Context
Considering that safeguarding human rights is a fundamental responsibility of the state, the National Institute of Administration (INA, I.P.) offers a programme that places a strong emphasis on the crucial role of public sector professionals as key agents in the actualisation of these rights. This course aligns with the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and the Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights, both of which highlight the critical significance of human rights education. INA firmly believes in the need for a comprehensive training approach within the public administration, addressing both general and sector-specific protection instruments. This approach encompasses essential topics such as equality, combating racism, guarding against discrimination, promoting non-discrimination, fostering interculturalism, and facilitating the integration of migrants, asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection. These efforts also serve to enhance the dissemination of democratic literacy, promoting a deeper understanding of the principles of democracy and human rights.
Objectives
With the aim of raising awareness and disseminating human rights and their integration into the functions of the Portuguese public administration, the programme is a free online course designed to guarantee access to and respect for human rights in the workplace. The course is based on the understanding that the mission of the public administration in a Democratic Rule of Law is subject to the guarantee of human rights, which today – more than ever – must be recognised as a multilevel protection that goes beyond the national scope.
Participants who successfully complete the courses will be invited to present value-based initiatives for their organisations aimed at putting human rights into practice. This initiative, known as the Network of Ambassadors for the Promotion of Human Rights in Public Administration, promotes the application of the knowledge acquired in the workplace with the aim of transforming services.
Implementation
The course lasts 30 hours and begins with a two-hour reflection webinar focusing on ‘The Priorities of the National Human Rights Institution’. This is followed by four modules delivered by 15 partner institutions from the public administration. The course concludes with a two-hour dissemination and sharing webinar, with the participation of three civil society associations per edition. The videoconferences are held on the Zoom platform and the teaching materials and examination are provided through the Moodle learning management system. INA, as the body coordinating this course, has a dedicated team of two senior specialists and an administrative assistant, coordinated by a middle manager, with the collaboration of the Communications Department for the production of promotional materials.