Established in 2010, the Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation in the Caucasus is one of the first interdisciplinary Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation in the post-Soviet region. The Programme is open to students, civil society activists, human rights advocates, lawyers, and mid-career professionals from Post-Soviet States. It grants full and partial scholarships to students from the target region, a limited number of partially funded places to students from outside of the region.
The main aim of the programme is to support promotion of democracy, rule of law and good governance, strength Human rights protection in the region. Regularly reviewed and modified curriculum helps to adapt to current developments and EU/UN priorities in the region (accountability rule of law and security, “green policy”, energy and consumer rights protection, inclusion, business and Human rights, cultural rights, SDGs, children’s rights, environment climate justice, armed conflicts, forced migration/displacement ) and module structure which includes fundamental modules at coordinating university – Yerevan State University and specialised modules at partner universities in Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, the programme trains 20-25 practitioners per academic year. As part of the Global Campus of Human rights the GC Caucasus programme serves as important hub and research/educational centre for local, regional, and international stakeholders involved in the promotion of democracy and protection of human rights despite challenges and hurdles existing in the region today. The programme helps to strengthen civil societies in target countries and offer well-trained experts with necessary skills and competences who can serve as practitioners, human rights activists, researchers and officers at international, governmental, and non-governmental organizations, and academia.
Upon completion of our Master’s Programme students will be able
- to address human rights and democratization related issues,
- to apply gained knowledge and skills to a variety of real-life problems,
- to facilitate reforms directed to improve the effective functionality of democratic institutions and the environment for human rights.
It offers students a combination of an interdisciplinary approach, theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Specific objectives of the Programme:
- To increase access to education in human rights and democratisation to support post-Soviet region.
- To increase knowledge, skills and capacity of human rights professionals and their involvement or employment local, national, regional and international organisations.
- To offer capacity building opportunities to experts and professionals in the region.
- To foster cooperation between stakeholders, programme, and alumni/graduates on local, regional, and international levels via internships, workshops, guest-lectures, conferences, and other events.
- To consolidate global collaborations to advance human rights and democracy through inter-regional networking.
- To strengthen regional network of universities teaching Human rights and Democracy, networks of scholars, experts, and alumni in the field of Human Rights and Democratization though participation in joint events, conferences, and workshops.
- To involve external stakeholders into teaching, research, and networking activities throughout the region to foster policymaking and reforms in the region through programme alumni.