The Diplomacy Training Program: 20 Years of Commitment
Diplomacy Training ProgramT

he establishment of the Diplomacy Training Program (dtp) was
largely the result of a chance encounter in 1988 in Geneva between
Professor Garth Nettheim and José Ramos-Horta. The following
year, they met again in Sydney, Australia where Mr. Ramos-Horta floated hisbrainchild for what became the dtp.1 In his many years of representing theEast Timorese struggle at the United Nations and elsewhere, he had needed
to learn from the ground up what the international system was all about,
how it functioned, and how to use it effectively. He noted that relatively
few advocates from the Asia-Pacific region used the system as well as theymight have. He thus conceived the idea of a human rights training program,particularly for non-governmental organizations in the region.
In the words of Mr. Ramos-Horta2

The idea came from my own experience over many yearsof representing the cause and plight of East Timor to the world.
Those were very difficult years for people in East Timor, yet thepeople held great hope that the international community would
live up to its promises and uphold their rights. I learnt that thefate of these hopes, of many lives, lay not just with governments,
but depended on the skills and knowledge of committed advocates. I came to know many courageous individuals who carried
the hopes and expectations of their people. I saw the need for apractical human rights training program that could help them tofulfil these hopes, to end conflict and to build peaceful solutions
through dialogue.
The name ‘Diplomacy Training Program’ expresses the aimof providing human rights defenders, representatives of disenfranchised peoples and communities, with the knowledge andskills of diplomats. I called it “peoples’ diplomacy” to reflect theunderstanding that the causes of peace and human rights cannot
be entrusted to governments alone. The name of the organization was also sensitive to the time, for in 1989, human rights
advocacy was a less acceptable activity than it is now.
The dtp held the first four-week annual training from 8 January to 2
February 1990. It was followed soon after by the first of the many of the dtp’s
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specialized training programs on Indigenous peoples’ issues, for Indigenous
peoples within Australia, and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.3
The dtp is an independent non-governmental organization (ngo)which advances human rights and empowers civil society in the Asia-Pacificregion through quality education and training, and capacity-building fornon-governmental organizations, individual human rights defenders, andcommunity advocates.
It is affiliated with the University of New South Wales (unsw), throughthe Faculty of Law, which provides academic support. It links and partners
with regional and international human rights and civil society organizations
and conducts courses in partnership with respected organizations throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Empowering Through Knowledge and Skills
The dtp’s work is based on the need to offer practical support to those involved in the difficult and often dangerous work of promoting and protecting human rights.
It builds knowledge and understanding of international human rights
standards and monitoring mechanisms. Its programs explain how theUnited Nations (UN) system works in practice, and how human rights defenders can most effectively access complaints and grievance mechanisms.
It develops the skills to seek peaceful redress for grievances through available mechanisms at the national level, through the UN system, and throughappeals for public support. The programs also build practical skills in strategic advocacy using the media: exploring new technologies to practicallypromote and protect human rights—from mobile phones to video and theinternet.
The Participants
The participants in the dtp’s programs come mostly from ngos andcommunity organizations working on the human rights frontline. They
work to end torture, political killings and “disappearances.” They work to
end violence against women, to end the use of child labor. They work to
defend the rights of domestic workers, migrant workers, and workers infree-trade zones. They work to defend their rights as Indigenous peoples, toprotect the environment, and to stop forced eviction. They have come from

