Cover image: © UNICEF/UNI189312/Gilbertson VII

The course contributes to the Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Human Rights and aims to ensure that the protection of people from violations of international human rights and humanitarian law remains central to United Nations strategies and actions.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS COURSE IS OFFERED IN TWO VERSIONS. MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING THE VERSION THAT IS RELEVANT FOR YOUR POSITION.

This version (equivalent to the course LMS-2302 on Inspira) is relevant to staff performing administrative and support functions - belonging to ITECNET, LOGNET, MAGNET, SCINET and SAFETYNET job networks, according to UN Secretariat's categories.

Staff performing programmatic and substantive functions belonging to DEVNET, INFONET, LEGALNET and POLNET job networks, according to UN Secretariat's categories, must enroll for the Advanced version of the course (equivalent to the course LMS-2299 on Inspira).

Learning objectives

The overall goal of this course is to increase the capacity of staff members to uphold their human rights responsibilities in their daily work and to take appropriate action for human rights protection within their functions.

At the end of the course, staff will be able to:

  • Describe situations where the UN did not adequately protect people’s human rights and the processes put into place to learn from the past
  • Explain the purpose and scope of the Human Rights Up Front initiative and its application to different contexts
  • Define human rights, the relevant UN mandate, standards and policies, and the human rights responsibilities of UN staff
  • Explain the UN human rights protection system and actors, and how to use them
  • Recognize human rights violations as early warning signs of crises and consider situations through a “human rights lens”
  • Assess options and propose appropriate action to ensure the protection of people from violations of international human rights or humanitarian law in specific situations.

Audience

UN staff performing administrative and support functions - belonging to ITECNET, LOGNET, MAGNET, SCINET and SAFETYNET job networks, according to UN Secretariat's categories.

Length

It should take you about 3 hours to complete the mandatory 5 modules, and 4 hours to complete all 7 modules. 

Delivery methodology

The course uses a variety of methodologies, such as diagrams, quizzes, and case studies, and features videos and interviews with UN staff members and other actors (e.g. Special Rapporteurs) on topics covered. Upon successful completion of a final assessment, UN staff will receive a printable certificate.

Note: Staff are recommended to save a copy of their certificate for future reference, as they will not be able to print it again later without retaking the assessment.

Structure

This version of the course consists of 5 mandatory and 2 optional e-Learning modules, and 1 mandatory assessment:

  1. Course introduction
  2. Learning from the past: Human Rights Up Front
  3. What are human rights and where do they come from?
  4. United Nations bodies and mechanisms for human rights protection (optional)
  5. Human rights responsibilities of United Nations staff
  6. Human rights violations as early warning signs (optional)
  7. Taking action for human rights
  8. Final assessment

Contact details

For questions and feedback, please contact the OHCHR team through training@ohchr.org