An on-line Human Rights Education programme was launched today by the Second Secretary of the Australian High Commission, Ms Natasha Morris and Human Rights NGO, Dis-Moi in the presence of the Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and The Blue Economy, Ambassador Barry Faure.
The programme, which is the first of its kind to be launched in Seychelles, will provide an on-line training platform for civil society groups including people with disabilities to improve their knowledge and understanding of human rights norms and principles, the values that underpin them, and the mechanisms for their protection. The programme will help equip them with the necessary skills to empower members of the community so that they are able to exercise their rights and to also respect and uphold the rights of others.
Similar programmes have been launched in Mauritius, Rodrigues, Madagascar and Comoros.
Speaking at the launch of the programme in Seychelles, the Australian High Commission’s Second Secretary, Ms Natasha Morris said: “Human Rights underpin peace and prosperity – Australia’s experience is that building human rights into the fabric of society makes societies more harmonious through shared values and norms. Harmonious societies in turn work together more effectively, and in doing so, create more prosperity and security for our nations.”
The Australian High Commission is pleased to be partnering with Dis-Moi to promote human rights education in Seychelles that we hope will help civil society groups in Seychelles reinforce their capacity to support human rights. An active civil society is an important pillar of functioning democracies.”
Other dignitaries that were present for the launch included the Ombudsman, Mrs Nichole Tirant Gerardhi, Mrs Michelle Lacoudraye-Harter, Vice Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission and Mrs Eline Moses, Chairperson of Citizens Democracy Watch Seychelles.
The On-line Human Rights Education programme is being funded by the Australian High Commission’s Director Aid Program, a flexible small grants program that is aimed at achieving practical and tangible humanitarian or developmental outcomes in vulnerable communities that have a direct, practical and immediate impact and support achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
3 April 2019