Human rights are under attack around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening the ongoing human rights crisis. Vulnerable groups including health workers, women, children, refugees, and the elderly are most at risk. To claim and defend your rights and those of others, the first step is to equip yourself with the required skills and knowledge. We have compiled a list of five human rights MOOCs with a focus on different human rights issues. You can audit the MOOCs for free or opt-in for a verified certificate for an extra fee. All courses in this list are self-paced and taught in English. You can choose to enroll anywhere, anytime.
International Women’s Health and Human Rights (Stanford University)
Around the globe women and girls still face discrimination, abuse, and violence. In this MOOC you will explore how human rights defenders tackle issues such as sex trafficking, female genital mutilation, and gender-based violence. You will learn about the hardships women face during wars, the consequences when they lack access to education and the impact of being denied adequate healthcare. You will also study how to develop positive interventions and defend the rights of women and girls in your community and beyond.
Children’s Human Rights (University of Geneva)
Children’s rights include the right to play, health, education, family life, the right to an identity, to survival and development, and many more. Because children are among the most vulnerable, they require special protection. In this MOOC you will explore key aspects of children’s rights: Including the global and regional protection mechanisms, international standards, and monitoring systems. You will also gain insights into the work of key actors in international organizations fighting for children’s rights.
Refugees in the 21st Century (University of London)
People around the world are fleeing from war and persecution. The 1951 UN Refugee Convention defines who a refugee is and what rights they are entitled to. In this MOOC you will explore the global system for refugee protection. Together with your peers you will discuss what durable solutions for refugees can look like. You will also shed a light on the plights of stateless persons and internally displaced persons who lack the protection of any state.
Inequality and Democracy (Utrecht University)
At the core of democracy and human rights is equality. Everyone should be able to participate when decisions are made that affect them. But economic inequality and gender discrimination are still on the rise globally. In this MOOC you will explore a variety of issues that are intertwined with human rights. You will look at the causes of inequality, the principles of democracy and the consequences of corruption.
Citizenship and the Rule of Law (University of London)
The rule of law is the implementation mechanism for all human rights. Without it, human rights are just words on paper. In this MOOC you will learn why rule of law matters, how the principles of rule of law are applied and how to evaluate arguments about justice. In this course you will discuss international and regional human rights frameworks including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the American Convention on Human Rights, and the European Convention on Human Rights.
