The Advanced Human Rights Course on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Africa 2026 is now accepting applications for professionals, students, researchers, human rights practitioners and other individuals interested in Indigenous Peoples’ rights and human rights law in Africa.
Organised by the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, in collaboration with the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the programme offers participants an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Indigenous Peoples’ rights within the African context.
The intensive short course will be delivered in a hybrid format, allowing participants to join online or attend physically in Pretoria, South Africa.
Advanced Human Rights Course 2026
The course is designed to strengthen participants’ knowledge, skills and understanding of the legal and human rights issues affecting Indigenous Peoples across Africa.
The programme will run from 23 to 27 November 2026. Participants attending in person will also have the opportunity to participate in a field trip scheduled for 28 November to 1 December 2026.
The course is particularly relevant to individuals working or studying in human rights, law, development, policy, advocacy and related fields.
What Will the Course Cover?
Participants will explore a wide range of issues surrounding Indigenous Peoples’ rights, including international, regional and national legal standards.
Key areas covered by the programme include:
- The concept and understanding of Indigenous Peoples in Africa
- International and regional standards on Indigenous Peoples’ rights
- Substantive rights and their application in Africa
- United Nations mechanisms relating to Indigenous Peoples
- African regional human rights mechanisms
- Development challenges affecting Indigenous communities
- Bilateral and multilateral cooperation
- International financial institutions and Indigenous Peoples
- The role of the private sector
- International processes and agendas affecting Indigenous Peoples
The course therefore provides an opportunity for participants to connect legal theory with practical challenges faced by Indigenous communities.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to a broad range of applicants with an interest in Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
Applications are particularly encouraged from NGO representatives, government officials, policymakers, legal academics, human rights activists, researchers, students and members of Indigenous communities.
Applicants from African countries are especially encouraged to apply because of the programme’s strong focus on Indigenous Peoples’ rights within the African context.
International applicants may also apply.
Hybrid Learning Opportunity
One of the major advantages of the 2026 programme is its hybrid delivery format.
Participants who cannot travel to South Africa can participate online. This makes the course more accessible to applicants from different African countries and other parts of the world.
A limited number of participants will be selected for physical attendance at the University of Pretoria in Pretoria, South Africa.
Applicants interested in attending physically must provide a short motivation explaining why in-person participation is important to them.
Scholarships Available
A limited number of scholarships are available for participants attending the course physically.
Scholarships are awarded competitively, meaning applicants should provide a strong application demonstrating their interest, experience and potential contribution to the field of Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
According to the course information, online participation is free, while the fee for in-person participation is US$250.
Applicants are advised not to make any payment until they have received confirmation that they have been accepted into the programme.
Application Requirements
Interested applicants should prepare a short CV of no more than three pages, submitted in PDF or Word format.
Applicants must also provide one letter of recommendation.
Students are required to submit their academic records combined into a single PDF or Word document.
Because the course is delivered in English, applicants are expected to have a high level of English proficiency.
A Google Gmail account is also required to complete the online application.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Advanced Human Rights Course on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Africa 2026 is:
23 October 2026
The course will take place from 23–27 November 2026, followed by the optional field trip from 28 November to 1 December 2026 for participants attending in person.
Applicants who do not receive a response within five days after the deadline may consider their application unsuccessful.
How to Apply
Applicants interested in this opportunity should carefully review the official course information and application instructions before submitting their documents.
Apply through the University of Pretoria Centre for Human Rights
This course offers an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in human rights, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, African law, advocacy, policy and community development to gain specialised knowledge while connecting with professionals and fellow participants from across Africa and beyond.
With free online participation, limited physical scholarships and a strong African focus, the programme may be particularly valuable for students, researchers and human rights practitioners seeking to strengthen their academic and professional profiles.
Deadline: 23 October 2026. Applicants are encouraged to prepare their documents early and submit their applications before the closing date.
Join Our WhatsApp Community
Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