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over thirty countries—from Afghanistan and Burma through to Sri Lanka
and Timor-Leste.
Participants have come from diverse communities such as Aceh,
Bougainville, Chittagong, Mindanao, Mizoram, Nagaland and West Papua.
All across the region efforts to build peace and strengthen democracy andto protect human rights are being pursued—often at great personal risk—byadvocates who are courageous enough to stand up against corruption, injustice and oppression. These advocates are making a real difference in theircommunities and in our region. The dtp delivers direct help to those who
most need it, those at the frontline of efforts to make their governments
respect, protect and fulfil human rights.
Participants are sought through an open application process with information about programs being distributed through dtp’s alumni and partnerorganizations and networks within the region. Applicants are asked to explain how the training will be relevant to their work for human rights andhow they might apply the training. Participants are selected on the basis of
their application forms and references. Efforts are made to ensure that there
is a gender balance within each program.
Approach to Training
Through its trainers, the dtp places an emphasis on both academic rigor
and the practical application of knowledge. The dtp’s approach to training
is based on a profound respect for the knowledge and experience of the participants in its programs. This is reflected in the participatory methodology
and organization of the programs with the emphasis on small group work,
exercises and role-plays. Time is provided for the sharing of knowledge andthe building of links between participants.
The Diplomacy Training Program is an innovator and leader helping to bring about positive and lasting change in people’s
lives. It has lifted understanding of how to advocate effectively—of how bilateral and multilateral relations operate and where theentry points are for ngos. It has created a powerful group ofpeople—a talented and energetic alumni that, as well as making vital individual contributions to social and political causes,
has become a community of mounting learning and experience which is advancing human rights and promoting development.—Marc Purcell, Executive Director, Australian Council
for International Development, and dtp Trainer

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Witness has valued the opportunity to partner with the annual dtp training for human rights defenders for the past four
years – the trainings bring together such a diverse range of advocates, and immerse them in learning and network-building,filling a vital space in the human rights training and support
landscape for the Asia-Pacific region.—Sam Gregory, Asia
Program Director, witness, and dtp Trainer
Dtp strengthens the dynamics of international humanrights standards for ngo activists. For example, in Indonesia
we can now build advocacy capacity and lobby for Munir’s
case and the Aceh-Papua human rights violation case.—Rusdi
Marpaung, Managing Director, Imparsial Indonesian Human
Rights Monitor, Alumnus and dtp Trainer

Responding to the Challenges of a Changing World and Region
The Asia-Pacific region has changed considerably since dtp was establishedin 1989. In some countries human rights defenders still risk their life andliberty when speaking out, in others they challenge the impunity of humanrights violators and are seeking to build societies that respect and upholdvalues of human dignity. Accelerating processes of globalization, and increasing gaps between rich and poor are creating new challenges for humanrights defenders. In recent years new international standards on the rightsof migrant workers, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities havebeen adopted. New standards are being developed in relation to the human rights responsibilities of business, and the UN human rights system has
been reformed. The spread of the internet, the mobile phone and communications technology has led to new possibilities for action. These challenges,
and new opportunities for participation in decision-making processes at thenational, regional and international levels mean that to make a difference,
human rights defenders and community advocates need more specialized
knowledge and skills.
Flagship Annual Training Program
Each year the dtp organizes its comprehensive Annual Regional Human
Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy training program - bringing together twenty

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to thirty human rights defenders for an intensive three weeks of learning.
This is the longest established program of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region
and has been held in Bangkok, Colombo, Dili, Kathmandu, Sydney, Suva
and Wellington. It provides participants with solid skills in human rights advocacy, as well as an opportunity to explore some new and emerging issues.
Since 2003 the dtp has introduced new thematic courses on Indigenous
Peoples’ Rights, Migrant Workers, Human Rights and Business and Human
Rights and Trade to supplement its flagship Annual Regional Human Rights
and Peoples’ Diplomacy course. It has developed new course content on therights of persons with disabilities, child rights, climate change, the environment and human rights.
Dtp helped me link the dots between the concept and practice of human rights. Engagement of alumni of dtp has beensignificant in the human rights movement. I am optimistic thatthe regime of human rights will arrive soon in the region if we
continue to build the capacity and knowledge of human rights
defenders.—Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Program Manager for
East Asia, forum-asia Regional Office and Alumna
On behalf of the dtp alumni and the Burmese Communityof Australia I wish to thank your team for your selfless commitment towards our cause to restore democracy in Burma and for
Global Human Rights by sharing your knowledge and expertise. —Dr Kyaw-Myint Malia, Burma Campaign Sydney andAlumnus
Thematic Capacity Building Programs
In response to international developments, the changing human rights
challenges in the region and the needs of advocates, the dtp has developed
specialist thematic training programs - on Human Rights Advocacy andBusiness, Human Rights and Trade, the Rights of Migrant Workers, andthe Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It is currently exploring the developmentof new capacity-building programs in relation to the new UN Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and Human Rights and Climate
Change.
Building the knowledge and skills of advocates is a vital task.
Over the past six years, Migrant Forum Asia and the Diplomacy

