The UN OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Programme calls for applications from persons seeking the opportunity to gain knowledge about the UN system and mechanisms dealing with human rights issues in general and indigenous issues in particular. The selected candidates are to be provided with flight ticket, living expenses and basic health insurance during the training. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply.
Program Details
The Indigenous Fellowship Programme was launched in 1997 by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the context of the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People. The aim of the programme is to train participants to be better equipped to assist their organisations and communities in protecting and promoting their rights. This training programme is available in 5 languages: English, Spanish, French, Russian and Portuguese.
See Also: United Nations Immersion Programme, Geneva
Fellowship Benefits
The selected candidates are entitled to:
- a return flight ticket,
- living expenses, and
- basic health insurance for the duration of the training.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered eligible for UN OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Programme, the applicants are required of the following:
- The candidate must be indigenous (non-indigenous persons will not be taken into consideration).
- Age should not be a limitation to participation in the United Nations programme.
- Formal education should not be a limitation to participation in the IFP given the socio-economic barriers confronted by many indigenous peoples that limit access to formal educational institutions.
- Candidates should agree to train other indigenous persons after the return to their respective communities/organizations.
- The candidate should be proposed, and his/her candidacy supported by his/her indigenous organization and/or community. It is desirable that the sponsoring organization has a firm constituency or membership and that it is representative.
- The candidate should have a good working knowledge of the language in which the programme is imparted.
Check Also: United Nations Academic Impact Millennium Fellowship
Application Procedure
The OHCHR strongly encourage sending of application form well before the deadline. Fellowship applications will only be taken into consideration if they are fully completed. Both parts I and II of the application form must be signed and sent by regular post to the following address:
Mr. Morse Caoagas Flores
Coordinator, Indigenous Fellowship Programme
Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
48, Avenue Giuseppe-Motta, Office 2-05
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Scanned applications are also accepted and can be sent to the following email: ohchr-fellowship@un.org and copy: morse.flores@un.org
Application forms need to be accompanied by an official recommendation letter from the nominating indigenous organization or community.
Submission Deadline: September 30.
