CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING
Training For Religious and Traditional Leaders on Engaging with The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and Regional and International Human Rights Mechanisms
Background: There are significant challenges faced in Africa, including religious extremism, military and constitutional coups, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The surge in religious extremism, for instance, has led to widespread human rights abuses, exacerbating social tensions and hindering efforts toward sustainable development and peaceful coexistence. Globally, the world contends with various forms of escalating conflicts, inequalities and challenges inhibiting the target of completing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly SDG 16: Promoting Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Therefore, there is tremendous importance in acknowledging the importance of religious leaders as part of the influential local voices within their communities in addressing these issues. Likewise, there needs to be concurrent efforts to involve faith-based and religious leaders from across the region of Africa towards enhancing and demonstrating how their efforts in grassroots peacebuilding are vital in shaping not only inclusivity within human rights, but also working towards establishing a just world. Faith-based actors and religious leaders are not only community leaders but essential collaborators in fostering and restoring the trust between people and institutions, advancing human rights, and sustaining peace. Despite their pivotal role, a significant gap exists in their engagement with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) and other human rights mechanisms. According to the ACDHRS database, which includes over 3,000 participants, only very few representatives from these groups have actively engaged with the ACHPR. It is important to note that the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) acknowledges the influential role of religious and traditional leaders in shaping democratic values, upholding the rule of law, and fostering peace across Africa. This training aims to bridge the gap by empowering religious and traditional leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage effectively with regional and international human rights mechanisms. By equipping these leaders with the tools to promote and protect human rights, advocate against SGBV, and contribute to conflict resolution and peace-building efforts, this initiative seeks to ensure a just and equitable society that upholds and respects human rights.
Context: This training seeks to empower religious and traditional leaders across Africa to engage effectively with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in promoting democracy, the rule of law, peace, and human rights
THEME: FROM TRADITION TO TRANSFORMATION: EMPOWERING RELIGIOUS AND TRADITIONAL LEADERS IN AFRICA FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Training For Religious and Traditional Leaders on Engaging with The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and Regional and International Human Rights Mechanisms
Background: There are significant challenges faced in Africa, including religious extremism, military and constitutional coups, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The surge in religious extremism, for instance, has led to widespread human rights abuses, exacerbating social tensions and hindering efforts toward sustainable development and peaceful coexistence. Globally, the world contends with various forms of escalating conflicts, inequalities and challenges inhibiting the target of completing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly SDG 16: Promoting Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Therefore, there is tremendous importance in acknowledging the importance of religious leaders as part of the influential local voices within their communities in addressing these issues. Likewise, there needs to be concurrent efforts to involve faith-based and religious leaders from across the region of Africa towards enhancing and demonstrating how their efforts in grassroots peacebuilding are vital in shaping not only inclusivity within human rights, but also working towards establishing a just world. Faith-based actors and religious leaders are not only community leaders but essential collaborators in fostering and restoring the trust between people and institutions, advancing human rights, and sustaining peace. Despite their pivotal role, a significant gap exists in their engagement with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) and other human rights mechanisms. According to the ACDHRS database, which includes over 3,000 participants, only very few representatives from these groups have actively engaged with the ACHPR. It is important to note that the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) acknowledges the influential role of religious and traditional leaders in shaping democratic values, upholding the rule of law, and fostering peace across Africa. This training aims to bridge the gap by empowering religious and traditional leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage effectively with regional and international human rights mechanisms. By equipping these leaders with the tools to promote and protect human rights, advocate against SGBV, and contribute to conflict resolution and peace-building efforts, this initiative seeks to ensure a just and equitable society that upholds and respects human rights.
Context: This training seeks to empower religious and traditional leaders across Africa to engage effectively with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in promoting democracy, the rule of law, peace, and human rights
THEME: FROM TRADITION TO TRANSFORMATION: EMPOWERING RELIGIOUS AND TRADITIONAL LEADERS IN AFRICA FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
OBJECTIVES
Date & Venue
14th -16th October 2025 – (Venue: Banjul)
TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS
• Acquire Knowledge and Skills: Gain practical knowledge on relevant regional and international human rights instruments and processes.
• Learn ACHPR Engagement: Understand the workings of the ACHPR and how to strategically engage with its mechanisms.
• Enhance Advocacy and Lobbying: Strengthen skills in advocacy and lobbying with human rights mechanisms through case studies.
• Discuss Human Rights Trends: Explore current human rights trends in Africa and develop strategies for promoting democracy, rule of law, and human rights.
• Network and Learn: Engage with other religious and traditional leaders across Africa, sharing experiences and best practices.
• Learn ACHPR Engagement: Understand the workings of the ACHPR and how to strategically engage with its mechanisms.
• Enhance Advocacy and Lobbying: Strengthen skills in advocacy and lobbying with human rights mechanisms through case studies.
• Discuss Human Rights Trends: Explore current human rights trends in Africa and develop strategies for promoting democracy, rule of law, and human rights.
• Network and Learn: Engage with other religious and traditional leaders across Africa, sharing experiences and best practices.
Expected Outcomes
- ● Development of actionable strategies and commitments for religious and traditional leaders to implement within their communities.;
- ● Strengthened network of religious and traditional leaders advocating for democracy, rule of law, and human rights across Africa.;
- ● Strengthen collaborative networks for collective action.
- ● Enhanced understanding among participants of the challenges posed by conflicts, military coups, SGBV, and human rights violations.;
- ● Meet and learn from defenders from West Africa Africa working on a range of human rights issues;
Languages:
English and French are the languages of the Training with available simultaneous interpretation facilities.
Target Participants:
• Have a minimum of two years of advocacy experience at the community or national level.
• Demonstrate commitment to promoting human rights within their communities.
• Be willing to actively engage with regional human rights mechanisms, especially the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
• Be available for the entire duration of the training.
• Demonstrate commitment to promoting human rights within their communities.
• Be willing to actively engage with regional human rights mechanisms, especially the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
• Be available for the entire duration of the training.
APPLICATION PROCESS
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭:
1. A completed application form.
2. A brief statement of purpose outlining your advocacy experience and commitment to human rights.
3. CV and a copy of a passport valid for at least six months from October 2025
4. Any other supporting documents
1. A completed application form.
2. A brief statement of purpose outlining your advocacy experience and commitment to human rights.
3. CV and a copy of a passport valid for at least six months from October 2025
4. Any other supporting documents
Deadline for Applications
[05th September 2025]
How to Apply
Submit your application through the Google Form provided below. For inquiries, please contact: Email: programs.manager@acdhrs.org / projects@acdhrs.org
How to Apply
Submit your application through the Google Form provided below. For inquiries, please contact: Email: programs.manager@acdhrs.org / projects@acdhrs.org
SELECTION
• 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝.
Take this opportunity to join a transformative training program and become a voice for the rights and dignity of Vulnerable and marginalized communities in Africa including those Discriminated based on work and descent! .
• 𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝.
Take this opportunity to join a transformative training program and become a voice for the rights and dignity of Vulnerable and marginalized communities in Africa including those Discriminated based on work and descent! .
• 𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝.
APPLICATIONS OPEN
