This fall, 21Wilberforce and The Global Religious Freedom Center at Dallas Baptist University, in collaboration with partner universities in Nigeria and Southeast Asia, will launch a three-week online workshop designed to equip students with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for effective human rights reporting. The program is tailored to address the unique socio-political landscapes of these regions, ensuring participants are prepared to engage with local realities in meaningful and impactful ways.
In an increasingly globalized world, reporting on human rights from the field has become indispensable in the pursuit of transparency, justice, and accountability. As conflicts, displacement, state oppression, and structural inequalities continue to affect millions across borders, field-based human rights reporting plays a crucial role in documenting lived realities that often remain invisible to the wider world. Whether through direct observation, survivor testimonies, or the collection of forensic and statistical evidence, this form of reporting provides the raw, on-the-ground data that informs policy, drives advocacy, and supports legal processes at both national and international levels. Unlike desk-based analysis or media summaries, field reporting often involves working in unstable or hostile environments, navigating ethical complexities, and building trust with vulnerable populations. It is this frontline presence that gives such reporting its power—bearing witness, capturing nuance, and ensuring that abuses are neither overlooked nor forgotten.
Universities can play a transformative role in advocating for and upholding human rights. As spaces for critical inquiry and intellectual freedom, they are uniquely positioned to challenge dominant narratives, expose injustices, and cultivate the next generation of human rights defenders. Through interdisciplinary research, public engagement, and partnerships with affected communities, universities can serve as both watchdogs and incubators—amplifying marginalized voices while developing evidence-based solutions to systemic violations.
Philosophical and Legal Foundations
The first week will provide a comprehensive foundation, covering the philosophical, ethical, and legal principles that underpin human rights reporting. Topics will include the origins and evolution of human rights, the role of Christian values in shaping human rights, and an overview of national and international human rights laws. These sessions aim to foster a deep understanding of why human rights reporting matters and its power to bring about societal change.
Human Rights Research Skills
The second week will immerse students in hands-on human rights research. Participants will be tasked with researching a human rights issue, encouraging them to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts. The nature and scope of the human rights issue will be chosen by the participants in consultation with the course facilitators. It must be limited enough in scope to be feasible to cover during the short period of the course. Teams of students may choose to work together on the same topic. The students will receive regular guidance for research, interviewing, evidence gathering, and reporting while maintaining the safety, confidentiality, and dignity of those involved. Activities will also address challenges in reporting sensitive issues, equipping participants with strategies to navigate these obstacles.
Presentations and Real-World Applications
In the final week, students will present their findings and insights, encouraging peer review and constructive critique. They will explore the real-world applications of their work, considering how their reports might impact policy and social awareness. This final stage aims to bridge theory and practice, underscoring the practical implications and responsibilities of human rights reporting.
Students who attend and actively participate in the full workshop will receive a Certificate of Completion from Dallas Baptist University.
This workshop is designed to equip students with the knowledge and tools to:
- Understand and apply the ethical, philosophical, and legal foundations of human rights reporting.
- Conduct meaningful and impactful human rights research.
- Translate research findings into actionable strategies that influence policy and drive positive societal change.
September 2, 2025