Capacity Development for the National Center for Human Rights
The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) was established in 2002. It is the successor of the Royal Commission for Human Rights (RCHR), which completed its mission the same year and recommended the creation of a national human rights body.
The goal of the Centre is to enhance the respect for human rights, to spread human rights cultures, to develop legislation and regulations that limit human rights violations, and to build an open database on the state of human rights in Jordan. It also seeks to promote non-discrimination against race, language, religion or gender and to enhance freedom, ensure political pluralism, respect rule of law and guarantee the right to economic, social and cultural development. A law that passed in September 2006 gives more independence to the NCHR in relation to undertaking its human rights-related activities. Background
The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) was established in 2002. It is the successor of the Royal Commission for Human Rights (RCHR), which completed its mission the same year and recommended the creation of a national human rights body.
The goal of the Centre is to enhance the respect for human rights, to spread human rights cultures, to develop legislation and regulations that limit human rights violations, and to build an open database on the state of human rights in Jordan. It also seeks to promote non-discrimination against race, language, religion or gender and to enhance freedom, ensure political pluralism, respect rule of law and guarantee the right to economic, social and cultural developme...
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Jordan’s First Youth Innovation Camp to develop an online game on local governance
Youth Participation in Local Governance is a UNDP project of support implemented by the Higher Council for Youth (HCY) in partnership with UN Volunteers (UNV). The objective of this project is to increase youth political participation and civic engagement in local governance through multiple phases that will address lack of inclusive youth access to participation using an online portal and game on local governance. Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), who will be responsible for the game and portal development, has requested that UNDP and other partners assist in the development of a ‘storyboard’, which will serve as the stepping stone to the launch of the game and portal. The project’s technical committee which includes UNDP, The Higher Council of Youth, UNV, PSUT, and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, organized and held a Youth Innovation Camp from 12 - 15 September 2012 in Aqaba. 45 participants were selected from a wide pool of university student councils, political parties, animation students and youth activists. For UNDP, this project represents a first example of engaging youth in the planning and design of project outputs. The camp introduced local governance and local development planning in their theoretical form but also concentrated on organizing segments that will enrich the storyboard of the game. Participants were divided in to groups of hypothetical municipalities and were requested to develop a campaign, agenda and to attract voters for a hypothetical municipal electoral process. Moreover, the camp’s agenda included an engaging discussion on the use of social media for political and social participation, as well as social accountability. Organizers concluded the first phase of the project with a brainstorming session on governance games and idea submissions. To access the project’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/youthparticipationjo   Feature
Jordan’s First Youth Innovation Camp to develop an online game on local governance
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Objectives
- The objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of the National Centre for Human Rights to implement its mandate in terms of reporting on, advocating for, and investigating human rights violations. In addition to the capacity development activities, UNDP will help the research and library division of the NCHR to become a resource centre for Jordan on international human rights documents.
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Key Expected Results - NCHR has developed its Strategic Action Plan for 2010- 2012
- Knowledge and understanding of international human rights standards and reporting systems within the NCHR, relevant government and non-government institutions, and academia is improved.
- A legislative review plan developed and implemented and the reporting and advocacy capability of the NCHR is enhanced.
Inquiry and investigation techniques of the NCHR are strengthened. - A library/information centre is established and the capacities of the NCHR are developed.
- Public awareness of the NCHR's mandate and activities increased.
- Pro-active support to the ratification and implementation of the UN conventions increased.
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Key Achievements todate
The project provided technical assistance to NCHR in the following: - Development of its 2010-2012 strategic plan.
- Conducting and publishing, in partnership with the Centre for Strategic Studies at the university of Jordan, the first national human rights public perceptions survey. The results of the survey will be used as baselines for future advocacy and awareness campaigns.
- Preparation of the first shadow report on the implementation of the Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities at the national level.
- Training of human rights focal points in government institutions on their role in promoting, protecting and reporting on human rights.
- Training of the Centre’s staff on investigation techniques of human rights violations.
- UNDP Jordan, together with the NCHR, have created a Researcher in Residence position in order to assist the NCHR in addressing Jordan’s obligations under international human rights conventions and treaty bodies. The Researcher in Residence will also assist the NCHR to establish sustainable links with other human rights institutions. This support will help the Centre to strengthen its institutional role, assert its independence, and become an example for similar entities in the region.
- A study analyzing the national budget for the years 2000-2010 from a human rights perspective, focusing on the rights to labor, health and education, was conducted by the NCHR.
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Project at a Glance
- Status: Closed
- Start Date: Aug, 2010
- End Date: Dec, 2012
- Executing Agency: The National Center for Human Rights (NCHR)
- Contributing Partners: UNDP, National University of Ireland (Galway)
- Budget: Total : USD 1,228,536 ; UNDP USD 400,000; Unfunded USD 827,636
- Beneficiaries: NCHR
- Location: Amman
- Delivery in
Previous Years: USD 277,600
Project Team
- Project Manager: Ms. Bushra Abu Shahout (Coordinator)
- Project Assistant: Ms. Zeina AlKaraki
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Related MDGs
