Equitas was established
as a non-profit, non-governmental
organization in 1967 by a group of
leading Canadian scholars, jurists
and human rights advocates with a
mandate to advance democracy, human
development, peace and social justice
through educational programs.
Equitas has become a global leader
in human rights education. Equitas'
capacity-building programs in Canada
and abroad have assisted civil
society organizations and government
institutions to participate effectively
in human rights debates, to challenge
discriminatory attitudes and practices
and to advance important policy
and legislative reforms to enhance
human rights protection and fulfillment.
In 1980, Equitas launched
the International Human Rights
Training program (IHRTP) which
continues annually in Canada.
Initially targeting young Canadian
students, the IHRTP has evolved
into an international program
which attracts over 100 participants
from approximately 60 countries
every year. The success of the
IHRTP has helped Equitas develop
an international reputation. Our
training programs are widely recognized
for their innovation and quality.
Equitas' current work with human
rights educators and activists focuses
considerable effort on shaping people's
values and attitudes in addition to
building knowledge and skills. Equitas
believes that HRE will succeed only
when participants are engaged in all
the aspects of the process and are
challenged to consider whether their
values and attitudes truly reflect
the underlying principles of human
rights: universality, indivisibility,
interdependence, equality, human dignity,
respect, non-discrimination and social
progress. Consequently, all of our
education activities make use of participatory
methods and emphasize the necessity
to engage all stakeholders in needs
assessment, program design, delivery,
evaluation and, just as importantly,
in the planning of follow-up initiatives.
As the reputation of Equitas and
IHRTP has grown, there was a concurrent
increase in the number of requests
from former participants to develop
joint programs responding to specialized
issues outside Canada. These pilot
initiatives were a springboard to
develop full-fledged programs in Asia,
Africa and Central and Eastern Europe
and Central Asia in partnership with
organizations that had attended the
IHRTP. Equitas' partners include:
international, regional and national
level NGOs and public officials in
Canada, Africa, Asia and Central Europe
as well as the United Nations Office
of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights and members of the international
donor community.
Equitas' regional human rights education
programs currently focus on developing
knowledge, strengthening skills and
promoting action around the following
themes:
- Training for NGO Trainers
- Human Rights Education in the
School System
- Training in Human Rights Advocacy
and Monitoring
- The Protection of particular
groups in society, including: Women,
Migrant Workers, Children and Minorities
- The Creation and Strengthening
of Independent National Human Rights
Institutions
- The Promotion and Protection
of Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights
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