OHCHR has launched the Indigenous Fellowship Programme

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has launched the Indigenous Fellowship Programme (IFP) in the context of the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples held between 1995 to 2004. The programme aims to provide an opportunity for indigenous people to gain knowledge about the UN system and mechanisms that deal with human rights in general as well as in particular for the indigenous people. The successful candidates will be able to benefit by attending this programme and take back the learnings to their communities and organizations and promote human rights among the people.

Only candidates from indigenous groups are allowed to apply for this programme to be held in Geneva. He/she should be between the age group of 25-35 years. The candidacy should be supported by his/her indigenous organization or community. The programme will be imparted in four different languages: English, French, Spanish and Russian; so candidates should be familiar with any one of these four languages. Shortlisting of candidates is undertaken by previous indigenous fellows, following which an advisory group would make the final selection.

Interested candidates must submit completed application forms. Forms are accepted by mail or fax only. No email applications will be considered. There are different deadlines for different language programmes. For the English speaking programme, the deadline is 30 April 2009, for Spanish speaking programme, it is 15 July 2009, for Russian speaking, it is 30 September and for French speaking, it is not mentioned.

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