ARTICLE 19, the Global Campaign for Free Expression, is inviting appplications for a one¨Cweek intensive training course on theoretical and practical aspects of promoting freedom of expression and freedom of information in the South Caucasus. The course, developed in conjunction with journalists, freedom of information centers, and human rights organisations from the region, will take place in Kyiv from 22 to 27 November 2005. (16-SEPT-05)


ARTICLE 19, the Global Campaign for Free Expression, is inviting appplications for a one¨Cweek intensive training course on theoretical and practical aspects of promoting freedom of expression and freedom of information in the South Caucasus. The course, developed in conjunction with journalists, freedom of information centers, and human rights organisations from the region, will take place in Kyiv from 22 to 27 November 2005.

The training aims to provide practicing lawyers and NGO advocates from the South Caucasus with an opportunity to expand their knowledge and expertise in the field of freedom of expression and strengthen their capacity as key contributors to democratic developments in the region.

The course will provide participants with a thorough theoretical background on all key concepts of freedom of expression as well as with an opportunity to develop their skills in interactive training sessions on such topics as strategic litigation and legal analysis for lawyers, and monitoring and advocacy techniques for NGO advocates. The course will be run by ARTICLE 19 and other leading international experts and practitioners from Europe and Eurasia.

Applicants should:

Be from and work in the South Caucasus region;
Have at least two years of professional experience as a lawyer or an NGO activist;
Have an understanding of and practical experience with freedom of expression issues in the South Caucasus;
Be committed to promoting and defending human rights, and freedom of expression in particular, in their home countries;
Be fluent in Russian; a working knowledge of English is desirable.

Female candidates and candidates from outside the capital cities are strongly encouraged to apply.

ARTICLE 19 will cover travel expenses, as well as accommodation and subsistence of successful applicants. Each participant will receive a comprehensive freedom of expression resource pack.

For more information and an application form, visit ARTICLE 19´s website at www.article19.org. Please e-mail your completed application form to southcaucasus_FOE@article19.org. You may send your queries to the same email address. The deadline is  7 October 2005 .

This training course is funded by the Open Society Foundation Network Media Program.

Project partners:

The Yeni Nesil Union of Journalists, Baku; Yerevan Press Club and Freedom of Information Centre, Yerevan; The Liberty Institute, Tbilisi; Sukhum Media Club; Stepanakert Press Club; and Journalists for Human Rights,Tskhinvali