Minority Rights and Advocacy Toolkit course

📖 About the Course

The Minority Rights and Advocacy Toolkit course is a free online English-language course developed by Minority Rights Group. It addresses minority rights and freedom of religion or belief in Southeast, South, and Central Asia.

Key Details:

• Duration: 6 weeks
• Language: English
• Focus: Minority rights and freedom of religion or belief
• Priority Participants: Human rights defenders and civil society organization representatives from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Applications from other countries in these regions are also eligible.

At the end of the course, one active and engaged participant will be selected to attend the 18th UN Forum on Minority Issues (UNFMI) in Geneva in November 2025.

🎓 What Will You Learn?

Participants will gain knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Human and Minority Rights: Basic concepts and mechanisms at international and regional levels (e.g., United Nations, ASEAN).
• Freedom of Religion or Belief: Specific focus on advocacy for religious minorities.
• Advocacy Campaigns: Practical introduction to creating and implementing advocacy initiatives.
• Expert Webinar: Live session with a high-level expert, including Q&A opportunities.
• Interactive Exercises: Short exercises, forum discussions, and a final assignment to design an advocacy plan.
• One-on-One Tutoring: Personalized mentoring sessions with an expert tutor.

⏳ Course Duration

• Length: 6 weeks
• Weekly Commitment: Approximately 3 hours per week.
• Flexibility: Participants can access the course at their convenience using a password.

The course is facilitated by a tutor who is an expert in minority rights and freedom of religion or belief.

🎁 Benefits

Participants will enjoy the following benefits:

• Learn about minority rights and freedom of religion or belief in Southeast and South Asia.
• Gain knowledge of international and regional systems and mechanisms for advocacy.
• Access one-on-one tutoring and design your own advocacy campaign.
• Participate in an online discussion with high-level experts, such as UN Special Rapporteurs.
• Acquire resources, contacts, and tools for advocacy in Southeast and South Asia.
• Opportunity to be selected to attend the 18th UN Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To participate in the course, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Internet Connection: Reliable and stable high-speed internet access.
• Target Audience: Representatives of civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and activists from Southeast Asia and South Asia.
• Priority Countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Applications from other countries in these regions are also eligible.
• Knowledge and Interest: Basic working knowledge of human rights and interest in freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).

🌟 Selection Criteria for UNFMI

At the end of the course, one participant will be selected to attend the 18th UN Forum on Minority Issues (UNFMI) in Geneva. Selection will be based on:

• Active involvement and engagement during the course.
• Successful completion of the course and submission of the final assignment.
• Strong motivation to attend UNFMI and plans to apply learnings in advocacy efforts.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
• Apply Here: Application Form

🌐 Sponsor Organization

The course is sponsored by Minority Rights Group, a leading organization advocating for minority rights globally.

For more details, visit the Minority Rights Group website.

• You can learn about minority rights and freedom of religion or belief in Southeast and South Asia through a tutored 6-week intensive training for human rights defenders and civil society organisation representatives.
• You can learn how you can advocate for freedom of religion or belief and the rights of religious minorities, including learning about the available international and regional systems and mechanisms.
• You will have access to one-on-one tutoring and will be able to design your own advocacy campaign by the end of the course.
• You can participate in an online discussion with a high-level expert, such as the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues or the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
• You can gain resources, contacts and tools to advocate in Southeast and South Asia.
• You will have a chance to be selected to participate at the 18th UN Forum on Minority Issues with Minority Rights Group.