This course is organised by Central European University in cooperation with Open Society Justice Initiative, New York, USA.Human rights litigation is one of the methods by which civil society organizations can bring about social change. This course for human rights professionals will develop the skills and knowledge needed to successfully bring cases to the regional human rights systems and the UN Treaty bodies, and to use those cases to achieve practical change. Participants will be invited to provide information on concrete cases that they are involved in which will be discussed during the course.The course encourages participants to approach human rights litigation strategically, viewing litigating a human rights case as one step in the process of achieving social change. It includes modules that examine the steps involved in strategic litigation, such as case selection, client care, and forum choice. It also uses case studies to explore how to build a strong evidential record in support of the case, how to develop campaigning and advocacy to raise awareness of the issues involved, and how to implement a successful judgment. A faculty of human rights practitioners from the Open Society Justice Initiative and academics from Central European University will be joined by visiting experts, creating a wide body of expertise. Workshops will focus on key skills such as advocacy in support of ligation, legal drafting, communications and media, and dealing with the ethical problems that arise in human rights cases. Modules in specific subject areas will allow participants to examine key issues in their field, including discrimination, freedom of information and expression, violations in the context of migration, rights upon arrest, and torture and ill-treatment in detention.

Course leader
Steve Kostas, Open Society Justice Initiative, London, UKCourse faculty:Betsy Apple, Open Society Justice Initiative, New York, USABen Batros, Open Society Justice Initiative, New York, USALaura Bingham, Open Society Justice Initiative, New York

Target group
Target groupThe course invites applications from human rights litigators and activists with 3 years' working experience, who are seeking to enforce the rights of the individual against the state. Some participants will have a legal background, and will be involved in bringing cases before the courts. Others may be professionals wishing to develop their skills in these new areas, but will bring experiences of other forms of human rights work. Pre-requisitesUndergraduates without a university degree will not be considered. Language requirementThe language of instruction is English, thus all applicants have to demonstrate a strong command of spoken and written English to be able to participate actively in discussions at seminars and workshops.

Course aim
Human rights litigation is one of the methods by which civil society organizations can bring about social change. This course for human rights professionals will develop the skills and knowledge needed to successfully bring cases to the regional human rights systems and the UN Treaty bodies, and to use those cases to achieve practical change. Participants will be invited to provide information on concrete cases that they are involved in which will be discussed during the course.

Credits info
1 ECTS Our courses offer ECTS points, which may be accepted for credit transfer by the participants' home universities. Those who wish to obtain these credits should inquire about the possible transfer at their home institution prior to their enrollment. The Summer University Office will send a transcript to those who have fulfilled all the necessary course requirements and request one.



Fee info
EUR 300: payabel until May 28 EUR 270: payable until April 30

Scholarships
Financial aid is available in the following categories:tuition waiveraccommodation granttravel grant (full or partial)stipend

Central European University
Address: Summer University, 1051 Budapest, Nador Street 9, Hungary
Postal code: 1012
City: Budapest
Country: Hungary
Website: http://www.summeruniversity.ceu.hu/
E-mail: summeru@ceu.hu
Phone: 00-36-1-327-3811