We work with Yerevan State University (YSU) and the American University of Armenia (AUA) in supporting their educational human rights programmes, as well as research on human rights-related issues. In terms of Clinical Legal Education, we are supporting the capacitation of all legal clinics active in Armenia. We collaborate with representatives from both academia and civil society.
The conference on “Human Rights Research in Armenia” was held at Yerevan State University on December 1, 2023. Various professional researchers participated in the conference provoking discussions on actual human rights issues for Armenia.
To support and promote research on human rights in Armenia, we have since 2023 co-organised the annual Human Rights Research Conference with academic partners.
The first Human Rights Research Conference was conducted at Yerevan State University in December 2024. In 2024, the conference was organised at the American University of Armenia The call for papers and how to participate in the conference is announced on the RWI website and social media.
Since 2024, we carry out a human rights fellowship programme which aims to deepen understanding and foster innovative approaches in human rights research. The programme is open for scholars from universities in Armenia and includes opportunity to conduct research in a conducive environment with peer support and expert guidance. Information about how to apply for the fellowship programme is announced on the RWI website and social media.
We also support master’s programmes, including the MA Human Rights and Social Justice programme run by the AUA. This support involves education, research, and outreach activities. Our support draws upon experience gained through co-organising the Master’s programme in International Human Rights Law taught at Lund university since 1991, as well as our experience supporting MA programmes worldwide. We also conduct assessments of master’s programmes’ curricula on human rights, as well as provide guidance on how to improve the content and structure of human rights programmes.
Together with Armenian academic institutions we have also explored how Clinical Legal Education initiatives can be developed further at Armenian universities, to equip students with practical skills and increase access to justice for vulnerable groups in society. Regular meetings bringing together representatives from Armenian legal clinics are organised for peer exchange and discussions with international experts and practitioners in the field.
On November 1 2023 the American University of Armenia hosted Hanna Johnsson, the director of the RWI Yerevan office. The lecture was delivered within the AUA’s undergraduate course on Introduction o Human Rights.