Overview
Since the early 1990s, RWI has maintained extensive cooperation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This has included cooperation programmes with institutions in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, as well as cooperation on the regional and sub-regional level.
The cooperation in Sub-Saharan Africa has primarily consisted of human rights capacity development programmes for justice and security sector institutions, national human rights institutions and, not least, academic institutions, while also including work in specialised areas with other actors, including civil society.
In addition, extensive scholarship study opportunities at RWI have been provided to African professionals, primarily for participation in international training programmes and the Master in International Human Rights Law programme, carried out jointly by the Faculty of Law at Lund University and RWI.
With presences in Nairobi (since 2002) and Harare (since 2019), we have over the years built extensive networks, knowledge and understanding in relation to human rights and human rights work in the region.
Through our cooperation in the region, several human rights education programmes and courses have been established, partner institutions have adopted new ways of working increasing compliance with international human rights standards and the resource base of human rights professionals in the region has greatly expanded.
Currently, we are engaged in cooperation programmes in Ethiopia, Kenya and Zimbabwe, as well as in a regional Sub-Saharan Africa programme. The programmes are financially supported by Swedish development cooperation.
Our Sub-Saharan Africa Programmes
Regional Africa Programme
We work with regional- and sub-regional institutions, and related duty-bearers, in the area of human rights, and with key regional actors able to follow up and influence the implementation ofhuman rights commitments in the region.
Our work in Kenya
In Kenya, we work with the correctional services to strengthen compliance with international human rights standards.
Our work in Ethiopia
Our cooperation in Ethiopia supports teaching, research and community engagement at the Centre for Human Rights , at Addis Ababa University.
Our work in Zimbabwe
The aim of the Zimbabwe programme is to contribute to enhanced enjoyment of constitutional rights in the country. This involves support to initiatives contributing to legislation, policies, practices and decision-making being increasingly informed by international human rights standards and principles.
If you wish to learn more about our International Programmes, please contact:
Johannes Eile
Johannes Eile holds a Master of Laws from Lund University, with specialisation in public international law and human rights. He has been working for RWI since 2000 in various capacities at the Department of International Programmes. Johannes has experience of work in primarily Sub-Saharan African countries, but also from countries in the Middle East, Southern Caucasus and South/South East Asia. He has coordinated methodology development work concerning e.g. RBM and development of large scale programme proposals, programme interventions and tenders.