The English speaking component of the Indigenous Fellowship Programme began in 1997, as an initiative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) developed in the context of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (1995-2004).

The English speaking component of the programme generally runs for four months from April/May to July/August. The Fellows are based at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, Switzerland. The programme is an inter-active process, which consists of briefings on several topics (i.e. OHCHR’s work, the UN system and mechanisms) individual and group assignments.

Fellows also have the opportunity to receive training sessions with other UN agencies (ILO, WIPO, UNESCO, UNDP, UNITAR) and with other international organizations and NGOs such as the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), WWF, DoCip (Indigenous Peoples’ Centre for Documentation, Research and Information) and CODAP (Youth Resource Centre on Human Rights).  

At the end of the Programme, each Fellow should have a general knowledge on the United Nations system, international human rights instruments and mechanisms, in particular those relevant to indigenous peoples and be capable of giving training sessions within their communities/organizations on the knowledge acquired.

Fellows attending the English speaking component of the programme are entitled to the following: a return ticket (economy class) from the country of residence to Geneva; modest accommodation in Geneva for the duration of the Programme; basic health insurance for the duration of the Programme; a monthly grant to cover other living expenses in Geneva.

New: The 2010 English speaking Fellowship Programme will take place from 12 April until 23 July. The following participants have been selected:

• Ms. Karen Wheturangi Walsh-Tapiata, New Zealand
• Ms. Cheryl Dewitt, USA
• Mr. Dev Kumar Sunuwar, Nepal
• Mr. Joram Useb, Namibia
• Mr. Misiwaini Qereqeretabua, Fiji

The deadline to receive applications for the 2011 English speaking Fellowship Programme is: Monday 31 May 2010.

• Application form

>>Spanish speaking programme (sessions imparted in Spanish):

The IFP initially required the candidates to have a basic understanding of English. However, it became clear that this requirement prevented many indigenous peoples around the world from participating. Therefore, in 2000, the programme developed a Spanish speaking component particularly open to candidates from Latin America. Since then, the Spanish programme has been organized in close cooperation between OHCHR and the Human Rights Institute of Deusto University in Bilbao (Spain).

The Spanish speaking programme lasts for approximately four months and is divided in two parts: a first session, which takes place in Deusto University and provides training/lectures (170 hours) on human rights, international organizations, and international mechanisms for human rights protection. During this first phase, Fellows also attend English classes (50 hours), as an introduction to the language. This session generally takes place in April, May and June. The second session of about five weeks duration is then held at OHCHR in Geneva generally during July/August. This second phase, which is more practical, gives the Fellows the possibility to participate in the work of OHCHR, follow the sessions of the Working Groups and/or Committees but also enables them to have brief training sessions within other UN agencies including the ILO.

Please note that the application for the 2010 Spanish speaking programme is closed. Names of selected candidates will be placed on our website as soon as the selection process is complete.

New:The deadline to receive applications for the 2011 Spanish speaking indigenous fellowship programme is: Wednesday 30 June 2010.

• Application form

>>French speaking programme (sessions imparted in French):

The French speaking component of the programme was launched in 2002 in order to benefit indigenous communities from Africa, Canada and other French speaking regions. It used to be organized in partnership with the University of Bourgogne in Dijon (France) and was running for 2.5 months during September, October and November.

The programme is an inter-active process, which consists of briefings on several topics (i.e. OHCHR’s work, the UN system and mechanisms) individual and group assignments. Fellows also have the opportunity to receive training sessions with other UN agencies, including ILO, WIPO, and UNESCO.

At the end of the Programme, each Fellow should have a general knowledge on the United Nations system, international human rights instruments and mechanisms, in particular those relevant to indigenous peoples and be capable of giving training sessions within their communities/organizations on the knowledge acquired.

Fellows attending the French speaking component of the programme are entitled to the following: a return ticket (economy class) from the country of residence to Geneva; basic health insurance for the duration of the Programme; a monthly grant to cover modest accommodation in Geneva and other living expenses for the duration of the Programme.

Due to funding constraints of our University partner for the implementation of the programme, the French speaking fellowship could not take place in 2008. In 2009, while the OHCHR is still actively looking for a new partnership to re-start the programme, a shorter version of the programme will be organized.

The 2009 programme will take place at the OHCHR in Geneva from 12 October until 6 November. A session will also take place at the UNESCO in Paris from 9 to 18 November 2009.

Candidates selected for the 2009 French speaking programme are:

• Mr. Nyongolo Betto, Batwa from the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Mr. Evariste Ndikumana, Batwa from Burundi
• Ms. Mariama Walet Abdourhamane, Touareg from Mali
• Mr. Messe Venant, Baka from Cameroun
• Ms. Manon Jeannotte, Micmac from Canada

Please note that the application for the 2010 French speaking programme is now closed. Names of selected candidates will be placed on our website by the end of July 2010.

>>Russian speaking programme (sessions imparted in Russian):

The Russian speaking component of the programme started as a pilot project in 2005. It was imparted in cooperation with the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON) and the Center for Support of Indigenous Peoples of the North/Russian Indigenous Training Centre (CSIPN/RITC). In 2008, it has been implemented in cooperation with the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia.

The programme consists of two distinctive sessions: a first session in Moscow and a second session in OHCHR Geneva. Both sessions generally run throughout October, November and the beginning of December. The training session in Moscow includes introductory sessions to the UN system, introductory sessions to the work of UN agencies, briefings on UN mechanisms and procedures dealing with Human Rights in general and more specifically, the rights of indigenous peoples. Study-tours to governmental authorities also take place.

The Geneva component generally lasts for four weeks. It complements the Moscow component and includes introductions to the Human Rights Council, Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures, the instruments and mechanisms dealing with issues specific to indigenous peoples as well as practical exercises. Visits to other UN agencies and NGOs are also organized.

Candidates selected to participate in the 2009 Russian speaking programme are:

• Ms. Elena Nechushkina, Russian Federation
• Mr. Vadim Ryazantsev, Russian Federation
• Ms. Liubov Odzyal, Russian Federation
• Ms. Natalia Chayka, Russian Federation
• Mr. Vladislav Tannagashev, Russian Federation
• Mr. Grigory Dyukarev, Russian Federation
• Ms. Valeria Savran, Russian Federation
• Ms. Olesya Seliverstova, Russian Federation

Please note that the deadline to apply to the 2010 Russian speaking Programme has been extended to: Monday 30 November 2009.