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Training Program have worked in close partnership to build thecapacity of advocates for the rights of migrant workers from
Asia and the Pacific. In Migrant Forum Asia, we know that applying international human rights standards to practice is anurgent need, and we have seen the difference that advocacy canmake to the lives of migrant workers and their families. We haveseen how our member-organizations across Asia have benefited
from the partnership between MFA and dtp.—William Gois,
Coordinator, Migrant Forum Asia, ngo Partner
Country Focus
The dtp also organizes programs with a specific country focus. It has
trained officials of the Tibetan government-in-exile, human rights ngos in
Taiwan, and many in the Burmese democracy movement. It has had a special focus on Timor-Leste, working with human rights defenders and officials of the newly independent country.
National Human Rights Institutions (nhris) across the
Asia-Pacific are now an important part of human rights promotion and protection in the region. The dtp has helped to build
the capacity of staff on important issues such as the rights of
migrant workers, and Indigenous peoples’ rights and has helped
to build collaboration between nhris and civil society. We always get great feedback about the training programs.—Kieren
Fitzpatrick, Director, Asia Pacific Forum (apf), and ngo
Partner.
Since 1989 the dtp has organized regional and in-country human rights
training programs in Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sri
Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste. These human rights programs are heldin partnership with many different organizations in the Asia-Pacific region.4 These partnerships are based on a shared commitment to promoting
the application of common values of human dignity in our societies. The
dtp’s work has been made possible through the quality of its partnerships
in Australia and the region. In 2008, the dtp was able through these partnerships to hold eight programs, providing practical training to over two
hundred human rights defenders and community advocates. Since 1989,
the dtp has trained over one thousand six hundred human rights defenders
and community advocates from over thirty countries in the Asia-Pacific re-The Diplomacy Training Program: 20 Years of Commitment

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gion including Afghanistan, Australia, Burma, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu and Vietnam.
The training programs are practical and participatory. They develop
knowledge and understanding of human rights standards – and the relevance of these standards to the issues and challenges that are being faced byparticipants. Most courses begin with an introduction to human rights andto the UN system, before focusing on particular rights – such as the rightsof migrant workers, Indigenous peoples, women and economic, social andcultural rights – and on specific skills such as strategic advocacy, lobbying,
the internet and media skills. The programs are scheduled through the year
– with dtp currently able to organize and facilitate four to five regional programs and six to seven Australian Indigenous peoples programs.
All the programs are organized in partnership with regional and local
NGO partners. The role taken on by local partners varies considerably, but
includes input into selection of participants, the program schedule and thetrainers as well as advice on timing and location of programs and providing
administrative support. Where possible, practical field visits are organizedas part of each program – whether visits to particular communities or practical lobbying exercises involving government officials, diplomats or representatives of business.
Training Modules
While each training program aims to mix knowledge and skills it does nothave set training modules. The specific content delivered, including casestudies, scenarios and exercises depends on the particular trainers in eachprogram.
Each training program is supported by the dtp Manual which is regularly updated. The dtp Manual consists of many short chapters written inplain English by leading academic experts and practitioners. For any session
in a dtp course there is at least one supporting chapter in the dtp Manual– which acts as an introduction to the issues and provides references andsuggestions for further reading. Where the chapter has been written by thetrainer delivering the session there is usually reference to it during the sessions. Increasingly in recent years, dtp trainers have also used PowerPoint
presentations and these are also provided to participants.

