United Nation 2021-2022 Human Rights Commission Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent

Published: 06 Jul 2021

The Fellowship programme for people of African descent is a three-week intensive learning opportunity for people of African descent, from the diaspora, who are engaged in promoting the rights of people of African descent.

It takes place once a year at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.

UN Fellowship Programme

Benefits of UN Fellowship Programme

• Learn about and deepen their understanding of the international human rights law and the UN human rights system, the international framework to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and intersecting issues with a focus on people of African descent;
• Strengthen skills in developing project proposals, delivering presentations and submitting information to human rights mechanisms;
• Gain first-hand exposure to human rights mechanisms;
• Meet with a wide-range of actors.

Requirements for UN Fellowship Programme

• The candidate must have a minimum of 4 years of work experience related to the rights of People of African Descent.
• The programme is bilingual in English and French. The candidate needs to have sufficient command of one of the two languages to be able to participate fully in the programme.
• The candidate has to submit a letter from an organization working on issues related to People of African Descent or minority rights certifying their status.
• The candidates must be available to attend the full duration of the programme. The selected fellows will be expected to participate in different activities and to strictly follow the programme.

Selection Process

The Fellowship will be held from 15 November to 3 December in Geneva, Switzerland. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the three-week training will be held online this year.

Application Documents

• A Curriculum Vitae
• A completed, signed and scanned Application Form in one single document.
• A Personal Statement (maximum 500 words) in which the candidate will explain his/her motivation for applying, and how he/she will use the knowledge gained from the fellowship to promote the interests and rights of people of African descent.
• An Official Letter from the nominating organization or community certifying the status
• A copy of the applicant's passport.

Please note that submissions with more than five attachments will not be accepted.

Application Deadline

How to Apply