What is the Fellowship programme?
The Fellowship programme for people of African descent is an intensive human rights training for people of African descent, from the diaspora, who are engaged in promoting the rights of people of African descent.
It takes place once a year at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva.
The Fellowship programme provides the participants with the opportunity to:
Learn about and deepen their understanding of the international human rights law and the UN human rights system, the international framework to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and intersecting issues with a focus on people of African descent;
Gain first-hand exposure to international human rights mechanisms and OHCHR.
Engage with the international human rights mechanisms and OHCHR and strengthen skills in developing project proposals and delivering presentations.
The Fellowship Programme was initiated by the OHCHR Anti-Racial Discrimination Section in 2011 and was further supported by the United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/69/16 on the Programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent. The High Commissioner is the coordinator of the Decade. The 2025 Fellowship Programme will be the first to take place during the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034), which was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2024 by resolution A/RES/79/193
Purpose of the programme
The aim is to strengthen participants’ skills to contribute to the promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of people of African descent in their respective countries. The participants are equipped with the tools necessary to: ensure the development of legislation, policies and programmes aligns with international human rights standards; strengthen collaboration of civil society with governments; and undertake local awareness-raising and advocacy activities.
Stories from former fellows
Voices of the Decade features 11 stories of fellows of African descent, providing a snapshot of their important and inspiring work achieved to promote the human rights of people of African descent throughout the world. Voices of the Decade is a call, and a source of inspiration, for everyone to work together towards recognition, justice and development for people of African descent.
