Fully Funded 2024 OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship in Geneva Open to All Ages
Established in 1997 during the First International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is a vital initiative.
Designed to empower Indigenous Peoples, this program imparts insights into UN institutions and mechanisms addressing human rights and Indigenous issues.
Successful completion equips participants to safeguard and advocate for their communities’ rights.
A Multilingual Platform
Set to take place in the summer of 2024, the 4-week fellowship welcomes candidates proficient in English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Portuguese.
The program’s acceptance window spans until Saturday, September 30, 2023, ensuring ample time for applications.
Training Cohesion and Scope
Participants from all language components undergo simultaneous interpretation-based training in Geneva over four weeks.
This coincides with the annual session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (June/July), enabling active engagement.
Comprehensive Coverage
Selected fellows are entitled to round-trip airfare, living expenses, and basic health insurance for the training’s duration.
This comprehensive support underscores the program’s commitment to fostering impactful participation.
Inclusivity and Eligibility
The program embraces indigenous candidates, excluding non-indigenous applicants. Age holds no barrier, recognizing the value of diverse experiences.
Formal education limitations, common due to socio-economic obstacles, do not hinder participation.
Community Involvement
A dedication to knowledge-sharing persists post-fellowship, as candidates commit to training fellow Indigenous individuals upon returning to their communities or organizations.
Endorsed by their indigenous entity, candidates should possess a solid grasp of the program’s language of instruction.
Application Process
Applications, accompanied by official recommendation letters from nominating indigenous groups, are submitted by mail or email.
The selection process prioritizes gender and regional balance and assesses the human rights climate of the respective regions.
Comprehensive Selection Process
Previous indigenous fellows pre-select 15 to 20 candidates per language group, followed by interviews. Collaboration with partner universities supports candidate selection for Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian components. The final selection is reviewed by an advisory group comprising OHCHR staff, ensuring a rigorous and well-rounded assessment.