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Shared Commitments
The dtp’s work is made possible through the generous pro-bono contribution of its many trainers.5 Leading academics, ngo practitioners and UN
officials are among those who generously share their time, knowledge andexpertise. They do so because of their belief in the value of the dtp’s work,and their commitment to the important and often difficult and courageous
work of human rights defenders in the Asia-Pacific region. Some trainers,
including Sarah Pritchard, PhD, Philip Chung, Professor Paul Redmond,
Ravi Nair, and Professor Garth Nettheim have contributed generously overmany years. Their contribution enables the dtp to help others to make a realdifference for human rights commitment. Dtp would like to acknowledge
the special contribution of Jose Campino, a senior UN official and longstanding friend of José Ramos-Horta who year after year travelled at his
own expense to teach on dtp’s programs. Jose Campino died in 2006. His
generosity of spirit and commitment to the work of human rights defenders
expressed well the mission of dtp and the values it seeks to promote.
While human rights education is a foundational pillar forthe achievement of human rights, it often is not undertaken or isunder-recognised in Australia. The dtp program is unique andinvaluable in filling this gap. The recent training on Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander youth rights demonstrated how effectively the program supports and harnesses the talents andcommitment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men andwomen towards the achievement of human rights.—Alison G
Aggarwal, Senior Policy Officer, Social Justice Unit, Australian
Human Rights Commission, and dtp Trainer
Dtp is very relevant to the urgent human rights issues
confronting peoples now. Dtp highlights empowerment ofIndigenous peoples which is essential in the defense of andclaiming of human rights. The training program also tackles
corporate accountability which is an urgent concern considering
threats to human rights posed by corporations.—Dr. Aurora
Parong, Executive Director, Amnesty International Philippines,
and dtp Trainer
Each year I look forward to participating in [the] dtp training. The commitment and enthusiasm of the human rights defenders present, and their eagerness to learn new ideas and ap-

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proaches stands out, as does the care that the dtp organizers
take to identify a diverse range of participants from across the
Asia-Pacific region. This makes working with them on how touse video and related online technologies in their campaigns areal mutual learning experience.—Sam Gregory, Asia Program
Director, witness and dtp Trainer.
Empowering Others to Make A Difference
Since 1989 the dtp has trained over one thousand six hundred human rights
and community advocates from over thirty countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Many of its alumni make major contributions to human rights at national and international levels.
All across the region efforts to build peace and strengthen democracy
and to protect human rights are being pursued—often at great personalrisk—by advocates who are courageous enough to stand up against corruption, injustice and oppression. These advocates are making a real differencein their communities and in our region. The dtp delivers direct help to those
who most need it, those at the frontline of efforts to make their governments
respect, protect and fulfil human rights.
The impact of the dtp’s training depends on its ability to attract talented, self-motivated individuals, committed to working with others to promote and protect human rights. These individuals return to their organizations and communities and share their knowledge and experience, andcontinue their work to build societies that respect and protect human rights.
The Diplomacy Training Program was of great help to mywork as a human rights defender, and now as a real diplomat
for independent Timor-Leste. The Diplomacy Training Program
was there for us in East Timor, and it is wonderful that it is there
now for others, helping them to work more effectively for theirpeople and communities, to promote and protect human rights
in the region. - His Excellency Abel Guterres, Consul-Generalof the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Australia, andAlumnus
Looking back, dtp really helped me on the things I do,whether it’s photography or video, or being in an organization
or as an individual...I will be pursuing a photo documentary on
child labor at the mining sites in my province.—Toto Lozano,photojournalist and human rights advocate, the Philippines, andAlumnus92

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The training I received from dtp has proved invaluable. I
have gained a more ‘in depth’ knowledge and understanding ofinternational human rights instruments and the UN system. I
am now able to participate in these forums and processes in amore meaningful way. Knowledge gained of international humanrights has also informed the work and approach of the National
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization (naccho).—Dea Delaney Thiele, Chief Executive Officer, National
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization (naccho), Alumna and dtp Trainer
The lessons learnt at the dtp have provided me with goodexperiences and knowledge to share with my colleagues. The different themes of its programs are designed in accordance with
the important human rights situations today. Therefore, I amvery supportive of the ongoing effort by dtp to mobilize andstrengthen the ngo workers to advocate for a better situation
for human rights within my country and the Asia-Pacific region.—Jeudy Oeung, Executive Secretary, Cambodian Human
Rights Action Committee (chrac), and Alumnus
The dtp material/manual is a big help. I’m using it right now
as a resource for our regional consultation on effective implementation of our Anti-Trafficking Law—specifically the rightsbased approach. I’ll be coming up with project proposals soon,
and I hope to make use of the network, knowledge and material from dtp.—Cristina Sevilla, the Philippines, Child Justice
League Inc., and Alumna
After the dtp program I started the Foundation for Dialogues
on Indigenous Culture and Environment (dice Foundation). I
must say that the conceptualization and the formation can be
attributed to the ideas and exposure developed during my stayin East Timor. Since 2006 dice has been working on mobilizing
the communities in the oil bearing areas in Nagaland to challenge the various oil corporations against exploitations and environmental degradations.—Mmhonlumo Kikon, Director,
Dialogues on Indigenous Culture and Environment (diceFoundation), and Alumnus

