Many people want to better understand human rights and how to protect them, particularly with human rights conflicts around the world and ongoing human rights issues close to home. To help with that, UWinnipeg has launched a new Certificate in Human Rights, offered through the Global College.
This is a stand-alone certificate with 30 hours of coursework, built from courses already offered by UWinnipeg, and was designed to provide a more accessible and inclusive pathway for those hoping to gain a short and focused human rights credential.
“We are excited to offer a credential that is accessible to a wide range of students who are seeking training and expertise in human rights,” said Dr. Kristi Kenyon, Program Director of Human Rights. “This certificate, which can be completed in nine months of full-time study or part time over a longer period, may appeal to working students, mid-career professionals, first-generation students, newcomers, Indigenous and international students. Many are motivated to study human rights by first-hand experience of rights violations.”
Damhat Zagros, a member of the Refugee Advisory Network of Canada, describes the certificate as a tool for social equity. “By lowering the barriers to entry, you are ensuring that the voices most impacted by human rights issues, [including] refugees and marginalized youth, are given the academic tools to lead the conversation.”
The certificate can also help our local community. “The West End is home to many people who are aware of the importance of human rights but lack the time to commit to a full four-year program,” said Joseph Kornelsen, Executive Director, West End BIZ. “This certificate program considers that interest and need in the neighbourhood by finding the balance between comprehensiveness and time commitment.”
Career opportunities
The certificate provides substantive background in domestic and international human rights theories, origins, standards and practices, including practical analysis of human rights campaigns and advocacy strategies. It can help students develop and hone strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
Graduates can go on to work in public policy and other government roles, community service, non-governmental organizations, museums, education, and other sectors. The certificate will demonstrate expertise in the foundations of human rights, as well as experience with university-level academic work.
“From a professional standpoint, such a certificate would be highly valuable to individuals working in community development, settlement services, advocacy, and related sectors,” said Abhijot Chohan, a program lead and case manager working with refugee and newcomer populations. “A formalized credential in human rights would strengthen practitioners’ capacity to apply rights-based frameworks, critically assess systemic inequities, and advocate effectively within institutional and policy environments. In turn, this would enhance the quality of service delivery and support provided to vulnerable populations.”
Larry Paetkau, President of the Board of Directors of the Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties, agrees. “We believe this program will help build community capacity by equipping learners – including working professionals, newcomers, and individuals with lived experience of rights issues – with practical and foundational human rights knowledge.”
Students graduating with this certificate will have a strong foundation in the discipline, a tangible and recognizable credential, and the ability to ladder their certificate into a three- or four-year BA degree. Students can also earn the certificate without a degree. It can be completed full- or part-time, including while working.
To learn more, visit the Human Rights page.
