting human rights.

Finally, the training ended with two sessions by the OHCHR and the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief. These sessions focused on fundamental rights (the right to water, and freedom of religion or belief) and enriched the debate among participants on the challenges and issues involved in protecting these fundamental rights on a global scale.

OIDEL was honored to organize this human rights training together with the Universidad de los Hemisferios and looks forward to further collaborations in the future.