Advocacy, Training & Capacity Building Services

Diplomatic Training for New Diplomats and Non-diplomats

INHR’s experienced Geneva and New York-based diplomats will train your experts on the working of the UN and its funds, agencies and programs of greatest importance to your organization. Whether you are a newly arrived diplomat, a long-time UN watcher taking on a new role, or just looking for updated skills to improve your interaction with governments and the United Nations, INHR can help. All of the training programs discussed below can be tailored to government or civil society actors and your organization's needs and goals. For those who want a deeper dive in a specific area, we offer specialized trainings on Health, Human Rights, Environment, Humanitarian, Labor or Trade Diplomacy. We also have specialized programs for whole delegations, such as those who are new members of the HRC or other specialized UN bodies. Our newest program trains the next generation of youth leaders for environmental advocacy.

Be A Better Negotiator

Negotiation skills and theory: Offered by a former U.S. diplomat and author of "Getting More Back" a treatise on negotiation theory and practice, this in-depth training will teach you to get the most for your government or organization in the United Nations. It teaches commonly used tactics for the UN negotiating context, the board room, and even for buying a car. Practice different skills and how to counter them while developing your own negotiation styles and learn to switch between styles depending on your counterpart. Learn how to use the BATNA tool (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement), tactics and skills for use in Distributive and Integrative negotiations, and other practical tips for win-win and win-lose negotiations. One day of this program is set aside for a mock negotiation, in which you will practice your skills and receive individual feedback.

Organizing for Advocacy Success

Our experienced diplomats will show you how to organize your mission’s annual calendar so that you have the people and resources needed to cover so many agencies. Develop a plan of your own priorities based on which agencies and issues are important to your capital, and get help knowing which meetings you can miss if you are shorthanded. For civil society groups, this can include planning an advocacy campaign beginning with a joint statement or an educational side event and concluding with your ideas or language incorporated in UN practice or resolutions.

Communications Skills for Government and UN audiences

Learn to communicate more effectively with UN and member state government officials and practice these skills. With modules such as “Let’s Meet Said the Iceberg to the Titanic,” “Death By Useless Meetings,” and “Out of Sight, Out of Mind,” we cover the entirety of a public meeting and advocacy campaign, starting with mapping the web of actors and finishing with impressive leave-behind documents that reinforce your message. A separate added day can help you with your public relations and media messages, including a video tape of you at a mock press conference.

Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence

Almost every UN fund, agency and program claims to have a role regarding Artificial Intelligence and other new technologies. Properly deployed, AI and machine learning can advance human rights, development, military and disarmament goals. Used poorly, AI can compound bias, invade privacy, hurt civilians and combatants, and produce mistaken results. Let our experts help you use AI responsibly and effectively through individual consultation or training for your entire delegation or department.

Better Access To, And Participation With, UN Agencies

From health to humanitarian, from ILO to the HRC, UNCTAD to WTO, our experts will provide you with an overview of the players and agencies in Geneva and how they work, as well as how they differ. For example, ILO staff have great influence and control in the drafting of resolutions, whereas work in the WHO is largely member-state driven. Conduct an actor-mapping exercise to ensure that your message is reaching the right UN audience and is tailored to the correct UN agencies.

Development that Makes A Difference

INHR Textbook on Multiparty Negotiations

Available on Amazon or direct from the publisher.

Non-discrimination

INHR Textbook on Multiparty Negotiations

We work to advance the rights of the under-represented - including women, disabled persons, ethnic and religious minorities. We make the link between UN standards and implementation in the real world.

Environmental Advocacy

INHR Textbook on Multiparty Negotiations

Environmental Advocacy

Since our founding, INHR has paid special attention to supporting the needs of delegations from SIDS/LDC countries. We recently initiated a new program to support youth advocates from the Small Island Developing States to encourage them to better advocate at UN venues, ranging from the climate change COPs to the UN Environment meetings to meetings focused on climate refugees, health impacts of climate change and human rights and the environment. Learn more by reaching out to contact@INHR.org.

Atrocities Prevention

Promoting Medical Neutrality

Environmental Advocacy

We can offer an atrocity prevention lens and new tools to address seemingly intractable conflicts such as South Sudan, the Rohingya crisis, mistreatment of religious minorities, terrorism in Libya, and gang violence in Central America.

Promoting Medical Neutrality

In conflict and in peace time, demonstrators get injured but a recent spate of attacks on hospitals and medical workers has increased the need to protect the neutrailty of medical workers as a human rights principle. We work to protect the rights of nurses, doctors and paramedics in these challenging contexts.