Building on a considerable and long practical experience of capacity-building activities for different professional groups, the International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights at the Local Levels offers a range of services for guiding stakeholders in the implementation of human rights at the local level. The Centre operates using a “train the trainer” approach, which brings together multipliers from various spheres who realise proven practices in their specific contexts.
As leading contributor in the Toolkit for Equality, the Centre is a forerunner in the development of thematically-specific toolkits for local authorities. Toolkits are concrete and practical guidelines containing instruments and methods on how to achieve particular aims and policy outcomes. The Centre offers the development of toolkits containing policy tools conducive to human rights-compliant governance and building on a multi-governance approach, in which stakeholder engagement and networking are crucial. Toolkits are specifically tailored to client, topic and sphere of implementation.
Examples:
- The Toolkit for Equality, consisting of 12 chapters in 8 languages, is available here and presents policy models and hands-on guidance covering topics of high relevance, including non-discrimination, citizenship and human rights education.
- The newly developed Toolkit for Urban Inclusion in Arab Regions contextualises recommendations for the Arab region and introduces methods to help promote inclusive urban development. It is available in three languages: English, French and Arabic.
Building on over 20 years of research and practical experience, the Centre synthesises its insights and expertise into curricula and educational resources for various professional groups, including governments, administrations and NGOs. Curricula consist of modules providing foundational insight and knowledge, for example on human rights, the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda, human rights in business, good governance, and multi-level governance. Furthermore, practical input on cross-sectional topics like gender, education or public participation is offered in the form of applied modules.
Example:
- The curriculum on human rights, democracy and diversity at the local level is jointly developed by the Centre, the African Local Governance Academy and UNESCO and provides local level politicians, civil society representatives, and civil servants with in-depth training on the local implementation of human rights.
The Centre provides consulting services to local authorities and members of administration. Consulting services encompass the development of context-specific frameworks and concepts on subjects relevant for local governance. The Centre offers support in policy development and implementation, administration and governance, and the conceptualisation and realisation of city-wide strategies. Topics of expertise include in particular the Human Rights City process, anti-discrimination and anti-racism policies, good governance, equality policies, and the implementation of action plans (for example in the framework of the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism, ECCAR).
Examples:
- The Centre's hosting organisation ETC Graz is in constant cooperation with the city government of Graz (Austria) and has consulted in and supported the Human Rights City process since 2001.
- The Centre has conducted city consultings in the framework of ECCAR, focusing on strategies on how to deal with right-wing populism and extremism (Dortmund, Germany) and on supporting the re-evaluation and implementation of the ECCAR 10-Points-Action-Plan (Bonn, Germany).
