The Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) is a capacity building program designed to strengthen the skills, knowledge, and networks of proven human rights defenders at the grassroots level. Applicants from high-income countries will not be considered except for those representing marginalized communities.

Founded more than 20 years ago, HRAP leverages the resources of Columbia University and those offered by New York City as a center of NGOs and international organizations to provide proven grassroots leaders with critical skills-building and networking opportunities. Through workshops, seminars, participation in University classes and other activities as well as meetings with policy makers and potential funders, Advocates share their experiences, reflect critically on their strategies, and plan future campaigns. 239 advocates from more than 80 countries have participated in this program over the past 22 years. The cumulative reach of HRAP participants is extraordinary: alumni have worked with organizations whose memberships range from the thousands to the millions.

HRAP is fortunate to partner with numerous advocacy organizations to offer a full curriculum of training opportunities. That organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International-USA and WITNESS commit resources to working with HRAP is indicative of both their respect for the Advocates and the Program and of the benefits they feel they themselves derive from such participation. 

Advocates must work at the grassroots level. Applicants from high-income countries will not be considered except for those representing marginalized communities. See the http://hrcolumbia.org/hrap/apply/faq/ for more information about this requirement. Fluency in English is required. Preference is given to those who have not previously had opportunities to travel and study internationally.

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