Australia–China Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program

The following activities will be implemented for the year 2010–11.

Long-term study awards

These study awards aim to expand and strengthen the understanding of human rights law and the related domestic implementation issues among Chinese officials working in a key government agency directly concerned with human rights issues. Two masters-level scholarships will be awarded to officials of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to study human rights-related disciplines in Australia.

Counterpart agency: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Model United Nations

A Model UN will be convened under the HRTC program. A model United Nations human rights conference to be held in China and attended by approximately 240 Chinese students from some 60 universities throughout China. The activity will simulate the proceedings of the United Nations Human Rights Council in the debate and drafting of resolutions on two themes: i) rights of people with disabilities; and ii) the global financial crisis and human rights.

Cooperating agency: United Nations Association of China

Model UN (Australian participation)

A small team of Australian university students from an Australian university with experience in the conduct of Model UNs will participate in the Model UN Human Rights Council. They will participate in the simulated Human Rights Council as delegates on the same basis as the Chinese students. A senior representative of the participating Australian university will also attend the Model UN and have an advisory role in respect of the Australian students and the activity as a whole.

Cooperating agency: United Nations Association of China

Human rights knowledge competition

As part of a broader human rights public education program implemented by the United Nations Association of China, a public competition, conducted through print and electronic media, testing participants’ knowledge of human rights and China’s obligations under international human rights treaties.

Cooperating agency: United Nations Association of China

Human rights training for universities, in cooperation with the UN Association of China

A seminar in China to provide university students and staff with training on the rules and procedures of UN bodies that deal with human rights, and training on selected human rights themes.

Cooperating agency: United Nations Association of China

Workshop on Reporting on ICESCR

A workshop will be held in China to assist with the preparation of China’s second report on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which is due to be submitted in 2010.

Cooperating agency: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Study visit on government and NGO responses to domestic violence, in cooperation with the All China Women's Federation

Under this year's HRTC program, a study visit to Australia for a group of officials from the Ministry of Civil Affairs to observe the work of key government and non-government organisations in Australia that play a role in combating domestic violence will be held.

Cooperating agency: Ministry of Civil Affairs

HRTC small activities

This component provides funding for small activities generally aimed at village level, pratical measures to improve access to health and education services in remote areas of Yunnan Province. (Each central ministry has special responsibility for a relatively under-developed province. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has special responsibility for Yunnan).

Cooperating agency: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Workshop on domestic violence and legal aid services, in cooperation with the All China Women's Federation

A workshop will be held in China to examine measure for providing effective legal advice and assistance to women affected by domestic violence.

Cooperating agency: All China Women’s Federation

Domestic violence training for jurors and mediators, in cooperation with the All China Women's Federation

A workshop to provide anti-domestic violence training to staffof women's federations who work as 'people's jurors' and 'people's mediators'.

Cooperating agency: All China Women's Federation

Workers’ rights internship

In order to promote a deep level of engagement and exchange, a short work placement of a Chinese legal aid practitioner in one or more Australian organisations engaged in protecting and promoting the rights of workers will be organised.

Cooperating agency: Beijing Legal Aid Organisation for Rural Migrants

Children's rights internship, in cooperation with the Beijing Zhichen Legal Aid Organisation

In order to promote a deep level of engagement and exchange, a short placement of a Chinese legal aid practitioner in one or more Australian organisations engaged in protecting and promoting the rights of children.

Cooperating agency: Beijing Legal Aid Organisation for Rural Migrants

Resource materials on workers' rights

Under this year's work plan, the development and publication of a practical information resource for Chinese professionals involved in protection of workers' rights will be undertaken. The publication will draw upon research undertaken during the abovementioned Workers' Rights Internship in Australia.

Cooperating agency: Beijing Legal Aid Organisation for Rural Migrants

Study visit on sentencing and related issues in judicial practice

A study visit to Australia will be organised for a group of Chinese judges and court officials, to examine the application of human rights principles in sentencingand related areas of judicial practice.

Cooperating agency: Supreme People’s Court

Seminar on sentencing and related issues in judicial practice

A seminar will be organised in China to share with a large audience of judges and court officials the information gathered during the preceding study visit on sentencing and related issues in judicial practice.

Cooperating agency: Supreme People’s Court

Seminar on public services and protection of cultural diversity for ethnic minorities

A seminar will be held in China to examind programs and policies for incorporating respect for cultural diversity into key areas of public life.

Cooperating agency: State Ethnic Affairs Commission

Family planning and human rights on-site monitoring

Visits by an expert advisory team to two family planning pilot counties in China, to provide on-site advice and monitoring will be organised. The advisory team will consist of a small group of Chinese and Australian experts.

Cooperating agency: National Population and Family Planning Commission

Family planning and human rights training

A training program will be organised in China for family planning officials. The training program will focus on practical measures to protect and promote the rights of clients of family planning services.

Cooperating agency: National Population and Family Planning Commission

Human rights website development

A website on repoductive health rights that has been established for use in China by family planning officials, clients and other stakeholders will be further refined and updated.

Cooperating agency: National Population and Family Planning Commission

Seminar on government purchase of NGO services

A seminar will be held in China to examind the processes by which non-government organisations are engaged to provide services on behalf of government. The seminar will focus particularly on non-government organisations that work for vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens.

Cooperating agency: Ministry of Civil Affairs

Study visit on NGOs and vulnerable citizens

A study visit to Australia will be organised to examine the operation of Australian civil society organisations that provide services for disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens. The activity will focus on a specific target group or groups such as people with disabilities, women, the elderly or homeless people.

Cooperating agency: Ministry of Civil Affairs

Study visit on community corrections

A study visit to Australia will be organised for a small group of correctional officials, to assist with the community corrections pilot program, which is currently being implemented.

Cooperating agency: Ministry of Justice

Last reviewed: 23 February, 2011