Corrs Chambers Westgarth will welcome fellows of the Diplomacy Training Program this evening, in conjunction with the University of New South Wales.
Founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate José Ramos-Horta, the program has been running for 25 years, providing more than 2,500 human rights defenders with training in effective advocacy.
For the first time this year, the program, based at the University of New South Wales, has gained funding support from the Australian government to put together the anniversary fellows program, with 18 DTP alumni from across Indigenous Australia and the Asia Pacific. The group will undertake a specialised training, focussing on the role of the private sector in relation to human rights.
“We see the Diplomacy training program as an organisation that provides nations within our region with the building blocks that they need to become successful and the development of a strong civil society of which human rights is a key part,” said Corrs partner and DTP director, Michael do Rozario.
“Corrs has been working with DTP for several years now and we’ve had deep involvement, in particular through our summer clerk projects with some of causes that DTP has supported in particular Aboriginal human rights.”
The program allows the firm to provide lawyers interested in human rights with the avenue to continue their support.
“Working with the DTP in particular and other organisations really give them an opportunity to use that knowledge in a way that’s very tangible and productive and really helps them continue their interest in this area,” Rozario said.
Tonight’s event will be attended by advocates from Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, and Fiji, celebrating the work of the DTP over the past 25 years, with a special address to be delivered by the Hon Michael Kirby.
“What Corrs has brought to our work is something that we didn’t have the capacity to achieve including a much more strategic relationship with the Australian government,” CEO Patrick Earle said of Corrs’ involvement with the program.
“They have enabled us to achieve a level of recognition and support from the Australian government which was not possible before we had that relationship with them.”