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The dtp is the first international human rights institution
which has trained and inspired me to learn about the international human rights instruments and mechanisms. It has inspired me to work on [advocating for] human rights and fundamental freedoms for Indigenous Peoples. I am very muchgrateful to dtp for the training which has helped me to move
forward as a human rights defender.—Binota Moy Dhamai,
Human Rights Advocacy Coordinator, Asia Indigenous Peoples
Pact, Chittagong Hill Tracts Student Council (pcp), Bangladesh,and Alumnus
You are never too old to learn something new that you canpersonally benefit from. Dtp training has done this for me at
the tender age of 56 where I was a trainee in Wellington, New
Zealand.—Brian Wyatt, Executive Director, Goldfields Landand Sea Council, Alumnus and dtp Trainer

Future Direction
The context for dtp’s work has changed considerably since it was established, and there are new challenges for human rights to add to the old ones.
The dtp needs to respond to these changes through both the content andfocus of its courses, and its training methodology. New technology is opening up new avenues and opportunities for strategic advocacy and mobilizing global civil society—and for training and capacity-building. With overtwenty years of experience in working with the broad movement for humanrights in the Asia-Pacific region, and having provided training to over one
thousand six hundred human rights defenders and community advocates,
dtp needs to work out how it can best play a role in supporting those working for human rights on the ground across the region. The only thing thatcan be said with certainty is that there is more need than ever to build theknowledge and skills of human rights defenders and community advocates.
Endnotes
1. Garth Nettheim,, “Chance Beginnings – The Establishment of the Diplomacy
Training Program,” in The Diplomacy Training Program - Marking 20 Years ofCommitment to Building Human Rights Capacity in the Asia-Pacific - 1989–2009(Sydney: The Diplomacy Training Program, 2009).

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2. José Ramos-Horta, “Promoting Shared Values – A Message from Founderand Patron,” in The Diplomacy Training Program - Marking 20 Years of Commitment
to Building Human Rights Capacity in the Asia-Pacific - 1989–2009, ibid., page 1.
3. Nettheim, op. cit.
4. Working in Partnership across the Asia-Pacific Region DTP’s programs havebeen held with the following partners in the region:•
Action for Economic Reforms (AER), Philippines•
Amnesty International New Zealand•
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum Asia)•
Asia-Pacific Regional Resource Center for Human Rights Education(ARRC)•
Australian Human Rights Centre•
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, Australia•
Business Watch Indonesia•
CARAM Cambodia•
Caritas Australia•
Centre for Indonesian Migrant Workers•
Cividep-India•
Council for International Development (CID), New Zealand•
Forum Tau Matan, Timor-Leste•
The Fred Hollows Foundation, Australia•
Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), Indonesia•
Institute of Human Rights, University of the Philippines•
Lawyers for Human Rights and Development (LHRD), Sri Lanka•
Mahidol University, Thailand•
Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC)•
Migrant Forum Asia•
Northern Land Council•
Oxfam Australia•
Pacific Concerns Resource Centre, Fiji•
Peace and Democracy Foundation, Timor-Leste•
Philippine Association for Inter-Cultural Development•
Pusat Komas (Community Communication Centre), Malaysia•
Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit, University of Dhaka•
South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre, India•
Welfare Association of Repatriated Bangladeshi Employees (WARBE)
5. DTP Trainers•
Aderito Soares, Director , Sahe Institute for Liberation , Timor -Leste•
Alison Aggarwal, Senior Policy Officer , Social Justice Unit , Australian
Human Rights Commission•
Alison Tate, International Officer, Australian Council of Trade Unions•
André Frankovits, Director , Human Rights Council of Australia•
Annie Pettitt, Child Rights Specialist, Save the Children, Australia•
Aurora Parong, Director , Amnesty International-Philippines Section

