UNSW, MFA and GU-Q host Human Rights Capacity Building Workshop

With all eyes focused on Qatar’s ongoing enormous construction operation to prepare for the World Cup 2022, the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) of the University of New South Wales, Australia, in cooperation with Migrant Forum Asia (MFA) and Georgetown University Qatar (GU-Q) are hosting a four-day program to build knowledge and understanding about international human rights and labor standards and their relevance for the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar.

A large number of migrant workers are currently employed in these massive projects everywhere, in addition to those in services and domestic work, making the migrant worker ratio in the country higher than ever, highlighting the need for a large-scale program to raise awareness about the human rights of migrant workers.  This program would also enable participants to apply international standards and mechanisms more effectively in their individual and organizational efforts to ensure respect for the human rights of migrant workers.

Professor Patrick Earle, Executive Director of Diplomacy Training Program remarked; “DTP & MFA hope that this program can contribute to the efforts of all committed to ensuring respect for the human rights of migrant workers.  Building knowledge of human rights is essential to ensuring this respect.  This program will draw on the knowledge and experience of academics and practitioners at a time of major change in the laws governing migrants in Qatar and continues a partnership between MFA, DTP and GU-Q that goes back nearly five years.”The program will take place on 23-26 September and will provide a valuable forum for building collaboration and sharing knowledge and skills. It will help participants engage with their own societies, employers, and official departments. In addition, the program makes use of the valuable knowledge participants bring with them about their own background and situations. The program has proven to be useful to NGOs who have faced several limitations and barriers in the past.  All those interested in supporting migrant worker rights or working with migrant support communities based in Qatar are invited to register.

The program will cover topics such as the laws, standards, and United Nations conventions regarding human rights, and the best practices that should be followed by businesses employing migrant workers. It outlined the trends in industry approaches to worker welfare and discussed the challenges that arise in the recruitment process, as well as potential solutions.

Applicants should be interested and committed to learning more and working with others to promote and protect the rights of workers. The program will be conducted in English with simultaneous Arabic interpretation. To register or find out more please visit https://epe.qatar.georgetown.edu/HRCB