INTRODUCING THE ETC
The ETC has been set up as a non-profit association and started its work in October 1999. Its premises in Graz have been opened on the occasion of the Human Rights Day on the 10th of December 2000 (Inauguration). Its main aim is to conduct research and training programs in the fields of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in close co-operation with the University of Graz. Special emphasis is put on training programs for civil servants, the police, army, as well as for members of international organizations and NGOs in Austria and abroad. New innovative teaching methods are applied in "train the trainers programs". Simultaneously, basic research is conducted with a particular research focus on South Eastern Europe.
Learn more about the ETC and its activities by following these links: - THE CHALLENGE - The challenge we face
- OUR RESPONSE - What we do to meet that challenge
- CAPACITY AND PARTNERS - Our partners and financial capacities
- OUR STRUCTURE - How the organisation works
- ADVISORY BOARD - Eminent people supporting our work
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THE CHALLENGE
Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are the fundamental pillars of the Council of Europe, the European Union, OSCE and the International Community of states, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations in general. Education and training as well as research in these areas have to be a basic concern of every open society.
The learning about human rights, democracy and rule of law is an essential contribution to the progressive development of an active civil society as well as peace and to stability and therefore also constitutes a focus of the Human Security Network or the Stability Pact for South-Eastern-Europe. There is a close relationship between human rights learning, human security and human development.
Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are also part of conflict prevention as well as societal reconstruction after conflicts and societal development in general. These concepts provide also a basis for the dialogue of civilizations.
The implementation of the objectives of the United Nations Decade on Human Rights Education (1995 - 2004) in Austria requires an essential widening of the offers in the field of human rights education and training, both in formal education and in the basic training of the police or judges, but also in the training of teachers and collaborators of public administration or non-governmental organisations.
The overriding objective is a contribution to the development of a "Culture of Human Rights" at the global, European and local level, i.e. by the support of the development of human rights cities.
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OUR RESPONSE
TRAINING:
· Education, training and information are provided on human rights, the enhancement of democracy and the rule of law. This is aimed at specific target groups such as the educational sector, the judiciary, the administration, the police, the military and members of national and international organisations and institutions in Austria and abroad. Due to its well equipped premises the ETC also acts as a partner for training programs.
· Development and organisation of programs to "train the trainers" in Austria and abroad.
· Planning and realisation of an international summer academy in the field of human rights and human security.
· Organisation of courses, seminars, conferences, symposia, workshops and other educational activities.
· Establishment of a team of internal as well as international experts in human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
RESEARCH AND PROJECTS:
· Promotion and realisation of research projects with assistance or on behalf of European institution, Austrian ministries and other initiators.
· Composing of publications, studies, curricula and manuals focused on human rights education, human security, discrimination, migration, terrorism as well as human rights at the local level, human rights and democracy in South-Eastern Europe and the culture of human rights.
RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT:
· Preparation, compilation, documentation and distribution of relevant materials, documents, literature and case law.
· Constant information about current activities and discussion of topical issues in our Newsletter and at the ETC-Homepage.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION:
· Participation in international networks in the field of human rights and democracy.
· Cooperation in international projects in the field of human rights.
· Development of networks of Human Rights Centres in South Eastern Europe.
· Focal point of PDHRE for human rights learning in Europe.
CONSULTANCY AND SUPPORT:
· Consultancy and support of internal and foreign students, pupils and teachers in project activities, diploma thesis and dissertations in the fields of human rights and political education.
· Support and assistance of exchange students coming from partner Universities and from the European Master Programme for Human Rights and Democracy in Venice and Sarajevo.
· Support of government and administration officials as well as public statements on human rights questions.
INTERNSHIPS:
· Possibility of internship programmes for young academics from Austria and abroad.
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CAPACITY AND PARTNERS
The city of Graz, the first Human Rights City in Europe, hosts the ETC, which coordinates the implementation of the " Human Rights City" project.
Graz being the gateway to the South-Eastern Europe also facilitates co-operation with this region. The ETC has created a network of Human Rights Centres in several Universities of South-Eastern Europe. (Human Rights Centres Net in South-Eastern Europe).
The ETC maintains close contacts with a multitude Austrian, European and international human rights institutions. It is the European partner of the Peoples Movement for Human Rights Education (PDHRE) which initiated world wide the idea of Human Rights Cities. Moreover the ETC assists the work of the Austrian Advisory Council on Human Rights at the Ministry of the Interior and its commissions and works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Education in the field of human rights education and human security as well. The ETC serves the University of Graz as a competence centre for human rights and democracy and supervises the participation of the University of Graz in the European Master Programmes in Human Rights and Democratisation in Venice and Sarajevo.
The ETC follows an interdisciplinary approach, being supported by an international Advisory Board.
The ETC is financed by the City of Graz, the Federal State of Styria and several Austrian federal ministries. It also expects to receive financial assistance for its projects and programmes from European and Austrian institutions and sponsors.
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OUR STRUCTURE The ETC has been set up as a non-profit association, which is connected to the Karl-Franzens-University of Graz by an agreement.
Directors:
Prof. Mag. Dr. Wolfgang Benedek, University of Graz, Member of the Advisory Council on Human Rights of the Minister of the Interior, Chairman of World University Service Austria.
Prof. DDr. Renate Kicker, University of Graz, Member of the European Committee on the Prevention of Torture.
A separate ETC-Research association supports the research activities of the ETC. Donations to the research association are tax deductible.
Bank details: BA-CA Graz, bank code: 12000; account number: 0788-39420/02 |
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