On Friday, August 31st, The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies inaugurated the 19th annual summer training on human rights, for students of Egyptian universities and institutes. This training course, organized by CIHRS Human Rights Education Program, is scheduled to proceed until September 14th. It addresses several human rights subjects, beginning with the intellectual origins of human rights and debating whether they are exotic to Arab culture, or that the idea of human rights stems from different religions, cultures and civilizations! The training deals also with the major human rights mechanisms, conventions and covenants, the role of the state in protecting and promoting human rights, in addition to national and international mechanisms for the protection of human rights, such as the United Nations, the African Union and non-governmental organizations. It also raises the situation of human rights in Egypt, particularly the situation of civil and political rights, and of economic, social and cultural rights.
The activities of the first day began with welcoming the participants, setting rules for proceeding with the course and knowing the participant expectations. The first session which commenced at 13:30, focused on the concept of the democratic state and human rights, while the second session dealt with the philosophical origins of human rights. Participants and organizers complemented the day with a debate on the origins of human rights in Arab culture.
This two-week training brings together 60 participants from different Egyptian governorates including Cairo, Alexandria, Damietta, Al-Menoufeyiah, Assiut, Al-Meniya, Qena and Aswan, in order to exchange knowledge and expertise so as to enrich the discussions. According to the training agenda, sessions are expected to address some fundamental rights such as the Right to Health and the role of the State in ensuring such right, as well as the Right to Life, the concept of Citizenship and Equality. The training is dedicating a full day to discuss issues of freedom of opinion and expression in the light of current developments, while focusing on its limits and the role of the State in the protection of such rights.
The learning environment provided by CIHRS during the training session is not restricted to the academic aspect. In addition to explaining the basic concepts of human rights through lectures presented by trained professionals possessing practical and training expertise, the training also includes several practical applications, training activities, and discussions among the participants. Furthermore, the course is supported by audio-visual material such as documentaries and movies that reflecting some human rights issues, in such a way as to offer a diversified and different atmosphere that enriches the debate and consolidates the ideas.
Worth mentioning that the Human Rights Education Program started its first summer training dedicated to students of Egyptian Universities and Institutes successively since 1993.These trainings have contributed over 19 years in training and educating generations of intellectuals, politicians, parliamentarians and human rights defenders, whose contributions to public action have been ongoing till the present day.
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