Training Boosts Geneva Diplomats’ Expertise in UN Human Rights Council

23 January 2024

Negotiation processes and voting of resolutions and decisions – including at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council – are among the most sophisticated and developed processes in today’s UN system.

Leveraging our extensive network of international experts and practitioners, the Geneva Human Rights Platform offered, in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), a three-day executive training course for Geneva-based diplomats. The training gave profound and pragmatic insights into multilateralism and the functioning of UN human rights mechanisms, focusing on the HRC and addressing negotiation practices at the multilateral level.

‘We are thrilled to offer this course for free thanks to FES support as part of our Training Hub. Condensed over three days, it can fit into diplomats’ busy schedules’ explains Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform.

Fascinating Exchanges among 16 Diplomats

A thorough selection of candidates resulted in a great and dedicated group of 16 participants coming from all regional groups with fascinating exchanges within the group and with experts from UN human rights mechanisms, the former Chiefs of the UPR and HRC Branches of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, civil society and senior diplomats.

Given the high turnover of diplomats in Geneva, we hope to be able to offer this executive training course once a year as a standing item in our Training Hub offer. Diplomats arriving in Geneva are not necessarily human rights experts but are expected to be operational from day one. This training not only helps them to adapt to their new positions and familiarize themselves with their new files but also ensures that the HRC can perform at its best, with dedicated diplomats who are well-informed about the intricacies and the history of this important UN body.

‘At FES Geneva, we are trying to act as a bridge between international organizations based in Geneva and the Global South, linking protagonists like parliamentarians, activists or trade unionists from the Global South to what is going on in international Geneva. In this way, we equip them with the means to interact, engage and have an impact. This programme for diplomats complements this approach on a different level’ explains Hajo Lanz, Director of FES Geneva Office.

Participants in the training course

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Human Rights Tiles News

From Signals to Action: Strengthening the UN's Conflict Prevention Efforts

31 March 2025

Our recent research brief series explores how the United Nations' human rights system can enhance its role in early warning and conflict prevention.

Read more

neurotech image News

Human Rights Concerns in Neurotechnology Examined in New Research Brief

15 April 2025

Our research brief 'Neurotechnology - Integrating Human Rights in Regulation' examines the human rights challenges posed by the rapid development of neurotechnology.

Read more

Local Government Event

Enhancing National Reporting and Implementation of Human Rights through Coordinated Engagement at the Local and Regional Levels: The Role of NMIRFs

23 July 2025, 10:00-17:00

This seminar explores how national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up can better integrate the capacities, data, and experiences of local and regional governments in advancing human rights implementation and reporting.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

Project

Follow-up Review Pilot Series

Started in November 2021

Read more

Panel Discussion: Project

Treaty Body Members’ Platform

Started in January 2014

The Treaty Body Members’ Platform connects experts in UN treaty bodies with each other as well as with Geneva-based practitioners, academics and diplomats to share expertise, exchange views on topical questions and develop synergies.

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more