On 19 October 2015 the Public Defender opened the Academy of Human Rights. Pursuant to the legislation, one of the important functions of the Public Defender is to carry out educational activities on human rights, in particular, to raise awareness of various groups of society on human rights and fundamental freedoms. The newly established Academy of Human Rights is a structural unit of the Public Defender’s Office and is aimed at deepening research and analytical skills as well as knowledge of the target groups in the field of legal and other aspects of human rights. The Academy will enable public servants, students, teachers, journalists, employees of local governmental bodies and representatives of various groups of society to take week-long courses on human rights designed specifically for them. Trainings will be led by recognized international and local experts.

The first training will be held for teachers in Gudauri. The theme of the training will be teaching of human rights and the principle of non-discrimination in schools. Teachers will survey the issues such as: tasks, challenges, tools and methodologies of human rights education for children; the right to education, indoctrination and the use of religious symbols in schools; prohibition of discrimination on different grounds. Teachers will discuss practical exercises and will make presentations on various topics. The training will also focus on the prohibition of discrimination in labor relations, the Public Defender’s authority, the rules of submission of appeals, etc.

The event will be attended by 25 teachers from Tbilisi and regions (Telavi, Gurjaani, Marneuli, Akhaltsikhe, Zestafoni, Kutaisi, Kobuleti, Batumi, Poti, Oni, Terjola, Nigvziani, Tsintskaro, Chela, Ambrolauri, Vardzia, Mokhe, Samtatskaro).

The training will be led by Maka Gioshvili, Head of the Public Defender’s Department of Equality, and Ivana Roagna, certified senior trainer of the Council of Europe, university lecturer and human rights defender.

The Public Defender's Office will hold 4 trainings within the framework of the Academy of Human Rights this year. Intensive trainings are planned for the next year.