The Indigenous Fellowship Programme (IFP) is a comprehensive human rights training programme that was established by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the context of the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (1995-2004). The programme contributes to build the capacity and expertise of indigenous representatives on the UN system and mechanisms dealing with human rights in general and indigenous issues in particular, so they are in a better position to protect and promote the rights of their communities at the international level
Since the launch of the training programme in 1997, more than 300 indigenous men and women from all over the world have been trained. They provided human rights training to many more in their communities. The selected candidates will be provided with a return flight ticket, living expenses and basic health insurance for the duration of the training.
Program Structure
The IFP is held annually and fellows from the 4 language (English, French, Spanish and Russian) of the programme are trained together with simultaneous interpretation during 4 to 5 weeks in Geneva. The date of the training programme usually coincides with the annual meeting of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (June/July), thus allowing the fellows to participate more actively in that Mechanism.
Focus Countries: United Nations Member Countries (see the list below)
Eligibility Criteria
- The candidate must be indigenous (non-indigenous persons will not be taken into consideration, even if they have close links with indigenous communities and/or organizations).
- Age should not be a limitation to participation in the programme.
- Formal education should not be a limitation to participation in the IFP given the socio-economic barriers confronted by many indigenous peoples that limit access to formal educational institutions.
- Candidates should agree to train other indigenous persons after the return to their respective communities/organizations.
- The candidate should be proposed and his/her candidacy supported by his/her indigenous organization and/or community. It is desirable that the sponsoring organization has a firm constituency or membership and that it is representative.
- The candidate should have a good working knowledge of the language, in which the programme is imparted.
Application Procedure
- Application consists of two parts. Both parts I and II of the application form must be signed and sent by regular post.
- Scanned applications are also accepted and can be sent via email.
- Application forms need to be accompanied by an official recommendation letter from the nominating indigenous organization or community.
- A pre-selection of 15 to 20 candidates per language group is made by previous indigenous fellows. Interviews of pre-selected candidates are conducted thereon.
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