CHR presents Advanced Human Rights Short Course on The Right to Development in Africa

Posted on September 01, 2017

The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (UP), hosted its Advanced Human Rights Short Course on The Right to Development in Africa from 21-25 August, 2017. The short course brought together more than 25 participants; from 15 countries across Africa and Europe, with backgrounds that include national human rights institutions, academia, NGO managers, government policy makers, civil society, independent community consultants, legal practitioners, state attorneys and diplomats.

The course started with an opening address by Mr Norman Taku, the Assistant Director of the Centre, followed by a presentation by Prof Michelo Hansungule, Academic Coordinator of the Centre’s LLM/MPhil (Multidisciplinary Human Rights) programme. Prof Hansungule gave participants a brief introductory overview of the human rights system, including the underlying philosophical justifications and the contents thereof. He noted the different facets of the right to development under the African Charter and other international instruments. Mr Carol Ngang, also from the Faculty of Law at UP engaged participants on the concept of differentiated state responsibilities within the sustainable development goals framework.

Professor of Law at Antwerp University in Belgium, Koen De Feyter, elucidated on the SDG framework, and referred to the implementation of the goals as a ‘delicate dance’ in relation to the attainment of the foundational pillars. Ms Mpho Letlape, for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, introduced participants to a development caravan; which is a synchronised poverty eradication system for local communities. Loita Holdings Corporation Chairman, Mr Justin Chinyata also shed light on the challenges for accessing private sector investment in Africa. He emphasised that a thriving private sector is crucial for economic development.

The highlights of the course included a visit by the Flemish Delegation to Southern Africa. The delegation was led by the Flemish Minister-President Hon Geert Bourgeois and Dr Geraldine Reymenants, the General Representative of the Government of Flanders. Also present were representatives from the University of Pretoria: Prof Tiniyiko Maluleke (Special Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria), Prof Andre Boraine (Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria) and Mr Norman Taku. Participants were further engaged in a moot court briefing which was a simulation of the case: Ogiek Peoples’ Development Programme (OPDP), Minority Rights Group International (MRGI) and the Centre for Minority Rights (CEMIRIDE), November 2009.

The Centre for Human Rights is thankful to everyone that supported the short course and remains steadfast in its commitment to human rights capacity building and education in Africa.

The course was made possible with financial support from the Government of Flanders

 
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- Author Centre for Human Rights

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