Crucial legal and practical advice will soon be available for those bound for war zones, trouble spots and areas hit by natural disasters.
The University of Aberdeen and international security risk mitigation company AKE Ltd are launching a pioneering short course in Human Rights in Conflict, Reconstruction and Disaster Zones: Customs, Laws, Conventions and Practicalities.
The new course is targeted at people working in a wide range of sectors including Non Governmental Organisations, Armed Forces, Government, the energy industries, the media, private security companies and those concerned with corporate social responsibility.
Founder and CEO of AKE, Andrew Kain, is the driving force behind the course. He said: "There is not an individual, company or organisation that has worked in a war, disaster or reconstruction zone or a difficult area of commercial operation that has not confronted issues raised by human rights and international law. The issues raised are varied in scope and can impact negatively on operational outcomes. This need not be the case.
"The idea for the course was shaped by many years' experience operating in difficult environments and first hand knowledge of the challenges posed by the issues raised by human rights and international law to, for example, media personnel covering a story in a war zone or area of political instability, or an energy company operational in environments such as the Niger Delta, where corporate social responsibility is extremely important."
The course will provide an understanding of the complex political and legal context of human rights and international law; the issues raised and their practical implications, and the pertinence of these issues in terms of operation and commercial success.
This unique and cross-sector course is the first of its kind to combine the academic, legislative and practical experience of those teaching. It is hoped that the course will attract international delegates to Aberdeen.
Nikki Musgrave from the University of Aberdeen's Research and Innovation department said: "It is a very exiting course for the University of Aberdeen to offer and we are sure it will be a success. It brings together a unique group of academics and practitioners who are experts in this field. It is hoped that the certificated course, which first runs from the 9th to the-12th of September will be offered at least twice per year."
Mr Kain added: "I am delighted that the University of Aberdeen will be running the course and am also thrilled to be involved with such an ancient and prestigious seat of learning."
For more information visit: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/humanrights/