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Bill Barker, Former Director, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Human Rights and Indigenous Issues Section, Australia
Brian Wyatt, Executive Director , Goldfields Land and Sea Council ,Australia
Ced Simpson, Former Executive Director, Amnesty International Aotearoa
New ZealandCharles Santiago, Member of Parliament , Malaysia
Clarence Dias, President, International Center for Law in Development ,New York
Dalee Sambo Dorough, University of Alaska , Anchorage
Darren Dick, Director, Social Justice Unit, Australian Human Rights
Commission
Dea Delaney Thiele, CEO, National Aboriginal Community Controlled
Health Organisation (NACCHO), Australia
Elizabeth Evatt, AC Fmr Member UN Human Rights Committee,
Commissioner, International Commission of Jurists
Filomeno Sta. Ana, Coordinator and Co-Founder, Action for Economic
Reforms, the Philippines
Garth Nettheim AO, Emeritus Professor, University of New South Wales(UNSW) Faculty of Law
Gerald Pachoud, Special Adviser to Professor John Ruggie, UN Secretary
General's Special Representative for Business and Human Rights
Glenda Gloria, Chief Operating Officer, ABS-CBN News Channel, thePhilippines
Graeme Innes, Human Rights Commissioner and Disability Discrimination
Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
Hilary Charlesworth AM, Director , Centre for International Governanceand Justice , Australian National University-Canberra (ANU), Canberra
Ineke Boerefijn, Research Fellow, UNSW Faculty of Law, Associate
Professor, Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM)Jacqui Katona, Former CEO, Lumbu Indigenous Community Foundation,
Australia
Jane McAdam, Associate Professor , UNSW Faculty of Law
Jane Stratton, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility , Gilbert + Tobin
Lawyers
Janelle Saffin, MP Federal Member for Page
Jerald Joseph, Board Member of Pusat Komas (Community Communication
Centre), Malaysia
John Pace, Former Secretary, Commission on Human Rights , Geneva
Justine Nolan, Deputy Director of the Australian Human Rights Centre ,UNSWKatie Kiss, Senior Policy Officer, Australian Human Rights Commission
Kavi Chongkittavorn, Assistant group editor of Nation Multimedia Group,
Thailand
Khaldoun Hajaj, Researcher, Financial Services Consumer Policy Centre,
UNSW

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Kieren Fitzpatrick, Director, Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights
Institutions, Australia
Kirsty Parker, Editor, Koori Mail , UNSW
Larry Jagan, Freelance Journalist and former Asia affairs editor for the BBC
Les Malezer, Chairperson, Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander
Research Action (FAIRA)Louise Williams, Associate Director, UNSW International Office
Marc Purcell Executi ve Director, Australian Council for International
Development
Megan Davis, Director , Indigenous Law Centre , UNSWMichihiro Ishibashi, Senior Specialist on Workers' Activities , ILO
Mick Dodson, AM Director, National Centre for Indigenous Studies ,Australian National Uni versity
Nicola Bullard, Focus on the Global South, Thailand
Nicholas Howen, Secretary-general, Management Team leader,International Commission of Jurists
Philip Chung, Executive Director, Australasian Legal Information Institute(Aust LII), Sydney and Director of the DTPPaul Hunt, Former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to HealthRavi Nair, Director, South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre ,India
Richard Boele, Founder and Managing Director, Banarra Sustainability
Assurance and Advice, Australia
Robynne Quiggin, Lawyer, Sydney
Sam Gregory, Program Director, WITNESS, New YorkSam Maresh, Former Adviser to the Victorian and NSW Governments
Sarah Pritchard, Barrister -at -law and Director of the DTP
Scott Leckie, Executive Director, Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions(COHRE)
Serena Lillywhite Mining, Ombudsman, Oxfam Australia
Shanthi Dairiam, Expert Member, CEDAW Committee, Kuala Lumpur
Theresa Limpin, Former Coordinator, Asia-Pacific Regional Resource
Center for Human Rights Education (ARRC)
Tyler Gianini, Earth Rights International
Vitit Muntarbhorn, Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the saleof children , child prostitution and child pornography
William Gois, Regional Coordinator, Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA)