The Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent provides the participants with an intensive learning opportunity to deepen their understanding of the United Nations human rights system, instruments and mechanisms, with a focus on issues of particular relevance to people of African descent. The Fellowship Programme will allow the participants to better contribute to the protection and promotion of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of people of African descent in their respective countries. The first Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent was launched by the Anti-Discrimination Section of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2011 in the context of the International Year for People of African Descent. The next Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent will be held from 24 March to 11 April 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland. The programme will coincide with the 14th session of the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent. This will enable the fellows to attend and contribute to the work of the secretariat of the Working Group, and gain a better understanding of its mandate and work.
